The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-01-13

tIIuEE 10 Au4Ahs NtIaL ~ ~ ~ IIE
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES in refrigerator
cars from poi& outside of the state. there
by enabling 1t to reach the market In much
better condition than from any point with
in the state.
lions the committed decided, among other
things, to approve the passage of an act
similar to hat proposed by assembly bill
5c9 for the creation Of q railroad commits
sion.
On the subject Of tax revision the COM
mittee decided to postpone further con-
sideration thereof until the tax commission
reported to the legislature.
The committee also recommended the
printing OF the laws in pamphlet form in
stead of in newspapers. It favored a new
road law and al act for protecting sheep
and poultry from dogs. Il also formulated
a memorial to congress. asking for certain
legislation which II deemed desirable.
The state grange also presents, as two OF
the principal evils to be remedied by legis-
lation, the subjects of unequal taxation OF
property u unjust discrimination In
transportation charges BY common car
riers.
A joint committee of the legislature was
appointed on March II, 1900, which acted
This committee made n separate report, in
which it recommended:
First-The passage of an act 70 prohibit
unjust discrimination In freight rates by
common carriers.
Second-An act prohibiting the sale of
oleomargarine. and other articles Of the
same nature.
Third-The passage of an act protecting
sheep and poultry from dogs.
Fourth-An act providing for the sys-
tematic building and maintaining Of pub
lie roads.
Fifth-For the revision of the tax laws,
so hat y fair and equitable basis Of assess
ment of property might be established in
tbs state.
/ desire to call attention to the commu-
nications Of the president and secretary Of
the state board of agriculture. The presi-
dent, among other things, expresses the
thanks of the board for the increased APP
preparation recommended by the governor,
and made at the last session of the legisla-
ture. He calls special attention to the dis
elimination in railroad freights, and cites
instances of peculiar hardship arising
therefrom. He criticises the State Agri-
cultural college, and Is opposed to the free
scholarships provided for in the act OF
March 81, 1890 laws of 1890, p. 16D. He
urges the necessity of immediate efforts to
secure an agricultural state exhibit for the
Worlds fair at Chicago, which will direct
attention to the advantages presented by
this state. He also urges a simplification
of the road laws.
The report Of the secretary of the board
is a most interesting document, and should
receive the careful attention of the legis-
lature. 1t shows active. careful and con-
scientious work, and the facts collected
will be of great advantage to the legislat-
i've committees having charge of this sub
ject.
After careful consideration Of the entire
subject. and with an earnest desire to sug
gest some practical methods of relief. l
have reached the conclusion that, indie
pendent of intelligent action on the part of
the farmers to adapt themselves to the
changed condition Of affairs, as suggested
by the secretary of the state board in his
report, the greatest measures of relief must
come from congress. 1t is the duty of the
legislature, however, to do all that lies
within its constitutional powers to relieve
this industry from unjust burdens. To
secure this desirable result | recommend:
1. That the tax laws be amended. /
have fully considered this matter else
where in my message under the head OF
taxation.
2. / recommend that there be created a
commissioner of agriculture, TO be APP
pointed by the governor and confirmed
by the senate, whose duties shall be de-
fined by law, and embrace those usually
vested in such an official under the legisla-
ton of other states.
| also advise that the secretary of the
state board of agriculture act as his secre-
tary, so as to bring him in direct relation
with the state board, and secure the bene-
9,of active cooperation with the repre-
sentative farmers organizations of the
state. | am satisfied that the interests of
agriculture will be greatly advanced by
having a state official whose duty it will
be to inquire into all the grievances and
complaints of those engaged in agriculture,
ascertain the views Of representative organ
i~zations of that industry, and devise meas
ures for practical relief.
3. recommend legislation to provide for
the building and maintaining of good
roads under a thorough and efficient sys-
tenn. Public highways are for the benefit
not only of local communities, but of the
entire public, and the state might rea-
sonably assist localities which by their
action show a desire to secure such advan-
tages.
i. That there should be a railroad com
mission, similar to that now in existence
in many states of the Union, with power to
hear all complaints of unjust freight dis
elimination and other grievances, and to
make such order and decree in reference to
the matter as will secure relief.
Other states have found such commits
sions of advantage, not only to the people,
but to the corporations engaged in trans
p~ortation. Two bills were pending before
the last legislature to accomplish this re-
suit: one, assembly No. $50, providing for
an independent commission TO be appointed
by the governor and confirmed by the SEN
ate; the other, senate bill No. So, conferred
the powers of railroad commissioner upon
the present state board of assessors. Either
of these acts would afford great relief. The
bill should provide for the hearing Of all
parties, with the right to appeal to the
courts. Under such a law no one could be
injured, and every citizen would have an
independent tribunal where his grievances
might be heard and redressed.
While there are evils which should be
remedied by national and state legislation,
in order to secure the farming industry
that fair and proper consideration TO which
1t is entitled, nevertheless New Jersey pos
sesses advantages and inducements for in
vestmen which, if known to those desir-
ing to purchase lands for purposes of agri-
culture or otherwise, would naturally at
tract wealth and population.
While there is q depreciation of values of
farm lands according TO statistics pub
lished by the department of agriculture of
the United States in 1889, the value of land
is greater per acre in New Jersey than it is
In any other state in the Union.
The value of land depends, first, upon
its producing capacity; second, upon its
nearness to market; third, its adjacency to
railroad or water lines OF transportation
and travel, and fourth, its availability as
sites for country or suburban residences,
or pleasure and health resorts. The lands
of New Jersey possess these advantages IN
n marked degree. = By the census
of 1890 there is a population IN this state of
zoe. 600 within a radius of twenty-five miles
of New York, and 10000 in this state
within a radius of twenty-five miles OF
Philadelphia. The ratio OF in