New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-04-06
MEMBERSHIP.

NEW -JEhSEl
A pISCREDITABLE LEGIsLATURE-IHE ENTIRE
SESSION A FAILURE-THE MONOPOLiSrS NOT
TIE STATE, BENEFUED-THE CONTROLLING
POWERS-ENDEAvOR FOR FUTURE REFORM
THE TRIBUNE USED Up.
IRON THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRlBUNEl
TRENTON, April 4.-IIad the Legislature,
which adjourned to-day, met it would have been
fun as well for the State and far better for the Re-
publican party Of New-Jersey. Strongly Republican
IN both branches, II had opportunity OF
placing the party upon sure f0otlng III tAe
state, by taking firm position IN favor OF
needed reforms, and following out public sentiment IN
the overthrow OF the monopoly which has so long cursed
the State in railroad legislation. Instead Of doing either
of these things however has stood as the opponent OF
both Absolutely, no important public act has been
passed in the interest of the State and only those nave
survived which for the benefit OF foreign corpora
tions brief review of the measures introduced ana
the fate OF each will reveal the truth OF this statement
Early in the session supplementary bill was introduced
extending the Delaware Water Gap and State Line
pa1road through the counties Of Warren Morris, and
Passac II was lost in the Assembly, but subsequently
reconsidered and passed and finally killed by the senate
because the Pennsylvania men dld not want IT, ihro-
duced about the same time were two DIS OF aIehs1F
vania corporation to extend the Passnlc Naey ana
Pepac Railroad and anOtherfOr what is called the west
Line Road from BOundbrOok to Easton, both OF which
nassed The bill Of the New-Jersey Central Railroad
COMPANY providing for 100000 increase OF capi-
tai stock, was loaded down with amendments ana
never would have passed had not the company
formed an alliance with the Pennsylvama Cehtiai
for the defeat Of another BILL and then 1t was passed
without the usual tax clause, deprivng the state OF
lust tax of 100000 year Then came the Narrow Gauge
hill for road from Jersey city 10 Camden Inc Char
man of the Corporation Committee kept DaeK the Dill Us
long as possible and when it came before the Assembly,
it was killed because it was not desired by the Iennsy
vania Central. The two bills to repeal Erie obnoxious
IN, for
reason than Pennsylvania agents declared they
must be. The General Railroad law shared about
the same fate. Passed once with just the requisite
number of votes, it defeated by tho action OF
Sneaker Niles who changed his vote to the negative
with no adequate 1t was reeonsidered.
and an amendment made, but when 1t was called
for had lost in some unaccountabe way and It's
movers were forced TO abandon its passage for the pres
ent session The bill OF the Pennsylvania Central COM
many consolidating the leased roads and cutting down
the number directors 10 49, aud giving the state one
director instead and second one consolidating
the branch lines, ferries turnpike, &C.. owned by the
same Company in NewJersey into subordinate corpora
ton with sOOOOOO both passed because the foreign
agents said they should be. The New-Iork and Phila
delpbia Railroad bill was held for two months by the
Chairman of the Corporation Committee, and after
deperate struggle passed by the Assembly only TO be
killed by the Senate. In short all Of the railroad bills in
the LIST published in THE TRIBUNE March Is rs having
been drawn up by the Pennsylvania agents for passage
or defeat met in each the fate thus assigned tbem
The last one in the list incorporate the NewBruns
wick and Elizabeth Railroad Company, was lost III the
Senate last evening by vote of tos
The action the question Of economy In the pubic
nrintnp has been 10 less discreditablc There
opportupty to the State $4,000 year and yet
not cent has been saved nor VIII 1t be- The Dill re-
ducng the prices 20 per cent on the legislative printing
passed the Assembly Tuesday evening" ana went 10 the
senate When it was sought there it discovered
mt uQG ma n nd
the thief and the Senate adjourned without action
in the matter Another farce was the proposed
inouiry into the terms Of the lease by which
the PENNSYLVANIA Central Railroad Company re-
ceiyed the United Railroads Of NewJersey Resolutions
appointing committee for this work were Sn no
very early in the session. but the committee lnaue no
report The long unsettled controversy between ,nr
Railroad Company was talked about during the entire
session, but action was taken Inc history OF se
IT, rst the Legislature in 1861 when
the American Dock and Improvement Company up
reared with bin asking free grant OF
All the lands lying under water in Commun-
paw Bay. After long and spirited contest. th hs
American and Improvement Company 41sv n eet oi
land TOR s4Oo This tract was aiterward SonEn nd Wy
the NewJersey Central Railroad COMPANY ana Is now v
owned by them. Subsequently the latter Company eA
Its tracks and buildings across she "SI in
quarrel which between these Two az 70
had title to the Land tS %ss snds the
sey Central Company clam two other u taes
CommuDpaW
Kin Won Kull amounting III all 10 neaIiy ooD
them the ownership Of This enormous tract OF gron1
with frontage OF about two miles on Comnunlpaw v
Bay for $3.50 Co., payable within 80 years NO one mes
lions but that price Is much too small put II s
that IL was the best policy TO accept what tue New
Jersey Central sss s @
wby the Riparian Commissioners did not cohcnae tne
sale, as they had full power 70 49, %i'n %as
that they were afraid the State n,,n at la re
would be dissatisfied with the smsllness OF ,ne
prce paid The bill would not have passed tne assem- d
Vas therefore allowed TO lie on the table Mean%no
ne NewJersey Central Company continues 10 occupy
unother victory OF this company has been lIe 70
pass the bill requiring them to pay the nsua aa ~ It
ed tbe Senate but did not reach tho Assembly, Us IL
was probably never intended 10 no. ,,.,rro ,yas its
1ne Of The worst failures OF the Legislature was is
refusal 10 Interfere the demoraized and corrupt gov
eminent OF jersey City No measure Oh ree nr mas With
for another year. The efforts OF the rends
- th,nnerance have also sgnay failed Ahe Att9rney
General killed the Local Option movement ps % &
~ nnconstitutonal and the Assembly 'o0d oo"h 'ho
| Illinois Liquor law: ,,o ,ru, no nm improyement
non This manfesy weak one Is earnestly hopeu Wy a.,
Srends of New Jerseys welfare fupie sei.cnt
,oIsed and general indignation pio'Ilh aKnnn, 'ne
esnd,Ious control of the Legislature w IL o 20, 80
,n"nopolsts IL is declared that ihis Qu0a'eV0i "u