Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1921-10-04
Democrats for Repeal.
DEMOCRATS DEMAND REPEAL
OF THE Van NESS ACT

TRENTON, Oct. 4:-With a plat
form whipped into shape by North
Jersey leaders of the party yester-
day, delegates to the number of
ninety gathered here today for the
annual Democratic state convention.
Following the calling of the meeting
to order by Charles F. Mcdonald, of
Monmouth, state chairman, it was
expected that Governor Edwards. of
Hudson. would be chosen as perma-
nent chairman.
Action taken at the conference in
the governors Office this morning in
dicates that the Democrats will
make the liquor issue in the coming
campaign of the legislature clear
cut. The G.. o. p. will today stand
by the Van Ness law and the candi-
dates of two parties will go to bat
on that question. 1t is likely that
the Democrats will urge another en-
forcement act to be of milder terms
and carrying a trial by jury and
other features which the Van Ness
law excludes.
The Democrat platform will also
urge congress to modify the present
Volstead act so as to permit some
freedom in the use of beverages
which are now tabooed. The plat
form will not specifically say what
the amendment should be. There is
likely to be plank opposing any at
tempt to place an income tax on the
people of this state. Indications
point to a rundown for any endorse
ment for the S14.00O,000 bond issue
for state institutions.
Mrs. H. Otto Wittpen, of Jersey
City, and Mrs. Philip McKim Garri-
son. of Essex. Democratic women
leaders. this morning asked the con-
ference in the governor Office to
approve this measure, but the re-
quest was not granted. The work of
the State Highway Commission will
be endorsed and there may be a
plank criticising the creation of a
state constabulary.
Endorsement of the State Athletic
Commission and the manner in
which it conducted the Dempsey
Carpenter fight in Jersey City. will
be one of the planks in the Demo-
cratic platform. The convention will
go on record in favor of the Hurley
boxing law without change.
The Hudson assembly candidates
will offer planks to enable cities to
go into the business of erecting
homes. Related subjects will deal
with the profiteering by landlords
and means OF relieving housing con-
gestion. Continued support will be
placed for completion of the COM
prehensive road building program
inaugurated under the jurisdiction of
the State Highway Commission.
Governor Edwards is reported to
favor a s50,000.0 900 bond issue to fl
nance the highway departments
construction program.
An attack on the work of the last
Republican legisla-
ture was expected to be a leading
feature of the platform. which will
not be adopted until late this after
noon. The Van Ness prohibition en-
forcement act was also scheduled for
criticism and it is likely that the
Democratic delegates will go on rec
ord as favoring a modification of the
drastic provisions of that measure.
Praise for Edwards
Governor Edwards action in GUST
ing the old Public Utility Board and
his general administration of state
affairs Will be lauded in glowing
terms.
1t is expected that James r.
the Essex leader, will take
a leading part in the drafting of the
planks relating to the Van Ness act
and other legislation which has TO
do with the question of prohibition.
The Democratic convention has
less delegates by eight than the Re-
publican because the latter party has
more hold-over state senators. The
Democrats will seat three hold-over
seven senatorial candidates.
sixty who aspire to be members of
he assembly. twenty-one members
Of the state committee and. under
he law, the governor of the state.
p A. Hdwe. for the best in tools for all
tradex