The Jersey City news., 1892-03-11
CLASSIFYING CITIES.
General StOckton's 0pinion-Fire
Escapes Travel Slowly
Local Measures.
special to the Lerseu cftu Mems.

TRENTON, March II, 892.-Attorney
General Stockton submitted an opinion
ON the matter of classfications of cities
yesterday in response to a resolution by
Senator Hinchliffe. The Attorney Gen
eral Says
In my opinion it would be perfe city compe-
tent to make classification within the existing
classification and legisate for such grades in
cases where the legislative object is one nat
urally Incl dent to the bases on which the clas-
si1cation is made. 1t was held by the Court OF
Errors in the case of Mortland VS.. Christian
that population may be made the basis
of classification in statute relating to
counties OF the State and their internal affairs
in cases where the legislative object is ia. nat
uraly incident to population if the object of
legislation is equally appropriate to cities not
embraced within the classification, the cassi-
cation would be termed illusory, and the act
would be held unconstitutional II is necessary
that all OF the same class shall be embraced
within the law In order to comply with the con
appointing Port Wardens for cities OF the sea-
shore need not embrace inland cities of the same
population, because the circumstance that they
are ports is the basis on which the legislation is
founded.
A statute framed in compliance with that act
will be construed accordingly and upon such
classification adapted is such in substance as TO
bring the statute within the category of general
laws. Population may be made the basis of
classification in statutes relating to municipal
bodies and their police powers, but such clas-
sification cannot be made the means of evading
the con stitutional interdict of local or special
laws where The classification is plainly ilusory.
1t would be constitutional to grade cities with
in the existing classtications according to the
population thereof and legislate for such grades;
but the basis on which the grade is founded
must not be illusory and the legislative OBJ ject
must bc naturally Incident to the basis.
WORKED TILL MIDNIGHT.
The House held three sessions yester
day and the night session lasted until
midnight. 1t cleared its calendar. how
ever, and advanced many bills before the
Speaker allowed thom to go home. The
Speaker appointed Messrs. Wright, Will
son aud ketcham the committee TO en-
deavor to discover the birthplace of the
Legislature in accordance with the reso-
lutions, of Mr.. Parker of Monmouth,
adopted some time age" rand several places
in the State are fighting for that honor,
and now those disputes are to be settled
forever.
The bill giviHg stockholders Of banks
aud insurance companies one vote for each
share of stock held was passed .and so was
the bill providing that when stock COM
pany fails to organize, those paying their
subscription shall be paid back. The
proposition to send three men to Holland
at the expense of the State to study that
country's system of dykes with view to
adapting them to the New Jersey coast,
was voted down.
There was little talk at the evening
sessions Bills we're rushed through al
such rapid rate that the voice of Stagg,
the Reading Clerk. gave out and our own
Potts, with his stentorian vocal attach
ment, had to take his place,
AFTER DOGS.
II the Senate concurs III a bill pissed
by the House everyone owning deg will
have to pay S. liceuce for it.
Mir. Heanev's bill authorizing the Free
holders TO All vacancies in their Board