Palisadian., 1923-03-30
ANOTHER BATTLE OF TRENTON

The New York Times of last Thurs
DAY contained the following interest
ing editorial on the recent legislative
session at Trenton:
There is no doubt that Governor
Silzer of New Jersey is right when he
says that "the outstanding thing"
about the session Of the Legislature
has been the interest aroused in the
minds of the voters by the proceed
ings. Not since the administration OF
Governor Wilson has party policies,
the relations of the Executive with
Trenton, and actual accomplishment
been so much discussed. But there
is a difference to be noted. Governor
Silzer was confronted by a hostile
Legislature, and brought to the task
of leadership no such prestige as
Governor Wilson enjoyed. Governor
Silzer had to fight for his policies
every day of the session, and with
success always doubtful. He adopted
the only course open to him: he ap-
pealed to the people for their support.
He never hesitated to characterize the
opposition in terms that could not be
misunderstood. On the issue of high
way construction, which had been
talked about in every voting district
of the State, he took an unassailable
position. The roads, to be paid for
by the sale of bonds, must cost the
taxpayers only what they are worth,
and they must be of the best material.
When the Governor sent his selec-
tions for the Highway Commission to
the Senate the Republicans committed
the strategic blunder of objecting to
two of them for political reasons. AS
the nominees were men of repute, the
Governor had only to refuse to bar
gain and the opposition would be con-
founded. In the end his commission
was really confirmed by the Repub-
lican independents. Thenceforth the
Democratic Governor had the public
ear But he gained only by showing
fighting spirit and inviting public
scrutiny of his policies. The whole
State looked on as the Republicans
played, their political game to embar-
'rass a Governor whose only weapon
was popular approval. The Demo
cratic representation in the Legis-
lature was of little help to him. Mr..
Silzer does not exaggerate when he
says:
do not believe that ever before
in the history of the State have
the people known so much about
what their legislators were doing
at Trenton. Never before have
they seen the wheels go round.
Never before have they looked so
far on the inside.
Every underhand move of the
politicians was brought to the atten-
tion of the people. either by the Gov
ernor himself or by the press, which
gave more publicity to the doings of
the Legislature than usual. Mr..
Silzer acknowledges that he owes
much of his success to the women OF
the State. They believed that he was
rendering public service unsefishly,
and their attendance at the sessions
was noticeable, both for numbers and
for earnestness. The Governor does
not deny that some things of impor-
tance stand to the credit Of the Re-
publican majority, "but almost every
one of them," he says, was wrung
from the Legislature by the force of
public opinion" The Governor wrote
many vetoes, but about half the bills
he objected to were repassed. He
would be more than human if he were
right in all cases. One of the Re-
publican leaders, Senator Stevens,
who was instrumental in confirming
the Highway Commission appoint
ments, taxes the Governor with incon-
sistency in his vetoes. But the Re-
publican record for the session is
vulnerable, so much so that the people
of New Jersey must share the relief
of the Governor that the Legislature
has adjourned.