Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-10-06
THE PLATFORMS COMPARED

While there is a certain amount of hedging on the
prohibition issue in both party platforms as adopted at the
Republican and Democratic state conventions which were
held in Trenton on Tuesday, a careful comparison Of the
two declarations of principles shows the Republican posi-
ton much to be perferred. While it is not to be expected
that everyone can agree with all that either party stands for,
q choice has got to be made and the careful, conscientious
voter will weigh the merits of the respective platforms and
vote for the candidates pledged to carry out the principles
that come the nearest to his ideals.
AS we said yesterday, the Republican party lacks the
courage to stand firmly behind its own legislation in regard
to prohibition enforcement, known as the Van Ness act. 1t
does, however, re-afirm the party policy for "honest and
impartial enforcement" of the eighteenth amendment and
the laws relating thereto.
On the other hand, the Democrats, while declaring that
there can be no difference of opinion about honest law en-
ssrcement, as the law of the land must be observed or order
Is government will cease" proceed to tear to pieces the law
Us it stands and give every reason to believe that if they are
fiven the power they will nullify the dry part of the con-
sttution to which they are so bitterly opposed.
While the overland "dry'' issue cannot be said to be
clearly drawn between the two parties as some would have
lis believe, there is no question as to the attitude the two
parties will take if elected. The Democrats will not only re-
peal the Van Ness act which is New jerseys prohibition en-
forcement law, but they pledge themselves to use their in
fluence to repeal the Volstead act, which was passed by
congress, as well.
The Republicans, apparently, stand ready to amend the
Van Ness act if the courts hold any section Of the act un-
constitutional, and the matter is now pending in the courts of
the state. But should the courts uphold the Van Ness act as
it stands, the Republicans will doubtless let it alone.
Looking at the prohibition issue from this point of
view, the VETS M tnOSe VINO favor Jne liquor interests, |
will back the Democratic party in the present campaign.
The 'tdrys' and those who stand for unfolding the eight
centh amendment, which is now a part of the fundamental
law of the land, will stand by the Republican party.
No particular issue is made of economy by either party.
ion the contrary, both declare in favor of the $i4, 900, 900
bond issue which the people are to pass upon at the coming
detection. The Republicans, however, pledge Legislative
ysa feguard against municipal or county increase in borrow
{ng power. They also deplore the appeals by city and county
officials to the legislature for salary increases.
The Republicans likewise declare in favor of a re-
AUCTION in federal taxes, with which the candidates who are
running on this platform have nothing to do, but not a word
IS said about state taxes and extravagances with which, if
elected, they will have everything to do.
Both parties declare their opposition to a state income
tax, which is well. No such tax would be necessary if New
Jersey had the right kind of economy at Trenton.
The Republicans, also, will win much favor by declar-
ing in favor of "open and uniform specifications on all public
road work" Here is something that affects the pocketbook of
every taxpayer and il is of particular interest to the voters of
Middlesex county where so much money has been wasted
nn patent pavements.
1t is only fair to say, however, that the Democratic
legislative candidates, as we'll as the Republicans, as far as
this county is concerned, are on record in favor of open
specifications, but the Democratic party has ignored this
very important issue as far as its state platform is con-
cerned.
Both parties stand for comprehensive port development,
which means that practically whatever plan the newly Gre
nted Port of New York Authority presents to the legislaturei
this winter will be adopted. The significance of this ought
rot to be lost on the people of the Raritan section which is
vitality affected.
Perhaps nothing else was to be expected, but the plank in
the Democratic platform indorsing Governor Edwards's rec
ord is enough to drive every decent voter into the Republican
ranks this fall. If a vote for the Democratic ticket means an
Endorsement of all that Governor Edwards stands for andf
has stood for, nothing more is needed to clinch the Republi-
can victory. 1t is the last straw and we do not believe the
rank and file of New Jersey voters will stand for it.
CONCRETE FOR WOODBRIDGE