New-York tribune., 1873-01-10
THE NEW-JERSEY LEGISLATURE.

According to the invariable custom, it is
announced that the session of the New-Jersey
Legislature, which begins at Trenton on Tues
day next, will be one of unusual importance.
With reference to the measures which have
come and which undoubtedly will this winter
come again before that body for consideration,
the statement is certainly true, but when ap-
piled to the actual work likely to be accom-
plished the truth is not so obvious. For years
the Legislature has been mere battle-ground
for the contests between the railroad monopo-
lists and the people, and the victory has in
variably been with the former. Every year
same devoted servant of the people brings in
bill for a competing line of railroad across
the State from Newly York to Philadelphia, and
every year it follows it's army of predecessors
to defeat. Why is this the cases. The people
of the State, could they vote directly for
such bill, would adopt it by an
overwhelming majority. They see the growth
and prosperity of their State paralyzed by the
exorbitant rates of great monopoly which
drives capitalists from their borders, and they
know that relief can only come from compe-
tition. But their representatives pay little
heed to these wishes; many of them are
ID "
railroad interests and go to Trenton the
pledged servants of the monopolists. In pro-
portion as the public sentiment against this
oppression increases, the railroad men enlarge
the number of their lobbyists, so that last
year there were no fewer than five men con-
tinually in attendance as the avowed agents
of one corporation. 1t remains to be seen
whether the present Legislature is to follow
the course of its predecessors, or to take new
departure by showing itself to be indeed the
representative body of the people. That there
will be applications for charters to build rail-
roads across the State in various directions
and of different gauges is unquestioned. Let
it generously grant them all, or what is equiv
alent, general railroad law, and the blight
which has so long hung over the legislative
branch of their State Government will be re-
moved Last Winter the Lower House did
this right manfully but the Senate annulled
the good work.
While railroad interests are the most i'm
portant that will come before this Legsla-
ture, there are other measures which ought to
receive thoughtful and effective consideration
jersey City, burdened with its government of
commissions, appeals loudly for relief. The
disclosures of the past few months cOnclusively
show that she ought to have it. Her citizens
demand the right to govern themselves. They
protest against politicians controlling their
local government from Trenton with the sole
purpose of enriching themselves. In special
message at the last session, Gov. Parker gave
conclusive reasons why the portions of the
charter granting the appointment of commits
sions by the Legislature should be repealed; /;
but his fOrcible demands were unheeded,
almost wholly on account of partisan animosity.
We trust the disgraceful disclosures which
have been made since that time will convince
the present Legislature of the soundness of the
Governors views.
These subjects, which will have to be de-
cided by this Legislature, are of paramount
Importance. Let them be decided in favor of
the people, and the New-Jersey Legislature of
1873 will deserve well of the State.