The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-05-11
THE PEOPLES CHAMPION.
Governor Albeit Making
Ready to Battle With
Monopoly for Cheap
Coal.
HIS FORMAL STATEMENT.
Probably Law Enough Already
If Not There Will Be an
Extra Session.
HIS FORMAL STATEMENT.

Special to the jersey Citg NeiUs.
TRENTON, May IL, 1892.-Within the
private rooms of the executive Office at
the State House yesterday consultation
of greater Importance than any that has
taken place there in a long time was held.
Those who participated in it were Gov
ernor Abbett Attorney General Stockton.
Barker Gummere and ex-Judge Allan l..
McDermott.
1t was eleven o'clock when the doors
were closed to everyone but these gentle
men, and it was four hours later
when they were opened. During
the long conference it became
rumored about that the Governor
was about to take decisive action in the
coal combine matter and very soon. such
prominent men as Chief Justice Beasley,
Benjamin +. Lee. Garrett A, Hobart.
President Adrain, Editors, Senators. and
Assemblymen could be observed walking
about the corridors.
THE LONG WAIT.
All were waiting for the result of the
conference. President Adrain and Sena-
tors Perkins. Cornish and Barrett after
weary wait retired to the office of
Superintendent Ford and there dis
cussed the probabilities apG possi-
bilities. There seemed to be
unanimous feeling that the
Governor would attack the com bine, but
exactly how, no one knew. 1t had been
rumored that suits In the Court of Chan
Gerry and in the low courts would be
Immediately begun, and the subject of
special meeting of the Legislature in cou-
nectiOn with the matter was likewise dis
cussed. Everyone was In doubt until
after the legal advisers departed, and
then the Governor sent for tho represen-
tatives of THE JERSEY CITY NEWS and
other newspapers.
When they entered the office, the Gov
ernor in quiet but determined manner
made the following statement for pub
licationi-
THE GOVERNORS STATEMENT.
II have had conference this morning
at which the Attorney General. Mr..
Barker Gummere and Judge McDermott
were present. The matter OF the Coal
Combine was gone over thoroughly, and
the Attorney General stated that he and
Mr.. Gummere had been busliV engaged
examining the authorities and getting in
formation for the proper legal proceed
ings. I suggested that proceedings be
taken both at common law and in Cham
Gerry to have the charters OF the roads
which are violating the statute forfeited.
Proceedings in Chancery might be taken
to obtain in the first place preliminary
injunction, and afterwards final decree
and Injunction, restraining these corpor-
ationt from violating the law. and from
doing anything directly or indirectly in
continuance of the present arrangement,
under which the price of coal has been in
creased"
SPECIAL SESSION PERHAPS.
swell, Governor, will there be a special
session Of the LEGISLATURE called to con-
slider the question:"
The Governor paused for moment, and
then contiuued:-
1--WE have also discussed the question
of calling special session for the pur-
pose OF having additional legislation.
The Attorney General is of the opinion
that 1t Is not necessary; that adequate
and full relief can be obtained under the
law as it stands now, il the facts can be
made to appear to the court as they have
been stated in the newspapers. l have
the matter.still under advisement, how
ever. as to the necessity or wisdom OF 1t.
but l shall leave 1t open until l see the
legal papers, and possibly until the Chan
cellor has acted upon the application for
"a preliminary injunction which the At
torney General will make. Ii at any
stage OF the proceedin gs l am satisfied
that the ordinary processes OF law are not
sufficient to bring the matter to an i'm
mediate and final hearing, or that the
law. as it now stands, is insufficient to
give the necessary relief, then shall call
the Legislature together and Suggest to
them my views of what may be found to
be necessary to bring the matter to
speedy determination
PENAL ENACTMENTS.
II shall consult with counsel as to the
forms of the bills to lie suggested to the
Legislature at that time. II u special ses-
sion is called, and IL is ascertained that
the continuance of this com binatiou Is not
already common law offense punishable
under our statute, one of the questions for
the LEGISLATURE to consider would be the
wisdom of clearly defining the continu-
ance as crime, and fixing adequate pun
ishment therefor. A special session
might also be useful in providing for
more speedy hearing by the court. II the
Attorney General finds that there is no
necessity for or usefulness In additional
legislation, and l am satisfied from the |
progress OF the cases that such Is the fact. |
then of course shall not put the State to |
the expense OF special session. That ex-
pense. however, l think can be limited |
within q very reasonable sum, because |
there would be no necessity of acting upon |
anything except the extraordinary features |
presented by the result of the present coal |
combination. This matter however, l |
will hold in abeyance until can advise |
with the Attorney General and associate !
counsel so as to ascertain clearly what |
can be done nnder existing laws.
TEN DAYS DELAY.
ain my Judgment it will take at least |
ten days or two weeks before the papers |
are finally prepared because the Attorney |
General has not yet been able to obtain |
possession of all the papers necessary to |
show exactly the arrangement between |
these companies. He has Just received |
copies OF the leases, but has not yet re- |
ceiveu copies of other papers which exist, |
and which show the connection between |
the foreign and the New Jersey corpora
tions.
THIRTY-rHlRD CONCLAVE.