The Sunday tatler and Jersey City express. (Jersey City, N.J.) 1883-1886, 1885-02-22
SUNDAY. FEBRUARY %, 1856.
Whatever may be thought Of Senate Bill

there can be but enc opinion concerning
the Judgment of such extraordinary powers
In the hands either of a railroad or munich
Pal corporation. The bill is dangerous in
the extreme, and that it is intended to APP
ply to Jersey City, need hardly be ques-
toned, since there is no other city in the
State to which it can apply. And under its
provisions, if the interested corporation
can secure the compliance of the munich
pal authorities every street which abutted
upon either Harsimus or the South Cove
In 1854, which at that time were under
tIde-water, may be vacated, not as to the
part used or desired to be used by the rail-
road, but through its entire length. Any
one who wishes to know how much of old
Jersey City this would leave need only con-
suit the map. Perhaps this may be an ex-
treme view, but when the agents of cor
poration place before the Legislature bill
OF this character and to inquiries as to its
meaning merely reply, "There is the bill
make what you can of i'll" only an extreme
view is permissible. Mr.. Cole said at
Thursday nights meeting that the best in
formation which could be had pointed to
an elevated coal road from ssPoint of
Rocks" to the South Cove. But there is
already trestle over the ground indicated,
and the needs of the case do not
seem to require the vacation of any
streets. Another report says that the
object of the measure is to prevent bridge
over the gap" while still another rumor
says it is designed to cut the Lehigh Val
ley off from the West Line grant. Any of
these might be the object of the bill, but
no one but its projectors can tell, and they
will not. Under the circumstances the
public is warranted in assuming the worst
possible view of the case. The manner in
which the bill was forced through the
Senate is also a portent of evil. Mr..
Brinkerhoff was almost the only Senator
who had the courage to raise his voice
against the iniquity, and while he made a
manly fight in opposition to the measure,
his efforts were useless. The friends of
the bill had everything cut and dried. Mr..
Brinkerhof could not even obtain the
ordinary delay he was by courtesy entitled
to, and as for an amendment looking to
she protection Of Jersey City, it was laugh
ed at. But bis fight against the bill en-
titled him to the public thanks, regardless
of the result. The House Committee has
promised the opponents of the bill hear
ing next Tuesday evening, and some think
. vigorous protest at that time may secure
its defeat. Possibly it may, but we doubt
it. The same power which forced it through
the Senate will also force it through the
Assembly, and there is probably no help
for it. But is there not suspicion that
this bill may be unconstitutional The
fundamental law requires that the title of
bill shall denote its purposes. But here
is bill whose purpose is not apparent,
even from a perusal of its full text. WHY
should not such bill be void for want of
directness? All laws must be
general. but here is proposed law so
gratuitously general that not even its friends
and sponsors can tell what it means.
A gentleman who contributed an editor
ial to the SUNDAY TATTLER of last Sunday
upon the subject of the military camping
ground at Manasquan, wrote, without q
full knowledge of all the facts, in opposi-
zion thereof. The publications heretofore
made in the SUNDAY TATTLER indicate clear
ly enough that, in its opinion, the purchase
is wise one and should be consummated
It is splendidly located, and admirably fit
ted for the purposes to which it is proposed
to devote it; and in the long run the State
viii be the gamer, financially, by owning
Its own camping grounds. Apart from the
fact that such a resort must contribute to
the efficiency and discipline of the State
militia, the State will save enough, in the
outlay it now makes for the purpose, to paw
the full amount of the purchase money in
a few years. The site has been selected
with great care, and the purchase is about
10 be made on the most favorable terms.
Senators especially Democratic Senators
have no right to absent themselves from
their seats. The Republicans stand ready
70 take advantage of every point of vantage
they find against their political opponents.
and the absence of a Democratic Senator or
two may, in the partisan view, be danger
GUS to the interests Of the party. Senator
Miller, of Bergen, is she notable absentee.
He has been in his seat only once this ses-
sion. The rest Of the time his place has
been vacant. If the Democracy loses
ground or opportunity by the absence of
sny of its servants the men through whom
the loss comes need expect to be shown no
political favors whatever. Apart from all
that, the counties that elect them have a
right to demand that they shall not be left
AState Senator is the SER
PANT of his constituents, and owes duty
10 them that he has no right to neglect.
Let all the Senators see that they answer to |
.on call at every session of the Senate.
Bayonne is frightened over the report
hat the Kills are 10 be bridged at Bergen
Point and railroad run to Jersey City by |
hat route from Staten Island, the Pennsyl-
rama being theinterested corporation. We |
nave an idea that the Bayonne Aldermen
lave been frightened by bugbear. Pos
III Kt1Yr /. Al