New-York tribune., 1878-04-05
NEU-JERSEY LEGISLATURE.

UNFAIR CONDUCT OF THE sPEAKER-DEFEAT OF THE
LIBEL Acr-AS INoPERATIvE LAw-BILLs PASSED
AND INTRODUCED.
IFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE J
TRENTON, April 4.-Generai complaint has
been made that the Speaker and his little ring have per-
slstently used unfair to pass or defeat bills ac
cordns 10 their peculiar preudices; and committees
usurp the functions Of the House by smothering bills and
refusing, by various pretexts, TO report them These
practices have been carried shameful extent and
legislation has In this way been dictated or controlled
by the lobby whose headquarters In the Speakers
room.
Dominic Robinsons bill relative TO libel. which re-
qures change OF venue TO the county where the paper
accused Of libel il printed-very nearly copy o the
New-York statute-coming up on It's third reading, Mr.
De Witt who has placed every obstacle In the way OF
the BILL moved lay it until the afternoon Mr.
Robinson suddenly TO object. when the Speaker
not recognizing him, declared that the bill was laid over
Messrs Robinson, Person. and Jackson protested
against this rapid ruling, and, after sharp tit
the Speaker recalled his action, and the bill
was taken up and read. Mr.. De Witt made
an argument against the bill. Dominic Robin
son made in its support He characterized the
pre- sent libel law barbarous. Under 1t man can be
punished In county In the State for the same libel
He could not understand how any could vote to con-
tlnue such outrageous law. The debate was further
continued by Messrs Harris Jackson, Salmon, Deacon
Steele and Speaker Egan, the latter making violent
speech (whlle in the chair against the BILL which was
lost by Il vote OF % ayes to23 nays.
Before the vote was announced, the absentees twelve
in numberl were called only twice, and Messrs Robin
son and Jackson asked to have them called again, but
the Speaker refused and ordered the Clerk to announce
the vote. Messrs. Robinson aud Jackson thereupon
handed In the following written protest against the
Speakers decson
We hereby protest against the arbitrary ruling of the
Chair ON final passage OF Assembly Bill No 3S7 by
refusing TO nave the aosenees called as we pene'e ne
should have done when requested
Messrs Mathews and Do Witt objected and the
Speaker declared It laid the table This caused loud
expressions Of dissatisfaction and ut the noon recess the
conduct OF the Speaker severely denounced espe-
cially when 1t was discovered that the Speaker
aud De Witt had planned together to de-
feat the bill. The present libel law Is
too powerful "a whip In the hands OF the State Honse
Ringto be surrendered without struggle. While the
cers were on floor of the House, lobbying to defeat
IT, At the afternoon session, Mr Deacon moved that
the Judiciary Committee be discharged from iurther
consideration OF Assembly Bill No 3s9. which is very
similar to Dominic Robinson's BILL Tue motion was
agreed to, and the bill was placed on the calendar
Senator Sewelis bill recognizing and establishing
State Inebriaie Asylum at ylneland, was lost Mr.
Sewel presented petitions In favor or the OH from the
merchants and business men OF Trenton, from panE
keepers and wine aud liquor dealers iu Jersey City
from the New-Jersey Methodist Episcopal Conference
aud from the Baptist Association OF the state. Despite
all this the bill was defeated all the Democrats voting
In the negative. The general Excise Bill was inden
nitcY postponed In the senate.
Mr. Hobart's supplement to the Usury law coming mp
in the senate on lis second reading. caused long dis
cussion, Repeated amendments offered and Vot"d
down. and the bill ordered TO third reading This
bill exeeps the operations OF the per cent law eX
listing contracts tho renewal Of the IL Is now
believed that the bill will pass both Houses.
Senator Rabe introduced uct respecting assessments
for constructing " OntnuauOn OF sewers run
ming through adjoining cities lLprOvdes that the as
scssnens shall be lad prOport0natey 10 me Dement'S
received upon the property SO Denehleu ~ 10 Es.i
law IN form. covering the Eayne Road sewer Act,
Which, being special, is believed 20 be defective speaker
'ut ucfl "A
transfer OF the same. ,.
Tie following bills were passed in the Senate: Regu
latIug fishing In the Delaware ana It's tributaries sup
piemen the Mechanics Lien Act supplement % the
net concerning cities supplement to the Chatte Mort
gage Act authorizing an artosian well for the state
Prison; relative TO the appointment OF collectors OF
faxes where elected by the town committee act for tie
relief OF the National Guard supplement to the act
constituting District Courts act uniformity
| In the time OF holding elections In towns.
The following bills passed the House: Act providing
that apparatus 20 teach the metric system weight
aud neasre-be placed In every public school uct TO
provide for the regulation and Incorporation OF insnr-
ance cOmpanes; act providing ior the formation Of
borough goySrnentGi isint resolution providing for