New-York tribune., 1874-03-20
EVENING SESSION.
TIE NEF-JERSEY LEGISLATURE.

REPORT on THE CONDITION or THE SOUTHERN RAIL
ROAD-A SORRY STATE OF AFFAIRs-THE ASSEM-
bly, VOTES TO PROLONG THE SESSION ONE WEEK.
lFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRBUNB.l
TRENTON, March 19.-Mr Hopkins, Chairman
OF the Senate Committee on Railroads Canals which
Committee was directed 10 investigate the NeW'Jersey
Southern Railroad affairs and ito leased lines, reported
to-day that from the testimony given, the management
OF the road and the connecting branches was
reckless wasteful, and extravagant. The report
states that large amounts expended that
contemplated by the charter such as the con-
structon and equipment Of railroads outside OF the
State the purchase OF Long Branch hotel, which is,
nevertheless, claimed by individual, and not by
the corporation; the purchase OF unnecessarily expen-
siye steamboats,, run at enormous cost &C. ASH result
the corporations practically insOvent. with no in
terest paid on bonds. dividends paid to stock
holders the OF employees arrears the State
sdeprved OF the revenue expected when the franchises
granted and citizens along the line or road are
practically defrauded Of the benefits anticipated TO arise
from the Of the railway The cOrpOrators have
failed make annual statements required and to
pay the State tax due under their charters portion Of
their rolling stock has been removed TO another State
and the steamboats, taken and sold. The capital
stock bonds &C. Of the NewJersey Southern Railroad
and leased lines forth reported to the CON
roer in 1s79 the aggregate of which is shown to be
tons. With incurred interest. amount to upward OF
ana steps have been tax N Tor collecting Jhe
same II is found that the Long Branch and SeashOre
Railroad Company have paid the assessment on ITS
charter as required hy the State, and II Is
therefore void and imperative. The in-
ypstigdtOn has made manifest the ne
ceSsity for legislation requiring railroad compa-
MES furnish annual statements and pay such taxes as
are required by aw and to secure this end the Com
mittee reported bill aud lTecOmm It's passage
long debate took place the bill 10 allow the NewJer
sey Central Railroad to increase its capital SlUO0OO
Mr. Sewel offered amendment that the act shall only
take effect the Company pays the state sOoOO Tor
Lands under water occupied by the Central Railroad
The amendment lost aud the bill passed by vote
OF lG tO5
In the Assembly q resolution adopted o7 to 1c 70
prOlong the session another week several changes
were ma de by Mr. Vanderbilt in his bill relating 10 the
State militia AZ altered the National Guard VIII con
lst of 20 companies OF Infantry three OF CaVay ana
two batteries OF artillery The present force consists OF
co companies of Infantry two computes OF caVary hu
two batteries of artillery. The militia now costs tnc
state about slOOO annually, and large reduction OF
expenses must follow reduction OF the force. IN
the course OF his remarks the lll. Mr.. Naniernt
stated that the encampment OF the miillia
at Cane May last year cost the otato
nearly $4,000. Action the supplement 10 the
Jersey CITY charter. known the WaShDurn supple,
ment was further postponed large number OF small
bills were passed. In joint meeting OF both houses
Woodbridge Strong appointed Law Judge Ior
NuddeseX County and James ID. White Lay Judge Tor
Ocean The names agreed upon in caucus last evening
10 f vacancies In different Boards OF Commission In
Jersey City were agreed TO. large number OF OOh-
missoner5 OF Deeds were appointed.