New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-29
THE JERSEY CITY CHARTER.
WHAT WILL THE COURTS DO WITH 1T!-DIVoRcE
IN NEWJERSEY.


IN NEw7JERsEY.
Trenton, n. j., April 2S.-The sooner the Jersey
CITY case Is taken to the courts and finally decided
the less perlous will be The condition OF the tan
naycrs of that unfortunate and ringrldden munich
pallty. The appointments made by Mayor Ccvc-
land were precisely those expected by the members
of tho Legislature who knew something of the inside
history Of the passage Of the Charter BILL Senator
Edwards, who introduced the measure and pushed
II through the Senate, is made Corporation Counsel
and Assemblymen O'Nell and Fecney and Speaker
Hudspeth were literally rewarded with the plumber
Of Office. When the bill was up for consideration,
O'Nein acknowledged that he expected a place. but
the ether men denied that there was bargain.
The truth of the charges is now proven Inc deot
of tho city IS so large. the taxes already so high,
and the sinking fund TO meagre, that the mfSoVcrh-
mcnt feared from these spoilsmen is a pressing
danger The faction Of the court IS awaited with
particular interest Tho delegation OF power by the
Legislature is not permitted The new ohar"r
went into effect only after the people had voted upon
1t, and this is said to be delegation WITHIN INC
prohibited degree. An examination OF previous
decisions by tho Supreme Court has shown that inc
court has dextcrousy avoided decding this point
in other cases. and it could now settle the question
without conflicting with former decisions Counsel
will insist upon a ruling 10 this pont, and mo
hardly avoid II now. should the char,er
be upset on this ground. the decision would sISo
and most Of them more mertorous than The act al
issue.
The condition Of divorce procedure in NcwJerscy
attracts attention. Several times lately there nave
been indications that the State was sought as con
venient place to loosen. we'll as to tie, the matr
monial bonds There has been some justice In the
charges which have been made upon occasion, and
the divorce rate from 1883 TO 1ses was o02O Per
900 marriages. against 1880 per 600 in the
term ended by the previous five years. Divorces arc
granted by the Court of Chancery and the system has
been refer the TO any one OF the scores Oh
especial masters and to adopt the masters report
The proceedings usually secret. and IT is known
that DEGREES have been granted without as fair
chance for the defendant as Justice should require
Chancellor McC has, Ii is understood, determined 10
have all divorce heard by four or five selected
special masters and to refuse To grant references
to any others. Publicity would greatly reduce The
number Of applications.
The Governor still has a hundred bills passed by
the Legislature under consideration. Should he sign
them ALL the number of new laws would be about
3l5 800, or somewhat above the average number.
general interest In the publication OF the new
statutes in the newspapers The law requires it, and
there IS no money 10 pay for IT. such Is also lhr
case with reference to the Sea Grt encampment OF
the First brigade this year. The Centennial oh:
scIvance will cost the State considerable sum- and
where the money to pay for other State expenses.
outside Of salaries is to come from IS an uns0lvcd
problem that Is puzzng the brains Of State officials