The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-04
NEW JERSEY LEGISLATION.
TIE RATTLE or TIE BRTDGE TO ne
RENEWED ~ TRENTON.

RENEWED IN TRENTON
Just What u IL An Nbout-Tho Difference
Uctween Receiver Ln,hrop and Riparian
Com missioner Iathrop--Thc Fee system.
TRENTON. March 2--Thc fee system is no.
where in tho United States more strongly in
trenchcd than In New Jersey. Time out Of mind
1t has boon the subject Of grumbling. Whiln
ono set 81 officials have been under the harrow
another set have been dcvsing ways and means
10 get their fers increased. Tho natural conse-
uGcncc " successive assaults upon them is that
they Offset combination 10y combining. A -four
ishng association OF SherifIs. about thrco years
hgo. was charged with attempting to corrupt
tho New Jersey Senate. but they cnmo out
Of investigation unscathed and saved
their foo rates until tho close Of their
official terms. The County Clerks. by pool
inc their issues. have stemmcd tide OF pop
uar prejudice against taxed bills OF costs.
The State House Ring. so called. have most ut
stake. and have the kccnest eyes at work to pro-
serve It. The Secretary OF State. Clerk Of the
Court Of Chnnccry. and Clcrk OF the Supreme
Court are credited with emoluments. under tho
mixed fee and salary system. OF from $50 900 to
$4,000 n year ench. All three arc Democrats
and influential in State politics. The Legislature.
being Republican. may be expected to reach
them II possible. The joint caucus last week re-
solved to carry through such reforms as shall
hurt Democrats and hop Republicans at all
hazards. Among those proposed is bill to
abolish the fees now paid to tho judiciary. and
pay them salaries Against this scheme is the
great difference in tho work imposed on the
Judges in tho respective judicial districts.
Judge Depue. in Essex and Judge Knapp. in
Hudson. have twice rs much to do rs Judges
Woodruff and Reed in the south Jersey dis
tricts. and by the fee system they get a great
deal more pay. Tho matter oxcites a good deal
OF interest naturally from the bar and at a
meeting Of the State Bar Association 1t was
recommended that the Governor be empow-
cred to appoint n commission to regulate judi
cial fees and salaries.
There does not seem to be very good pros
poet OF getting general law Tor the govern
year since the Constitution. whose behess leg
islators swear To obey. made II the legislators
duty to pass such law, City charters have
been elaborately tinkered by passing numerous
laws general in form. hut special in their appli-
cation. Tho supreme Court has been bothered
At almost every term since 1875 over certioraris
from the party that was not in power in Jersey
City Tor the time being. and the Supreme Court
has pretty impartially decided in their favor IA
rule. The present anomalous system OF gov
eminent by commissions that were originally
legislative commissions. but electing the COM
mlssioners by popular vote. Ia likely 10 be re-
tanned Tor another year. Silsings bill to cut
some amendments.
A bill for the government Of municipalities Of
urged by eX-Assemblyman Yates and other
residents Of Plainileld. is highly spoken of MS
having been carefully prepared to meet the
hnps. ree-fourths Of the New Jersey towns.
The Central Railroads fight for a bridge over
the Morris Canal basin at Washington street. in
Jersey City, will be- renewed in both Senate and
Assembly this week. The bill introduced 10y
Senator Robe does not diner materially from
Assembly bill No. TO- which was killed fort
night ago 1t still makes II mandatory on the
city TO 10 ahead with the bridge and 10 shoulder
the cost nrpllmluNTtly. although tho Board of
Finance is TO decide what part. II any. shall be
borne by assessment on property benefited As
the property is not to be taxed for more benc-
fits than are received. this would be n small
part OF tho expense that. It is claimed, would
of the Underwater basin TO the westward; and
hence the vigorous protests from tho Mayor
property owners Of Jersey City at tho prospect
OF loading more bonded debt upon a city that
has not been able to meet ts obligations for four
years. except by borrowing. falling behind at
the rate Of half million year.
Mr.. Dusenberry's new bill. introduced In the
Being Sndaory g7 FEE cty Would ' be- Teq l
10 pay the lions share OF the cost under this
sa apr NJ .....,Sn = raaa.r.a y S..x,..
bridge. Another bill in Tho Senate authorizes
the land under water. Another. in the House.
provides that the necessary steps shall be taken
by the Board OF Public Works.
One thing is clearly manifest. Receiver
Laihrop is not going to see the time and
money spent in electing or defeating members
a fight for IT, Neither is Judge Packer willing
TO have his terminus Mt the Hudson wiped out
OF the map OF the Riparian Commissioners.
How men change with changing events Is
well illustrated in this case. In 1872 when
Judge Packer was considering tho proposition
OF the Riparian Commiss ioners TO sell him a
terminus for his Lehigh Nalley-Or. rs il was
called. Enston and Amboy-Railroad. Just
north ~ the Central's terminus. for tl2j.OOO.
Ripariun Commissioner Lathrop is said To have
painted in glowing colors the advantages Of
getting TO tidevater at the Hudson. To fasten
him securely, the Riparian Commissioners got
the Legislature 70 make n grant OF n tidewater
basin adjoining Packers proposed grant. on the
north. 10 the public in perpetuity. so that the
shore owners should have wharfage and dock
age. The prospect Of a water front Of 5000
feet for his elevators and docks did Packers
business He made the purchase 81 what is
known as the West Line grant. terminating AT
the canal bnsn To make his terminal fncil-
ties moro effectunl. he took a long lense OF the
Morris Canal and its franchises. among which
was the canal basin. which was the easterly
boundary OF his grant. A small diagram will
make the situation painer