The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-12-24
THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

The approaching legislative session
does not promise, from anything at pre-
sent discernible, to be very exciting or
important one. But these indications
are often misleading. a week before the
last Legislature met it seemed as though
it would be ono of the tamest and most
uneventful sessions ever held, whereas it
turned out to be one of the most exciting
and important. 1t revolutionized the tax
system of the State. Experience gen.
orally discloses that such sweeping
changes are defective, and the tax sys-
tenn of last Winter seems to be no exeep-
ton TO the rule. The great railroad cor
porations are all Directing to it as un-
fair and unconstitutional in some of its
provisions, and are preparing to contest
its enforcement. This will most likely
lead to some additional perfecting legis-
lation this Winter, and this subject will
probable be the absorbing and important
feature of the session. The objections of
the railroads will either be removed by
modifying provisions or, if deemed equi-
table, the laws perfected and made en-
forceable.
Another leading feature of the session
will be an attempt to secure a new char
tor for Jersey City. The citizens of that
municipality are very much dissatisfied
with the present charter on several
grounds. The appointing power is COM
planned of by some, the numerous and
complex system of Boards is objected to
by Others and simpler and less expen-
sive system of government is desired by
all but the local spoilsmen and pot-house
politicians. The difficulty is in securing
desirable amendments under the restric.
tions of the amended constitution, which
requires that all such legislation shall be
general. Newark has system which
suits her. and she does not want to have
any of Jersey City's peculiar features
foisted upon her. while complete change
to Newark s system would be too revolu-
tionary for Jersey City to adopt. There
is some talk of a complete repeal of her
charter, and a Reorganization dc moro un-
der tho general law.
Other subjects of interest will be tenn
perance and excise legislation. The Pro-
hibitionists have already announced their
purpose of applying for the adoption of a
resolution submitting prohibitory
amendment to the people, while several
propositions to amend the local exercise
systems will come up from numerous
parts of the State. The probability seems
to be, from the indications of the popular
temper throughout the State, that the |
temperance people will fare less kindly
at the hands of The Republican Legisla-
ture than is usually the case. Anything
that comes before it fathered by the polit-
ical cranks who gave New Jersey to
Cleveland, will be likely to meet cold
reception. Still, this feeling will not be
likely to extend to the friends of the tenn
perance cause generally. AT all events it
should not.
Some new county projects, propositions
to reduce the legal rate of interest the
Joint Meeting appointments and the
Governors nominations, will also aid in
giving interest to the approaching SEES.
sion. Take it altogether, the session of
the one hundred and ninth Legislature
will probably by of fully average interest.
State Gazette.