The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1878-01-23
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orposfM IsBroRA al party nevsr g gave
itself aw;iy . so @cheaply and completely as
the Democratic House of Assembly on Tues
day. The issue is clearly and sharply drawn
2 batween theNtwe parties on the question of
: led aeinga6xpeBses and tightening the bur-
tfens of Taxpayers. The Democrats have
taiensa aogged stand against all reform, and
the Republicans, are yarrayed as its champions
The resolution Introduced by MIR. jackson
~(Republican1, ofsEssex, reciting the too pain
fully known facts of the hard times, the ter
eifb1e depression III ali branches Of business,
and the necessity for A general reduction i'll
expenses, ahd calling for the appointments of
"a comnittee. TO consider. the adyisability of
general reduction in salaries, fees and per-
auisitss, was eminensly proper and timely
There is no question which the people OF New
Jersey have more fully considered, on which
they more, deeply feel, and about which they
are SO unanimously agreed. 1t has formed
the absorbing topic Of discussion among all
classes of citizens,in all parts of the State
There was no question which entered so
prominently into last Falls campaign. 1t
may be asserted, with entire confidence, that
rs tothe demand for reform in.these particulars
the people of New Jersey are of ono mind
And their eyes are fixed upon this Legislature
with stern, and intelligent scrutiny which
bodies no good to the man or party who shall
stand In the way Of these Just desires and ex-
spectatons. They will be crushed beneath the
righteous indignation Of a people frustrated
IN their most cherished purposes And yet,
with stolid perverseness which looks like
the madness Of those whom the gods would
destroy, the Democratic majority in the House
is infatuated enough to confront the people of
New Jersey as the champion and protector of
extravaganza and enormous salaries, and the
bold opponent of every effort toward reform.
The resolution of Mr.. jackson was buried, by
10; party vote, against the warm and eloquent
protests and appeals of Republican members,
NTH the COMMITTEES on Ways and Means. It is
highly doubtful whether 1t will now ever be
heard of again. Try siA
81 The majority, then, under the leadership of
Mr.. Matthews, took up the resolution intro
duced few days ago by Mr., Hozwarth, an
other Republican member, and insisted on en-
totnbing IL in the COMMITTEES ON the Judiciary.
There was no earthlyreason, except pur-
pose to- stihe inquiry, why this resolution
should not have passed. Ii simply provides
that the Chancellor Chief Justice, Associate
Justices, and certain State officials, should
prepare and submit to the House a statement
of thelentire amount of salaries, fees per-
.quisites, &C., in the way of emoluments each
one had received during the past year, as af-
fofiing an intelligent basis of action for re-
form - It:was not only the right of the Leg
islature to be put in possession of this infor-
mation-it was its bounden duty to obtain it.
Ignorance on this question is, Indeed, extra
ordinary Ind discreditabIe. The fact that the
sovereign power of the State is utterly ignor-
amt of thessource, character aud amount of
fees, perquisites and other emoluments, re-
ceivcd by its highest and most important SER
wants, is most remarkable state of things
Thatit should wilfnlly shut its eyes, and per-
ssist in excluding the light of information, can
only BIO characterized as dsgraoeful. For
what, we ask, is the motive of this stolid re-
filsal OF the Democratic members to enlighten
themselves ON this question What earthly
decent excuse can they offer, for thus refus-
ing to divulge to the House and the people of
New Jersey the character and amount of the
einaldments received by these officials Are
they SO enormous that they are afraid and
ashamed to give ztheupeople information on
the subject Whatever the motives, and
there is no possible svusv in which they could
be honorable or laudable ones, the Democrats
Insisted, against tho furtherappeals and pro-
tests and votes of the Republicans, on bury
ing this resolution in the Judiciary Commit
tee. We greatly doubt whether it win be
heard Of again during the session.