The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-03-20
The WertS Bill Pleased Sa-
loon Keepers, Though 1t
Wasn't What They
Asked For.
UNHAPPY Mr.. WOODWARD.
Mr.. Holt, His Roommate, Tells Him
to Take Up His Satchel and
Walk.
[special to the Jersey city Ne,os.l

hotelkeepers, and such of them as remain
in town are trying to make it memorable
night fortrrenton. Nothing that Trenton
affords istoo good to celebrate the passage
Of the Werts bill in the Assembly. Titus.
the big doorkeeper, set the rules at de-
fiance and roared, Hip! hipp' when
the vote was announced. The excise
interests are echoing the cry in many
ways, and with brands ranging from
champagne to beer tonight. Half an hour
after the the thing was settled, the tele-
graph operator at the State House had
hundred dispatches on his desk, carrying
the news to all parts Of the State. The
liquor people have passed two anxious
months since the Legislature met, and,
although they have not got what they
asked, they are happy, now that they be-
lieve the matter settled. The bill will
probably go to the Governor tomorrow,
and there is no reason to believe that he
will not sign it,
1t is a good deal more of a victory for
Democratic principles than for the liquor
forces. Practically all that has been done
to eliminate the Objectionable features of
the present law and to extend its provis-
ions over gaps left open by the Repubii-
cans. None of the extreme demands put
forward before the Legislature met
and in the early days of the ses-
sion have been granted. The Democrats
found that public opinion was opposed
to lower rates for licenses than exist at
present, and they have laid down the prin-
ciple in excise legislation that it is the
right of the people of individual COM
munities TO say how much higher the
rates shall go. This is to be done through
the licensing boards where such exist and
by popular vote where licenses are granted
by the courts. This is far from wha5 was
asked but those who are affected are
happy because they have got anything.
THE GLOOMY FIGURE OF WOODWARD.
Amid the general joy one gloomy
figure is that Of Charles T. Woodward, of
the Second district of Passaic, the Re-
publican Assemblyman who voted for the
bill. He has been sharing a room here
with John T. Holt, the Republican from
the First district of the same county. 1t
is reported that after the final vote Holt
addressed him thus
'sYou go to the hotel and take your
satchel away won't stay in the same
room with you"
The Democratic leaders learned last
week that Woodward would probably
vote for the bill, but they prepared to get
along without him. Mr.. Voorhees,, the
Republican leader, heard the same thing
and asked Woodward about it. Wood
ward is reported tohave said he was sorry,
but that there were three breweries in his
district and he felt he would have to vote
Cow fbkal hill If laic To-
it. He did better, for he voted for the bill,
although thirty-one Democrats were re-
corded in favor of it.
Mr.. WoodWard'S IS name got in the news
papers week ago in connection with a
check which he is alleged to have issued
at time when he had not the necessary
money in bank to meet it.
During one roll call Mr.. Voorhees,
thought he discovered eX-Assemblyman
De Witt Bolton, of Paterson, leaning
over the railing, advising Mr.. Woodward
Mr. Voorhees, thereupon told Mr.. Wood
ward that he should vote without as
sistance or leave the chamber.
Woodward was not present at the after
noon session.
AS Republican papers are apt to have
something to say about him just now, it
may be of interest to know that he looks
to play poker. He is smooth shaven, and
wears glasses. BY occupation he is a
grocer He has served an apprenticeship
in Board of Freeholders.
One Democratic Assemblyman was alb
sen-Naughright, of Morris county He
said frankly that he could not vote for the
BILL and asked to be released from the
caucus obligation. The request was, of
course, granted. Potts, Patterson, Davis
and Mutchler were considered doubtful.
Heavy pressure was brought on
them before they made up
lectured at the caucus last week, and in
dividuals have labored with them since.
The denunciation which followed the
apostacy of Baird and Kinney in 1857 was
used with great effect. Pigott was also
used as an awful example. They are
pleased now that they have voted for the
bill and the hope Is expressed of keeping
them in line on other party measures.
The Democrats are well pleased with
their work and are entitled to credit for
the deliberation and firmness with which
the measure was pressed and the patience
with which all obstacles were overcome.
NOTABLE SPEECHES.
One speech which attracted attention
was that of Speaker Hudspeth, who left
the chair in charge of Colonel Hep
penheimer to deliver it, 1t was felt
that he was speaking more for his
constituents than for his immediate
hearers. Indeed he said that he repre-
sented an exacting district. but that,
while he might have sheltered himself
behind the Speakers privileges, he pre-
ferred to openly explain why he voted for
the bill His argument was that the
Republican law was merely a political
device full Of defects. The Werts bill
remedied these defects and would prove of
great assistance to the cause of temper
ance.
Senator Baker, the man of amendments,
came into the chamber just in time to get
tongue lashing from Mr.. Voorhees,, the
republican leader. So far as oratory and
delivery are concerned, it was the speech
of the day 1t had evidently been carefully
prepared, though Mr.. Voorhees, spoke
without notes, and the sentences were
clear and well put together. His voice is
full and pleasant and he has plenty of
| fire and expression. As for argument he
threshed the old Republican straw.
The most unlucky orator was Smith, of
| Camden He had just got under way
when Colonel Heppenheimer had the
happy thought Of limiting speakers to ten
minutes. But the unused material will
do for the next campaign.
| The best speech, all things considered,
| was that of Wiedenmayer, of Newark.
| This was it:-"My old friend, Captain
William H. Kelly, used to say, What's