

NEW JERSEY. 



575 



corporation, with $5,000,000 capital stock. 

 A supplement was added to the law for the 

 prevention of bribery passed the preceding 

 year, extending its provisions to the election 

 of electors for President and Vice-President 

 of the United States. 



By the Federal census of 1870, New Jersey 

 is entitled to seven representatives in Con- 

 gress, instead of five, as formerly ; it became, 

 therefore, the duty of the Legislature to re- 

 apportion the districts. 



There seems to have been unusual interest 

 manifested throughout the State during the 

 summer in national politics, owing to the 

 novel attitude of the national political parties. 

 No less than seven State Conventions were 

 held, at which resolutions were passed em- 

 bodying the various phases of political senti- 

 ment throughout the State, both before and 

 after the action of the national conventions. 

 The Republican Convention, called to choose 

 delegates to the Philadelphia National Conven- 

 tion, assembled at Trenton May 23d, and 

 adopted the following resolutions : 



The Eepublicans of New Jersey, in State Conven- 

 tion assembled, at Trenton, May 23, 1872, make the 

 following declaration of principles: 



1. We recognize the great principles laid down in 

 the immortal Declaration of Independence as the 

 true foundation of democratic government, and AVC 

 hail with gladness every sincere eifort toward mak- 

 ing these principles a living reality on every inch of 

 American soil. 



2. The wisdom of the passage of the thirteenth, 

 fourteenth^ and fifteenth amendments to the Consti- 

 tution having been fully demonstrated by their op- 

 eration, we are opposed to any repeal or modification 

 thereof 



3. We favor the removal of the disqualifications 

 and restrictions imposed upon the late rebels in the 

 same measure as tneir spirit of loyalty will direct, 

 and as may be consistent with the safety of the loyal 

 people, and we approve the recent action of Con- 

 gress in the passage of the amnesty bill as a wise 

 step in that direction. 



4. We are heartily in favor of such a reformation 

 in the civil service that good character and ability 

 shall be the chief recommendations to office, and 

 not political service rendered or to be rendered- 

 therefore, we cordially indorse the appointment and 

 labors of the Civil Service Commission, and the 

 messages of President Grant thereon. 



5. We desire the early and total repeal of the in- 

 come-tax and franking privilege. 



6. While remembering we have a large national 

 debt which must be paid, with accruing interest, we 

 nevertheless desire that the burdens of taxation 

 should be removed from the people as rapidly as the 

 national faith will permit. 



7. We take especial pride in commending the 

 economy of the national Administration in all its 

 branches, and with gratification we point to the fact 

 that since the inauguration of President Grant the 

 national debt has been reduced $328,000,000. 



8. We are in favor of such legislation as will se- 

 cure to all men equal and exact justice under the 

 laws, Avithout regard to color, creed, or race. 



9. We earnestly invite all those who for any cause 

 are temporarily alienated, and yet believe in repub- 

 lican doctrines, to unite in mutual concessions with 

 us in preserving intact the ever-living principles of 

 that great party that saved the nation, crushed re- 

 bellion, freed the slaves, enfranchised the bondmen, 

 and brought peace and prosperity out of rebellion 

 and discord. 



10. We acknowledge our gratitude and deep obli- 

 gation to the soldiers and sailors of the republic, 

 who on land and sea fought the nation's battles 

 against the armed hosts of the South ; as they have 

 proved their devotion and fealty in the past when 

 the life of our country was in danger, and as com- 

 binations are forming which may jeopardize the 

 great results of tho wa-r ? we call upon them again to 

 give us their powerful aid and support in maintaining 

 our republican principles and the priceless legacies 

 of the war against all and every combination what- 

 soever. 



11. We fully kidorse the Administration of Presi- 

 dent Grant, and believe that the best and highest 

 interests of our country demand the renomination 

 and election of General Grant as President, and 

 Schuyler Colfax as Vice-President. 



On the 26th of June the Democracy as- 

 sembled in convention at Trenton, and, having 

 elected delegates to the National Democratic 

 Convention in Baltimore, expressed the senti- 

 ments of their party in the following resolu- 

 tions : 



Whereas, During the greater portion of the time 

 since the organization of the States of the Union the 

 Democratic party has administered the affairs and 

 declared the policy of the national Government under 

 its administration, constitutional liberty prevailed 

 throughout the country, individual rights were pro- 

 tected and prosperity characterized all our material 

 interests, to restore the Government to its former 

 condition under Democratic rule, and particularly to 

 reestablish a sound financial policy, the paramount 

 importance of personal liberty, and the decentraliza- 

 tion of power, is the first duty of every citizen: 

 therefore, 



Resolved, That the true interests of our country re- 

 quire the establishment of the principles, the policy, 

 and the administrative experiences of the Democrat- 

 ic party. 



Resolved, That we cordially invite the cooperation 

 of all of our fellow-citizens "who are opposed to the 

 pernicious principles and conduct of affairs of the 

 present Administration, and who are in favor of the 

 decentralization of the Government, the remission 

 of local self-government to the several States, the 

 relief from existing taxation by restricting the ex- 

 penses of the collection and the enormous expendi- 

 tures of the Government, the inviolability of the per- 

 sonal freedom and a return to those principles of 

 government which distinguished the Administrations 

 of Jefferson, Madison, and Jackson. 



Resolved, That local self-government is a right in- 

 herent in the people, and essential to liberty; that 

 in creating a central government, with grand powers 

 for general purposes, the people did not surrender 

 their right, but reserved to themselves the control 

 of their home affairs ; that any attempt on the part 

 of Congress to interfere, under any pretext, -with a 

 full ancl free exercise of this right, is a usurpation 

 which the people ought not to tolerate, because its 

 toleration leads to the destruction of the personal 

 liberties and municipal privileges of the citizen, and 

 the abandonment of all that renders free government 

 valuable. 



Resolved, That so far as the Cincinnati platform 

 agrees with the above principles set forth it meets 

 our approval. 



Resolved, That we do authorize and instruct our 

 State Executive Committee to unite and cooperate 

 with any other committee or organization in this 

 State opposed to the present national Administration. 



Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to _ abide by 

 and support the nominees of the Democratic Nation- 

 al Convention. 



Prior to these conventions, however, early 

 in April a State Convention of colored voters 



