The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-08-11
Special Legislation--A Difficult CUES
ton.

local questions.
Special Legislation--A Difficult CUES
ton.
Perhaps the most important public
matter before the people of the State
at present is the question whether or
not the constitution shall be amended
S O as to permit the enactment of special
laws by the Legislature.
The question is one of infinite diff
Guilty. 1t is hard to make up ones
mind on a basis either Of abstract
principle or of immediate expediency,
for neither is the general principle
very determinate nor is it very clear
on which side the balance of practi-
cal advantage will lie.
To make it harder to form a judg-
ment, too, we find that the best minds
ofthe State are at variance, while party
lines are crossed and re-crossed in the
discussion, able leaders, both of the
Republican and the Democratic per-
suasions, being found on both sides of
the question.
In presence of so much divergence
of opinion, and feeling that there are
many weighty arguments on both
sides, we, on our own part, suspend
Judgment for the present. There are
many Democratic conventions to be
held between now and the date of the
special election, and probably formal
action will be taken at these, which
will define the attitude of the party
on the issue. Doubtless the decision
will represent the best wisdom of the
State Democracy, and we will be pre-
pared to adopt the expression of its
will as ours, unless some overwhelm-
ing reason to the contrary is shown.
Meanwhile, for the enlightenment
OF the public, we will present a series
of articles ON the question, in which
we will endeavor to embody the views
of local political leaders of both
parties, and all shades of opinion,
without prejudice. We believe in
free platform and the right of every
citizen to make up his mind for him
self with the aid of the best advice
available.
We open the discussion today with
a letter from Trenton, treating the
subject in it's general phases and
bearings. We are aware that our cor
respondent has given something of
the color of his personal views to his
article, SO that it seems in tone to
bear against the proposed amend
ment. Still we publish the article as
an able presentation of the issue, and
it will be found on careful reading
that no substantial injustice is done,
the arguments on both sides being set
forth in about equal detail. Disavow-
ing he adverse tone, as not represent
ing the position of this paper. we re-
commend the articleto our readers foi
the information it conveys.
WE have a question to put to you
Justice Stilsing. How is it, Judge,
that you are acting, not as a commit
ting magistrate, but as a trial Judge
at the hearing of the Ring bullies wht
attempted to rescue Repeater sTodt
from the custody of Captain Johr
Graham last week? Your only duty
is to enquire whether the statementso
the prosecutors of the charges againsi
the ringsters make a p9SnG .fncS'
case against them. You a heai
only the State witnesses. If their affl
davits do not show grounds for prose
cution it is your duty to discharge The
accused. If they do, it is your duty
to commit them for trial. You have
nothing whatever to do with their de
Tense, if they have any. That is fol
another court to hear; and yet yor
are permitting these fellows to pro
duce witnesses before you in theil
own behalf.
You seem to have lost sight Of thu