The New York herald., 1878-02-06
new JERSEYS. CAPITAL.
The Coal Combination To Be
Thoroughly Sitted.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Commencement OF the State Prison
Torture Investigation.
,sr TELEGRAPH TO THE HEaALp.1

TRENTON. Feb. s, 1873.
Tho House Committee Corporations have
subpnnaed several residents and superintendents Of
Now Jersey railroads to appear In the Ststo House
MONDAY afternoon AMI testify relative TO alleged
coal combinations II Is tho Intention TO mako
most searching inquiry.
Charles X. Landis OF vineland notoriesy, appeared
before the House Committse ON Railroads and Canals
to-day and spoke advocacy OF his snort line rail-
road In South Jersey, ana against Senator SeweIps
bill, whicn passed the Senate last week. aud which
requires railroad companies to deposit 81 900 per
mile win the Secretary Of State on ming articles Of
association. Ms a guarantees OF good faith.
LEGISLATIVE PRocEEDyGs
In the Senate to-day Mr. Hobart introduced an act
TO reduce public taxation Of the public
debt II cites In tho preamble the amount Of the war
debt TO DO 81 800, tho sum Of 500 900 falling due
annually. 1t also rccites tho fact that tho sinking
fund created for tho payment OF this debt 10 now
$l,453, 600. which will DO sufficient in 1880
to provide for the principal ana interest
Tho bill provides that after 1870 tho interest shall be
paid out OF the sinxiug fund; that 200 OF the
principal duo In 1879 shall 90 paid from satd fund.
and thereafter so much Of tho principal a. annually
falls due shall DO paid from the fund, far a. It con
be safely spared.
Mr. kabe introduced a supplemental bill concern.
ing disordorly persons. II provides that in cities
having u population over fifteen thousand, having po-
lice courts, police justices recorders paid liked
salary, all disorderly persons arrested shall be
taken before these officials for hearing. thar no
justice OF the peace shall have cognizance thcrcoi
hear or determine such cases. any law, custom and
usage 10 the contrary notwlthstanding.
Ar. Hobart presented u supplement to the Public
Instruction acf II provides for the appropriation Of
$780, 900 from tho annual income for tho support Of
public schools any deficiency to be supplied BY draw.
ing upon the State Treasurer, Is 10 be replaced.
Mr. Magic introduced An act concerning costs. IL
provides that when judgmont Is entcrod by dofault
and no defonce Ia made, tho amount received beiua
not less than 5000, than $500
the plaintiff shall recover only threc-iourthi
tho usual COSTS excepting witnessed fees. II tho
amount recovered be- less than 500 nor more
than 500 the costs shall not excced oue-halt the
usual amount II not less than $50 nor more than
$780, the costs shall exceed ne-ourth tho usual
amount recoverable by Law. Tho Same restrictions
apply TO tho fees OF the officers, the plaintiff
not to recover beyond the amount ndorsed Ia tho
process.
In the House, mr.. O'Brien introduced bill pro-
vding for alteration OF tho boundary lines OF tho
sembly districts In Passaio county.
THE STATE PRISON INVESTIGATION.
The joint Committee on state Prison, consisting OF
Senators Hondrickson. Moore, Plummer, ana Assem- :
blymen Sykes, Parramorc, Pancoast Malone ana Rue
assembled IN tho Senate Chambers shortly after nvo
O'Clock +. and proceeded to investigate certain
| charges preferred against General Mott and Dr. ".
W. l. Phillips relative to their treatment OF couvicts
Mr.. j. A. MacLauchiin. stenographcr, kept rocord Of
the r-r"'r's'ar ~"h 'n''s----r ~ee Investigation