The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-02-10

BAD BALLOT ''RHFORM.'
Atrociously Bad Proposal
TO Amend the Elec-
ton Law.
MISLEADING ARGUMENTS.
Legislators Who Fear Inc Wicked
Striker-GeneraI Trenton
News.
Spectacle lie Jersey ciiy Ne,os.

been saying all along that He--with a big
H-wouId adjourn the House earlier this
year than ever before, and many of the
more sanguine insiders began to talk OF
March 4 as the final adjournment.
One of the reasons advanced for the
early adjournment was that this would be
would be no speeches, and bills would be
rushed through with just the time-hon-
oIed formula, "This is a good bill, and
ought to pass" ALI the predictions, how
ever, nave failed. This is essentially
u tnlky House, and orators nave
cropped out in unexpected places
opening night. Even our Tumilty
blossomed yesterday afternoon with an
oratorical display.
1t was the intention to rush the calen-
dar through Yesterday afternoon and ad-
journ for the week, but this calculation
ingly interesting and amusing debate on
Kaiisch's bill amending the Ballot
Reform Law so that nominations need be
filed ten days before election instead OF
twenty.
AN UTTERLY A BILL.
Tommy Lane led off by opposing the
bill. No law on the statute book, he salq,
had been so carefully draw as this Bal
lot Reform Law. and he declared that IL
should not be torn as under or tempered
with now. Twenty days was short time
enough for the people to become ac-,
quaiuted with the manner. of man VINO
was seeking their suffragas. A man who
feared the scrutinizing gaze OF the pub
lie, and dared not submit to the sltting
process that his record must undergo.
was not worthy to be chosen as the repre-
sensitive of the people.
Mr.. Lane argued that such changes as
this only served AS the stepping stones to
other and more sweeping changes, which
would soon wipe out the reform featu res
Of the system. -,
Mr.. Kalisch c%ontended that the original
twenty days requirement., besiues being
uncalled for, worked a hardship. In a
thickly settled district the candidate was
subjected to mental and physical trials
that those in the rural districts knew
nothing of. The Werts law, lie claimed,
aimed at a secret ballot, tho question OF
time within which a nomination should
be filed being merely on incidental.
MR.. o'NEILL's PLEA.
Hudson next took Tho hoor In the per
son of Mr.. O'Neill. who argued earnestly
for the bill. He spoke feelingly of the
trials and tribulations of the Hudson
candidate among the heelers and strikers
of his district. Mr.. Beekman OF Middle
sex spoke of how the strikers in his
county sit all night on q candidates
stoop SO as to strike him when he comes
out in the morning, and Mr.. Tumllty
said that in his district he could become
acquainted with more men than he want
ed to know In ten years.
ESSEX EXPERIENCE.
I'll funniest speech of the debate was
mnde by young Tom Cavanagh of "de
old Tweft,H the unterriied ward OF New
ark. He said:-
.Gentlemen, permit me to say a word
about campaigns. will tell you OF the
=, !, me- g .,.1 4f trta yuua a
robust young man when I accepted the
nomination for the Assembly last fall. II
some OF You people were In my shoes you
wouldn't be fighting this amendment
now. Ny district doesn't even embrace
an entire ward, but there are four brew
cries there and more saloons than there
are in any other district in the State.
mink OF the beautiful opportunities a
candidate has in that district of running
up a bank account / had to
attend four meetings q night and
nav my respects TO the saloons. l thought
/ knew something about politics before
this. but / know more now Why, six
target excursions went out from that
district In one day and goodness knows
how many balls, parties and raff1es went
on at night. MY WIFE became utterly als-
gusted with politics. After the CAM
paign was over l went TO my bed with
nervous prostration and did not leave 1t
for a month. 1 thought l would never
leave it alive.
II believe in nominating a man tonight
say, and electing him tomorrow. GENTLE
men, | thank you."
Mr.. Cavanagh's gestures, accent and
earnestness OF manner were all so comb
cal that he kept the floor and galleries in
a constant roar of laughter.
. Mr.. Potts declared that the law
was an experiment. and he thought that
it ought not to be meddled with until it
had a fair trial, Mr.. Heaney also made
an amusing speech in favor OF the amend
ment picturing his woes as d candidate at
Two elections. Father Nash would no
let the opportunity pass without indulg-
ing in some of his peculiar eloquence
against the amendment. The amend
menr was carried by a vote OF 80 to II.
Mr.. Potts fought nard for q night ses-
sion but the House concluded to adjourn
until this morning.
BERGEN COMES DOWN.
After the noon recess yesterday
Speaker Bergen sought out Mr.. kalisch
and told him that in refusing to recognize
him as he had, he did not intend to show
MIR. Kalisch any ~discourtesy. On the
contrary he considered Mr.. Kaiisch one
of the most valued members of the House
and entitled to the greatest conSidera-
ton at his hands. The Speaker further
said that he had not seen OF heard Mr.
Kalisch when he claimed the noor and ne
was sorry he had not afforded HIM an OPP
u%ortunity to be heard on O,Neilps library
bill.
MIR. Kalisch replied that he knew the
Speaker had been i'll since the opening OIL
the session, and he was sAtlsned with the
Sneakers explanation. Mr.. Bergen also
apologized to Mr.. Flynn. upon whom he
sat most unceremoniously one night some
time ago..
HOUSE JoTTINGs.
The House passed resolutions Of con
dolence with state Comptroller William
- .o11aItnr1t np HI1nnn thA 6AACh 0f M!
brother Edward.
Mr.. Potts proposed to have the mail o.
the members looked after aud secured
the passage of a resolution directing th'
Serpeant-at-arms to designate one of hi;
assistants as postmaster. The Post
master is to look after all the mail OF the
members and keep stamps for their &C
commodatiop.
STILL THEY COME.
striking, Cranky snd Just a Few Goot
Bills Introd uced.