The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-02-09
HURRY UP, GENTLEMEN.
General Complaint of the
SlOWneSs Of the
Legislature.
THE GREAT TAX BILL
Barker Gummere Is Working Hard
On It-Trenton Odds
and Ends.

<pfctot 70 ne SrFsoa tssb HcA7s
TRENTON. Feb. Q, 1s91-Governor ABB
bett seems to be annoyed at the tardiness
Of the present Legislature. Four weeks
have passed by and nothing has been ae-
complisned. and it looks bad for him to de-
liver his promise OF short and econom-
ical session. In q conversation with
correspondent he made the observation
that sit is getting to be weariness long
drawn out"
He fails TO see just what causes the de-
lay, and can offer no better explanation
than a general indisposition TO get down
to work. The Senate adjourns because
the House sends no bills over, and tho
House anjourns because no bills get on
the calendar. The committees cannot
get down 10 business, and the clerks
shove the responsibility on one another
Unless both branches change their tactics
the session will be protracted until April,
and If it is. the Governor wiz lose MS
temper, which is not hard job for him
70 do. and he viii shut up shop, as hekdin
last year when his patience gave out
The Governor is responsible for the
statement that the Apportionment bill
will be ready in about two weeks. The
Democratic Assemblymen and the Ssna-
tors are now looking through their bailt-
wicks with view Of ascertaining how
much clipping and hacking VIII be neces-
sary to perpetuate the power OF the DOM
inant party. The reports are TO be made
during the coming week. when the Cau-
Gus Committee on ApDortionment VIII
begin the task OF redistrictina the State
The Governor thinks there will not be
much change made. except in Hudson
and Essex The South Jersey counties
viii nearly all escape disturbances.
THE BIG TAX REF0RM BILL
During the past week Barker Cum
mere, Sr.. the well known Constitutional
lawyer. and chairman Of the Tax Com
mission, has been at WORK on the general
tax bill. He is giving it his personal at
tent1on, and is assisted by the counsel tor
the commission. Laws OF this character
always bring about numerous legal CON
tests on Constitutional ground, and the
greatest care is being taken TO make 1t a
perfect bill.
On this account the work progresses
slowly. 1t will be q long bill. covering
about fifty pages. and viii not be ready
for at least ten days. 1t viii probably Do
introduced by Senator Marsh. although
the constitution requires that bills Tor
raising State revenue must originate IN
the House. While there is conflict Of
opinion. it seems 10 be clear 10 the minds
Of majority of the commission that II Is
not bill Tor raising revenue, but bill
providing q better means of collecting
better TO have it start in the Senate.
The debate can be more restricted and
the subject better ventilated than IN the
House, which IS a rather talkative body
This year. Il will take along time 20 se-
cure its passage through both houses
The Governor. however, VIII take hana
in the matter. and will prevent as tar as
possible, any useless discussions and de-
lays.
MINOR TOPICS OF KTEREst-
State ComDtroller-elees .HepPenheimer
and State 1rezsurer-eleot Grey nave de-
cided 10 take the oath Of Office on Monday
morning, March 16. The former furnishes
bonds to the amount Of $4,000 and the
latter 5000 600 There is no examlnuon OF
accounts in the TreasuPer's Office, because
these officers can be impeached two years
after their retirement, and their bonds
men are practically never released, lor
the bond remains on nle-
There are many contradictory rumors
as to what Major Anderson will do. but
that official himself has made no state
/ ment. Some say that he Is 20 be made q
member of the State Board Of Assessors,
others that he viii be Tax Commlss
| sioner when the new board is created.
| While Governor Albeit is said to be well
disposed toward the Major, IL is safe 20
| presume that there are too many political
| considerations TO be noticed TO predicb
that there will be any crumbs fall from
/ the Democratic laUlS lutO tLc lct-GAA4 8
1 ComDtroller's grip
| Ex-Congressman Thomas Ferren Is not
/ TO oe made the chief clerk of the state
| Treasurer's office, but viii be made the
new Commissioner OF the Sinking funu-
as the old commission is 10 be abolishs<z
and the business given TO the State Treas
urer, and this viii require additional
help. The indications are that Joseph
Hulme of Mt Holly viii not be disturbed
for some time to come. The new Treas
urer will need an experienced adviser
aud he will have an efficient helpmate in
| Chief Clerk Hume.
Tomorrow afternoon the taking of tes'
| timony in the McAdams-Engard contest
for the seat Of the Second Assembly Dis
| trict Of Camden county Will begin Il L
| thought that this will be a repetition oi
the Atlantic City farce Assent blyman
! Nash, who stirred up the trouble. IS also
responsible for this. McAdams claims
he is going TO unearth q state Of rotten
ness that viii make the Hudson fraud
| look insignificant Engard declares he
has no fear OF any political scandal and
| that it is the old scheme 10 manuIaeEurs
z-s.a ?