The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1923-01-18
lNAlevRAl ADDRESS
or GEORGE S. SILzER,
GOVERNOR OF N. j


spirit of service. Approached in this
way. the burden will be light and fun
of interest. and promise.
Each succeeding generation brings
its own problems; the problems OF
yesterday seem comparatively in
significant with those of today.
Those of the present and future loom
larger because they must be met and
solved now.
The completely of modern life
brings its problems. The healthy ex-
pansion of business must be provided
for: means Of transportation ade-
uuate for other days and other condl
tons must be. improved and enlarged.
Individual needs and requirements
must be cared for The requirements
Of an advanced civilization, rich in
invention and adept at organization,
are many, complicated and compel
ling.
Our fathers, in setting up our form
Of government. profited by their own
bitter experiences, seeking to avoid
the pitfalls, sought to guard against
recurrence of the evils from which
they had been delivered. Through
their unselfish efforts, democracy
was born, and the preservation OK
that democracy depends upon the ex-
crcise of eternal vigilance" on the
part of the citizens Of the state and
Of the nation.
Our government, whether 1t be In
the city, state or nation, will be pow
erful and good in proportion to the
interest that we take In its admins
tration. But we are giving too little
thought to government and, by our
indifference, are frequently entrust-
ing it to others who are not solicitous
Of the common good.
It shall be our purpose to put gov
eminent back into the hands of the
people; to arouse them to full reali-
cation of the necessity of regaining
their own government, keeping 1t,
guarding it, and jealously insisting
upon their rights under it.
What is the situation, and what are
the conditions in city, state, and ma
don which invite the criticism Of the
citizen and which make him suspi-
cious of government itself? Every
where Special Privilege shows its
ugly head. Combinations are permit
ted to thrive, seemingly unhampered
and uncontrolled, placing those out
side the combinations at disadyan-
fage. Competition is crushed and
T~oe0-ontf01 1oxuo ora
sassed, but no effective methods are
devised or employed to prohibit prac-
eices which at every turn harass the
ordinary citizen and permit one class
TO press upon another. Special Priv1-
iege is either permitted by law or not
prohibited by law.
These things, against which we
protest, have been matter of nat
ural growth arising out of modern
methods OF doing business. They are
the fruitage of the efforts of those
who desire, with selfish purpose, to
IN their own purses. They call to
their assistance the art Of propaganda
TO influence the pubic mind.
This art, used first for public and
patriotic purposes, was soon turned
Into mercenary and selfish channels.
This method CT propaganda is used
By those who wish to influence either
the enactment or defeat of legislation
and to mould public opinion. Those
seeking these ends accomplish their
purpose in this way because there is
no counter propaganda on the part
of the great mass Of people, who are.
so sadly unrepresented and never
seek to combine their forces either
Tor prefarment or protest.
We must take hold of this situation
now. If it is permitted to go on, we
VIII face greater dangers than those
which now confront US. The perma-
nency of our institutions depends
npon the promptness and the courage
with which We mesS our Responsible
ties.
The limits Of this occasion do not
peymit OF extended and detailed treat
mert Of the various problems that
press for solution I shall, however,
take the liberty to refer in brief
way to certain phases of the larger
problems which require immediate
action.
Platform Pledges
Good faith on the part of indivfd-
uals and of political parties is of the
very essence of these things. It be-
hooves us to keep faith with the cleo
torate who have just spoken. We
sought their suffrage and support
upon the basis of certain pledges
solemnly made concerning things we
intended to do and the laws we pro-
posed to enact These pledges must
be inviolably kept or we shall justly
merit rebuke and reputation at the
hands of deceived and disappointed
people.
The pledges made by both parties
are clear, and, while in most essen
tials they differ but slightly, there
oau be no excuse for delay or for nom
fulIfllment In all efforts in this di-
rection made by the party having
legislative control, my cooperation
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