Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-01-11
PEANUT POLITICS FOR A START

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The legislature starts off with an exhibition of rather small
politics. The socaled Camden ripper bill was jammed through the
House under suspension of rules on the first day of the session and
an attempt was made to put it through the senate, but something
slipped. 1t is scheduled for passage as soon as the senate recon-
Tenes, however, furnishing another fine example of legislative in
reference with municipal government.
Several years ago the city of Paterson wanted to make a few
changes in her form Of government. AS usual, it was necessary to
go to the legislature for permission. But as other cities did not
care to have Paterson dictate what form Of government they
should have, the act as passed applied only. to cities of a certain
population. The figures were so fixed that it would apply to Pat
srson and no other municipality. 1t was special legislation pure
and simple in defiance of the constitution, but what's the consti-
tuition when a certain municipality wants to put something over
that other municipalities do not want?
It must have been realized that sooner or later other cities
would grow SO as to come within the law that was intended to ap-
ply only to Paterson, but that was neither here nor there away
back in 1907 when the act was passed. Future legislatures could
worry about that.
Now. it so happens that the old Republican stronghold of Cam
den so long dominated by Davy Baird upset the apple cart at the
last election and selected a Democrat for mayor. This new mayor
is a live wire. He has rather peculiar ideas about municipal gov
eminent judging from his first annual message to the Camden
council.
For instance, this new Democratic mayor of Camden comes
right out in open meeting and declares that Camden is overburden-
ed with almost useless officials and employees, drawing fat salaries,
more than in any community of about the same size in New Jersey
Then this new mayor of Camden is reckless enough to boldly de-
clare, 'I think it is shameful to pay city employees for doing
n~nothing.'
And the new mayor of Camden proceeds to put his words into
practice. 1t seems that the mayors office is provided with a Sec
retary, a captain of police, a chauffeur and the maintenance of an
automobile, costing the taxpayers about $4,000 a year. The new
mayor says he doesn't need a ~bodyguard or a chauffeur, and ne
viii get along with only "a secretary who will be on hand in the
office during business hours regularly.
Camden new mayor also proposes to cut administration eX-
penses all along the line and to use part of the money thus saved
for health, charities, parks and Fairgrounds.
A very important part of the new administrative plans
that Camden's new mayor has in mind is the Paterson form of
government. But having been under Republican domination so
long. all these sinecures and municipal offices that the mayor
would abolish by a reorganization of the city government, are fill
cd by perfectly good Republicans who, being faithful heutenants
Of Davy Baird, have had soft berths provided for them at the e1-
pense of the people of Camden. These men see themselves sudden
" face to face with the necessity of having to go to work for a
living, and there is an awful howl.
incidentally, the Baird forces have won out thus far III the
struggle for control of the legislative machinery and 81 1t was nat-
ural that as soon as the wheels began to revolve at Trenton the
first bills to be put into the hopper were bills taking from the new
Democrats mayor of Camden the power he has under the law Oh
1907 that was intended only for Paterson.
The whip is snapped, and, presto! the necessary action is
taken. The Republican legislators fall in line to do this dirty work
in order to save the skins Of their colleagues who are basklng IN the
sinecures Of the Camden municipal government and who do not
want to be disturbed. 1t is so decidedly peanut politics all the
way through that it makes a bad impression at the very outset OF
the legislative session. 1t reflects no credit on the Republican ma
jorty in the legislature.
But it only goes to prove once more the fact that PohtfcS Bic
4e curse of our municipal government.