The New York herald., 1879-02-06
NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE.

THE ALLEGED PARTISAN NOMINATIONS OF Gov
SENATE To-DAY-wHAT Is SAID IN THE MI
NoRITY AND MAJORITY REPORTS.
TRENTON, Feb. g. 1879.
There is war to the knife between Governor McClel-
Ian and the republican Senate the nominations
for judges Of the inferior courts made by him. In
the counties of Essex, Mercer, Monmouth and Mid
dlesex the nominations for law judgeships
are all democrats. and in eleven other
counties the nominees for lay judgesbips
are all republicans. The Senate refuses to
confirm the law judges the ground that by so
doing the benches in those counties would be
purely partisan--composed entirely of democrats.
1t agrees to confirm all the lay judges because such
action would make the benches i'll those counties of
anon-partisan character. there being already DEM
ocratc representation i'll each. The Governor. in a
special message to the Senate tho subject speaks
strongly in favor of non-partisan Judiciary. The
majority of the Judiciary Committee made
report to the Senate to-day, recommending
the confirmation of the lay judges and the rejection
of the law judges. The minority of the committee.
Mr. Ludlow, recommends the confirmation of all.
Both reports are lengthy and extensive quot ations
made from the Governors special message. For
instance, the majority of the committee say they
happy to state that they cordially indorsc the
Governors views cogently expressed in favor of
non-partisan judiciary" He is undoubtedly
correct in saying that 'the feeling Of the
great mass o. the people Of this State is
strongly against strictly partisan composition
of the courts The report then goes to state
that 'His Exccllcncy is no less wise than correct
in his expression of belief that, IL the judiciary
of any nation state is entirely composed of men,
bers of any one political party IL will often be diff
cult TO convince members of the adverse party that
they can always obtain even handed Justice" The
minority report, among other things. states that
"by usage and or right the nomination of persons
to hold these several Judicial offices belongs to
the Governor, the Senate having only the power
to reject or confirm his nominations. IL the DOM
inant party in the Senate willing to accept the
principle laid down by the Governor the correct
one and by which they hereafter intend to be guided
they should at least be fair and accept II he
nounced IL. Governor Mcclellan in his special mes
sage to the Senate refers solely to the lay judges of
the Common Pleas, and his language is plain that
none be deceived, save willingly. He
says the inferior courts of the Common
bers of one political party and of one
member of the other aud IL happens that IL tor
the first time falls to the lot OF Governor of this
State decide whether this condition of affairs shall
continue whether only ono party shall be repre-
sented in these courts IL matters not what I'M
PEELED the Governor to make those particular nom-
nations-that is beyond the question cavil of the
Senate The only question properly before II is.
Are the persons named proper persons to hold the
Offices for which they are named? The majority of
the committee do not even pretend otherwise
The Governor is inexcrablc; so is the Senate. ap
pnrcnty Another executive session will be held to-
morrow Thursday when all the republicans will be
confirmed and the democrats rejected.
rHr NORRIS CANAL BRIDGE.
The bill providing for the building of bridge over
the Morris Canal vt Washington street. Jersey
City, in the interest OF the New Jersey
reading in the House without opposition. When IL
comes up its final passage lively fight is antici-
pated. The lobbyists clatcd over the prospect.
STATE PRISON coNrRkcTs
Tomorrow Thursday the bill which provides for
the adjustment of the manufacture of boots and
Mr. Fielder of Newark has it in charge. There will
be o lively time over it.