The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-03-13

lature. AS rule, only those bills are
acted upon which excite no opposition.
The introducers of others have them laid
over day after day because there are so
many absentees that thirty-one votes can
not be assured to them. Among the bills
thus stuck on shoals are some of the most
important measures framed by Demo
cratic policy, the Werts bill, for instance,
The Democrats have a majority in the
Legislature, but the majority seems to pre-
fer to stay at home
l asst year, at this time, it was the bliZ-
zard that kept members away. This year
fifteen members were at home attending
to the local elections. The absentees are
chiefly from the rural districts The city
members are generally shining lights as
regards regularity and punctuality. Hud-
son cOunty'S representatives deserve pic
ture cards as rewards for their devotion to
duty. 1t is true that ASsemblyman Far
rell's seat was vacant most of the time, but
that was because he had to look after the
citizens of Kearney and Harrison who
came here to oppose or advocate conSoli-
dation. 1t is believed that he got all of
them to go home finally. This is easily
the biggest thing of the year for Mr.. Far
ICli. ttAu aC WILL nave d SOOQ QCdl " ga
plain to his constituents if the measure
does not pass. On the other hand, If it
passes, the opponents of consolidation will
try to get up a blizzard for his especial
benefit.
PLANS ABANDONED.
With so many members away, the plans
of the Democratic leaders had to be
wholly abandoned The Senate held no
afternoon session, and the House occu-
pied itself with routine work as long as it
could be held together. As announced
yesterday, the Werts bill went over. There
was some talk of bringing out the bill
providing that Freeholders in Hudson
and Essex counties shall be elected, one in
each Assembly district; but this was
deemed too hazardous, and it became an
other measure which will have to be con-
sidered in a hurry, in the closing days of
the session. if it is considered at all Ac-
cording to the present intentions. the sec
tion relating to member OF the Board to
be elected at large will be stricken out
would probably be elected, and the Essex
county Democrats are not making offices
for Republicans this year.
Not much talk is heard concerning Jer-
sey City's new charter. The Newark
people are against it in its present shape,
and without their votes not much can be
done. The impression is that it will pass
the House. A like fate is prophesied for
Mr.. Fagan's bill dividing Hudson county.
The idea took with the House caucus
much better than was expected, chiefly
because the creation of a new county
would mean another Democratic Senator,
but seven, at least, out of the ten Hudson
county members, are against it. 1t is be-
lieved that their influence will be strong
enough to defeat it in the joint caucus,
whichis to be held tomorrow or next day.
"AL'' HoFFMAN's CHANCE.
Hoboken may derive some consolation
for this in the frightening chances of
Albert Hoffman of getting the lay Judge
ship of Hudson county. The choice is be-
heved at present to be between him and
Judge Beach, Judge Davis having fallen
back somewhat in the race in the last
week. Governor Green has not, however,
said any thing which indicates what his
intentions are, and it is very uncertain
whether or not he will make the appoint
ment before the Legislature adjourns.
Colonel Heppenheilner created a favor
able impression today by the manner in
which he presided over part of the debate
on the Australian Election bill. Should
Jersey City get new charter, he is talked
of for President of the Council or Presi-
dent of the Board of Aldermen whichever
the office should turn out to be-
SENATORIAL APATHY.
The Senate held short session in the
morning and held none at all In the after
noon. 1t is, perhaps, needless to say that
it passed neither the Gas bill nor the anti
sWindlecate bill With regard to the
former, it may be said that the Committee
on Corporations, in whose tender hands it
rests, has not yet held meeting to con-
slider it, although it was referred to that
body nearly two weeks ago. Yet the
Senate has been adjourning and taking
recesses because it had no work to do.
This committee consists of MeSSrS. Bogert,
Pfeiffer and Thompson.
Senator Baker introduced for President
Werts an Australian Election bill. This
will expedite matters when the House bill
on the same subject passes.
Janitor Brown, the Republican custo-
dian of the State House, smiles nowadays
when he sees a Democrat. He thinks his
head is all right new He does not care
very much for the place, but he thinks he
might as well be there as elsewhere. And
he thinks he will stay now One Demo-
cratic Assemblyman wants the place and
another has friend who wants it. Both
declare that they will not vote for the bill
reorganizing the superintendent of the
State House without a promise of the office.
Their votes being needed to pass it over
Republican opposition, the bill lags.
FREIGHT CHARGES.
Mr.. Applegate, of Heightstown, made one
of his annual addresses today after the
session 1t was about high railroad
freight charges, and he had an audience of
five Voorhees,, one of them, sat down on
sofa, put his feet on a chair aAd closed
his eyes. Riker sat on the arm of the sofa
and put his feet on the back of chair
Gill listened earnestly. Trier balanced a
chair on his hind legs, and Meeker swung
his glasses with an impartial air. The
Committee will report the bill which Mr..
Applegate thus advocated, but the chances
are that it will not be passed.
Reid and Phelpa