The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-01-14
ABRAMS NOTABLE SPEECH.
He Endorses Grover Cleveland aud Balks
at County Division.


Specialize the Jersey CITY Ne,os.
TRENTON, Jan. 10. 1S90.-There was
scarcely room to breathe in the galleries
aud lobhies of the Senate chamber when
the time approached for organizing the
upper branch of the 18th Legislature.
The crowd blocked the aisles and over
flowed into the Hobbies so that many of
the senator's in the rear seats could not
see the presidents chair. The left of the
chamber looked like a huge bower of
roses. and the desks of Senate RS Cornish
and Barrett were SO encountered with
huge floral pieces that those two rising
young statesmen were obi ged to move
their chairs into the aisles so that they
could be seer by the president.
Promptly at three O'Clock Wilbur A.
Mott, CLERK of the last Senate called the
upper House to order, and OF motto N of
Senator Werts, Senator Cranmer. ReDub-
lican, of Ocean, was made temporary
chairman. James Butcher, of Salem;
Frederick c. Mash, of Union; Thomas S.
r. Brown. of Monmouth; George II.
Barker, Of Gloucester; William j. Keys.
of Somerset; John Cornish, of Warren,
and Michael Barrett. Democrats, and
Maurice A. Rogers, of Camden. the lone
ASNHaOAASNAf AZ 0|aHbCAof Wv bhCA
sworn in.
When Mr.. Keys credentials were pre-
sented, Senator Gardner entered q pro-
test. and presented a mass of testi-
mony in u box which looked like a cloth
ier's package. The matter went over
under the rules. Senator Adrian was
hen elected President.
SIGNIFICANT REMARKS.
Upon assuming the gavel Mr.. Adrain
satd:-
The position of a Senator elected d.
rectly by the people is Que. to my mind, of
the highest distinction. Not only do we
act in concert with the house Of Assem-
bly, in the discussion and final passage of
every bill, but the Senate has a far
ing power. From the judiciary to every
important Office held IN his State, this
body must consent and advise the Cover
nor Of its confirmation, as a prerequisite
step to the officer securing a perfect title
to the position. We are a small body,
numbering but twenty-one. each of us
representing a distinct county, not so
much a representation of the number of
as the integrity, dignity and entir ETY. of
the county. Before any legislation look
ing toward the disintegration OF any part
of this State is suggested. strong and
powerful reasons must be presented be-
fore the consent of the Senate can be Sc
cured. With this view in mind of the
character of the Senate you may readily
perceive that | appreciate the honor you
have conferred uDon me in selecting me
as your presiding officer for the ems uing
term.
1.-The Force Bill is an illustration of
an attempt by a certain party in this
country to destroy Republican govern
ment in u States. by giving TO the Fed
eral government the right to interfere in
State matters. This, then. is an encroach-
menG upon the peoples rights, u op-
posed to the principles of the Democratic
Party, which, if carried forward to its
natural result, would eventually secure
the election of the Senate In some other
manner than by the people; 1t seems to
me that men of al classes, irrespective of
party, should stamp the heel of disap-
prevail on such contemplated legislation,
which strikes at the stream OF our exist
enee.
1T Is hardly three years ago, when sud-
denly as from a clear sky burst a tariff
message: IL contained no new ideas,
merely the hardihood to press them upon
the attention Of the people. The Repub-
hcan part laughed at the message, fought
the issue and the ma and the message
returned into private life. The thinker
after such a result said Il Republican Gov
eminent Is a failure. The Republican
party contains the wisdom. The Demo-
cratic party, the party Of the people, has
the Vlr tue. What is the remedy? It Is
education, Teach the people. l believe
in the great virtue OF the people, and al
though u may take time aud may be
tossed upon tumultuous seas. they will
finally glide into a harbor of serenity and
safety. So foolharty had this party be-
come that they gave birth to the Force
bill and the Mckinley bill. The Force
bill, the most obnoxious measure ever
presented TO a people. c%linching as It does
q rivet or decay IN the great heart Of
State rights. the Mckinley bill. a
result OF that cry which came
from the mountainous heights of Scot
land waited over the seas, protection;
now dressed in a GARD of reciprocity, and
have pressed their passage upon this
country, LATHE did they dream what
time aud the educ alton of the people ia
the last three years had accomplished,
tor npon tie fourth day OF November
iast, ike a li9htRing fiisn, the news was
heralded across the wires, from one end
or the country 10 the ether. the deter
mined aud OBSTINATE ~disapproval by the
people or the attsmpt ~ destroy local