The New York herald., 1878-11-25

sTATE-A RETURN TO THE sTATU quo ANTE
BELLUM PRESAGED-woRK BEFORE THE LEG
IsLATURE.
TRENTON Nov. "a. lS7S
The interest in the approaching session of the New
Jersey Legislature increases as time goes on All
parties watching and waiting for the action OF the
republican party for upon that hinges the results Of
the elections next year and probably for some time
after Jerseymcn watch their Legislature closely
and hold them to stricter responsibility than i'll
most States Fortunately for the republicans their
is comparatively clear il they avoid the &C.
ton Of the radical members Of
the party are cndcavoring to force upon
the political majority. At an informal meeting Of
the Republican State Committee ut Jersey City re-
Gently, the managers almost unanimously agreed that
they would take no action looking toward gerry
Wandering the State in emulation Of the democrats
year ago. The policy of the leaders is to repeal the
gerrymandering acts Of the democratic Legislature
and restore the old Assembly district lines entire.
under which gerrymandering for republican pur-
poses was necessary. AS said by leading MEM
ber 'the people OF this State will renounce and de-
nounce any party which uses the Legislature for
merely partisan purposes" The republicans will
ling to let well enough alone and SO avoid being
denounced.
WORK nEroRE THE LEGISLATURE.
The duties Of the Legislature not likely to be
onerous. There are some subjects of Importance to
be considered. but they will not necessarily occupy
much time, and an early adjournment is anticipated.
Perhaps the matter Of general public interest
before it will the question Of convict labor.
It was made allabsorbing issue during the late
campaign in Essex county. and received considerable
attention in Hudson. Burlington passaic and Cam
den, that ut least dozen Of the sixty Assembly.
men and two three Of the twenty-one Senator's
ahol;a
labor at State institutions 1t about $4,000 to
the State Prison at present and about 100000 Of
that amount is saved to the State by the work OF the
convicts in making shoes. At the Reform School 400
boys employed ut making shirts saving the State
about $50 900 S25 900 per annum. II these indu
tries not permitted to be carried on the State
Treasury will have to shoulder additional burden
OF about 100000 The opponents of convict skilled
labor argue that tho State amply able to bear it,
being starved by the competition of felons. They
call attention to the condition Of the State Treasury
FINANCIAL MArTERs
The Comptrollers annual report. which 10 now in
course Of preparation, will show that 1t will actually
be unnecessary to impose any tax the people for
direct State expenses OF two mills the dol
lar and will be- imposed for educational purposes
only, but aside from that there IL sufficient in the
treasury to carry the government for the year. and
the sinking funds sufficient to provide for all the
bonded debt of the State. New jersey as a State is
possessing Ut the same time credtable public build
ings and Charities 1t would be gratifying If much
could be said for tho counties and towns composing
the State.
Some attempt will probably be made again this
winter reduce the fees Of the Secretary Of State and
clerks in chancery and of the Supreme Court.
similar effort has failed in previous Legislatures
owing to the complicated systems OF the Offices
ferredfto and better IL hardly anticipated this
time An endeavor to separate the Offices Of 8ecrc-
tary Of State and Insurance Commissioner will prob
ably be made, with better chances of success their
being two objects in view on the part of the republic
cans the injury Of the Secretary Of State, who is
democratic politician Of prominence, and the alleged
greater effciency Of the proposed new oficer In
this connection 1t may be said that lawyers have
little to hope from the next Legislature the
bers largely aymen and disposition Is manifest
to grant the legal profession few favors
PRINTING.
matter which always occupies great deal more
attention than the printing the State
documents bills, &c This IL regulated by the Legis-
lature at each session. printing committee being
owners Of different newspapers OF the political per-
suasion OF the party in power Generally the printing
IL divided among the owners of party organs in the
districts Of the committees members There IL al
ways q dispute ii and more less dissstisfac
ton. An effort will be made ~ secure Printing
Bureau or Commissioner. to whom would be given
the entire control Of the State printing. 1t would
then be given out ut contract and probably save
$4,000 or $2U0O0 yearly II properly managed.
Only three other matters will occupy the attention
Of the Legislature for any length of tme-the author
izing of bridge over the canal ut Washington
street Jersey city: free road from Newark to New
York and change in the law OF libel. The present
law permits the Indictment trial ana CONVICTION or
man in each OF the twe,ity-one counties OF the
State for tho same offence.
SCRAMBLE FOR OFFICES.
The scramble for the offices ut the disposal Of the
Legislature continues to be exciting. General W. j.
Sewe. OF Camden, superintendent Of tho West Jersey
Railroad held the presidency OF the Senate two years
ago and his friends ask 1t for him again. Against him
there has recently appeared Senator g. A. Hobart, Of
Passac receiver Of the New Jersey Midland Railroad
and Of the most popular men in the State por
sonally Both men have strong advocates and the
successful may be proud of his victory. II is not
Improbable however. that one OF thcn will with
draw, they personal friends Tho domocrstic
minority OF the Senate Will renoninatc senator Lud
low. of Middlesex. The spcakership Of the House will
depend much upon to whom the presidential prize Is
awarded.
SUICIDE OF AN UNKNOWN MAN