New-York tribune., 1884-01-09
THE NEW-JERSEY LEGISLATURE
BOTH HOUSES ORGANIZED.

CAPTAIN A. B. sToNEY ELECTED sPEAKER-PoNrs
OF THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
| tFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBuyEl
TRENTON, Jan. 8.-The Legislature of New
Jersey organized for Its 0sth annual session at little
after O'Clock this afternoon. The party cauelsos In
the morning were not excited, and the programme ont
lined in this mornings TRIBUNE carried into effect
In the Senate Benjamin A. Vail elected presidents
William A. Stiles OF Sussex, secretary william A. No
Crellish OF Mercer assistant; A. c. English Of Atlantic
! engr0ssng clerk; Joseph Donovan, sergeantatarm.
! with dOOrkeepers ETC. The Senator'S were
sworn in and Mr. Vail made graceful speech,
acknowledging the honor conferred upon him His notable
utterance railroad taxation when he said that tha
inequality of the present system apparent and that
1t was his earnest hope that the Legislature would not
adjourn without taking some action 10 bring all property
under the operation OF just and equitable laws and the
imposition of taxation. The first bill introduced
by Senator stnsby providing the civil rights OF col.
ored men in NewJersey. It Is essentially the United
States statute which recently declared uneOnsttu
tional and provides that discrimination account OF
color shall be made under penalty.
score OF other bills we're also presented and
the Governors message received. Messrs Miller,
Youngblood and Hers were appointed committee
the Inauguration Of Governor Albeit and after hours
session the Senate adjourned until tomorrow.
The House organized cumsily. Captain A. b. stoney,
Of Monmouth, was elected Speaker by the Democrats
thanks. The following officers were elected: Clerk,
Henry d. Wnton OF Bergen Assistant T. f. Noonan Of
Hudson Engrossing Clerk, H. d. $. Steele OF Hunter
den; SergeantatArms, c. J. Donovan of Hudson, with
the usual minor officers and couple Of extra officers.
The Governors message was received and
not read and the usual resolutions
were adopted. feature of the election
for Speaker the vote for the Democratic candidate,
Mr. stOney, by Assembyman Burgess (Rcp1, OF Essex,
Mr. Burgess said he liked to vote for the winning man.
and vouchsafed no further explanation.
The third annual message Of Governor Ludlow after
stating the financial situation announced in THE
TRIBUNE to-day, proceeds to discussion OF the railroad
taxation question. The value OF railroad property in
NewJersey, he states, 1927 1884 53i, and s taxed for
S677, ,557 76, or less than One-thrd of one per cent
while other property is taxed at rates varying from
three per cent. This, the Governor declares Is
just, and he proceeds follows:
To meet the difficulties caused by this condition OF
affairs many plans have been proposed some OF them n
voving the radical changes by amendment TO the
Constitution ana opening up questions OF the Sravssst
character which Will take years to decide Considerable
thought upon the subject however, has lead me TO the
belief that is much better to take as the basis OF action
the present statute and to correct the weak points mat
This easily be DONE because they can be covered "
a very few provisions. First, the power ana duty OF
taxing should be repOsed in board, having no other
authority far removed possible ronl the influence
OF the persons to be taxed Next the basis on which the
deaned and should include all the element.
which go to make up me W ~Gr5n na ana m t T9 Too DI
possible FOR diminishing process by technical con-
strctiOn. Next the taxing board should be required TO
keen themselves constantly informed or any changes IN
and value OF the roads, and to change ther as
scssments in accordance herewith, and the companies
should be required communicate such information fuy
and regularly Next, SUCH information should annually
be presented TO tie Legislature. Next the pVys0 to tho
act OF 1876 should be repealed lAe TAX pdid Dy the
United Companies IS not in excess Of what would De pro-
duced by tax Oleha OF per cent upon the value
OF their works and the pr0yiso OF 1876 unjust 10 ING
State changes should be made, the amount OF
tax received railroads viii be materially Increased,
and will not be excessive upon the companies
The Governor also recommends change in the laws 50
as to reserve eni Of city streets all riparian priv
ieges in part he thinks the cost of the lunatic asyumS
might be reduced. The remainder OF the message is de-
voted to review of the State affairs and the whole Is
void political significance.
Both houses Will hold sessions tomorrow evening and
then djOum until Monday evening next when the CONF
mittees will be announced. The current printing was
awarded to-day to The Oumdet Courier publishing Com
pany The cost, according to estimates, Will be abOu6
81 900 against about $4,000 last year under the old
system. important Of the mass or bills and
resolutions introduced in the Senate this afternoon was
ioiut committee to consider and report upon a
system OF railroad taxation. This committee
Will have the consideration OF all the moro
exciting topics Of legislation this winter. senator
Salnsby presented bill 10 amend the existing u1Jlst
Hle law Of state that offender cannot 1e tired
all the twentyOne counties rs at present lie also
Joint resolution authorizing the Governor 10
apart day ArbOr Day, for the planting or trees
the public discussion ana consideration OF matters
pertaining to forestry.
Controller AnderOns annual report shows the total re-
cepts the year TO be $3,l77495 2l and the total
exbendures $3l933Ol s3 Tue increase IN the receipts
over those OF preceding year has been F}sIse6 60
The decrease in the disbursements has been SlZoo-o W.