Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-09-27

The idea that more and more money in in
creasing amounts has got to be spent in orde
to keep up with progress is all wrong. TIL
whole country is honeycombed with extrava
gances and abuses which, If went at in the RICH
way, might be eliminated furnishing ample fund
to carry on the Improvements that are so badl!
needed. But it will mean considerable work t.
weed out these sore spots and why go to all tina
trouble when taxes can be raised another motel
or more bonds can be issued?
There is good reason to believe that the peo
PIE ar sick and tired of the high taxes they are
paying. II they are they can begin right now tt
bring about a remedy.
They can insist upon the one word economy
being the main issue in the coming political
campaign.
They can make each candidate pledge himself
or herself to work for economy all along the
line.
They can inquire into the record of public
officials and defeat those who have been the
most prolific s%penders.
They can refuse to give the various boards
more money to spend, at the same time they can
insist upon having the Improvements that are
wanted. Once the officials find that the people
are aroused in this matter they will find a way
to accomplish tnaC WHICH rs HeCesodiy.
Here in Middlesex county we have the matter
Of paving the highways. Patent pavements at
excessive costs have been laid; enormous ex-
penses in hire have been paid out of
the county treasury. High priced automobiles
have been bought for county officials to ride
around in and now the county is about to buy
four-low priced cars, to be sure,-but -FOUR
sedan cars for more county officials to ride about
in. A few years ago there were no automobiles.
vet the law was enforced about as well In those
days as it is now. How did the officials do II!
How did they get along then without all these
automobiles to ride around in when there were
no automobiles?
The state of New Jersey has been ignoring the
requirements of it's dependents year after year.
refusing to properly house the inmates of the
various institutions until present conditions are
scandalous. But as long as the legislatures ana
various state boards could spend the peoples
money for other things, why bother with state
institutions? The state leaders felt, doubtless,
that sooner or later the people would be willing
to do almost anything to properly care for these
poor unfortunates and therefore they would put
off making repairs or additions until the people
would stand for a tremendous bond issue. in the
HledIllIlc QolH6 tIO oIoSO ANAiNS
devoted to these poor creatures for something
else less worthy-raisin salaries for sinecures,
for instance.
Sure enough. the appeal for the bond issue mas
GENE. The people are to be asked to approve,
ut the coming general election in November, a
state bond issue for 100000 to build needed
additions to various state institutions such as the
asylum for the insane the home for the feeble
minded, the home for the epileptics and so
forth. OF course, the sympathy Of the people is
to be appealed to.
But why have not the state officials shown a
little sympathy in this directions? AS long
as the people will vote for these bond issues and
stand for increased taxes, why should the Off
Gals sympathize with anybody? Have not the
voters already approved spending millions Tor
bridges and tunnels over and under rivers 10
Philadelphia and New York? Have they not
consented in increased taxes so that money can
be squandered on patent pavements all over the
state? Whenever a referendum is put up to
salaries or establish pension funds do
not the people always vote, "Yes?' Is it any
wonder that men in office spend money so freely
when all they have to do is to ask for it and
receive it?
The taxpayer who is sick and tired OF nigh
taxes will vote No in no mistaken terms this
fall on this question of a bond issue for $14 .0O0,-
600 to bring the state institutions up to do date.
At the same time, they will see to it that the
men they elect to the legislature are pledged to
stop the extravagances or worse, at Trenton, and
out of the saving thus made. make such addi-
lions and Improvements to the state buildings as
are absolutely necessary.
Money comes entirely too easily for these fell
lows who have the handling of public funds. A
genuine uprising among the taxpayers against
their methods and a firm determination to GUST
every mothers son of them who continues to
Gefy such sentiment would have its effect. A
beginning can be made today at the primaries
and the work can be finished up at the election
in November. 1t is time to put an end to the
high taxes. Once the officials see that it is not
50 easy to get the money out of the people and
that the taxpayers are actually in rebellion
against existing methods, things will be different.
II they want to hold their jobs they will find
ways of doing things without increasing taxes
and flooding the country with bonds.
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