The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-03-22
Abrams Ruined Reputation.

Abrams Ruined Reputation.
Nothing about the recent Legis-
lature is more pitiable than the wreck
of the reputation of Robert Adrain.
the Senator from Middlesex. This
man has unquestionable ability, and
at one time, his sometime nomination
for the Governorship, seemed to be a
probability. Today, he figures as
one of the most hated and depised
men in the State, and deservedly so.
Adrain has been going from bad to
worse, during the last TWO or three
years of his Legislative career, but this
year capped the climax. Not only did
he figure, throughout, as the tool and
creature of the race tracks; he further
made the worst kind of a record in
connection with all Sorts of bills af-
fecting corporations.
In the case of a man like Flynn,
such conduct is not surprising. 1t is
just what you expect in the first place,
and it does not materially alter your
estimate of the man. But it is at once
matter for pity and wrath when a
man. who knows better and who
should be above the level of corrupt
ing influences, becomes the ally OF all
who are wicked and the promoter OF
everything that is injurious to the
State.
Abrams course during the nine
weeks of the Bad Legislature has
won him the unqualified condemn
alton of every man, woman and child
of common honesty in the State. No
one has a good word to say for him.
But the special occasion of our re-
marSs, today, is the anecdote told OF
him by the New York World this
morning, as follows
The railroad employees Of New Jersey are as
angry as hornets over the manner in which
Senator Cornish S bill 10 protect them against
intimidation was smothered- Inc measure
proh ibited corporations from requiring en-
ployes to pledge themselves not 10 JON or re-
tGin membership in any brotherhood or LABOR
organization. Behind it was the comelned
force of practically all the railroad workers IN
the State, although the most active were those
employed on the Delaware, Lackswanna and
Western Railroad between Hoboken and Phil
Iipsburg. After great pulling and hauling, Sen
ator Cornish put the bill through the Senate, as
a majority did not dare go on record against 1t.
Notwithstanding the corporation influence.
The bill passed the Senate five days before
final adjournment. Then the funny business
really began. Senator Cornish wanted Presi.
dent Adrain to sign the bill at once and take 1t
over to the House. where a majority or the
members had already been pledged to It.
Certainly said the smiling President.
Anything to oblige you"
LOB. have YOU signed that bill yet?' the
Senator from Warren asked next day.
or that railroad bill of yours? Now, do
you know l can't find it anywheref"
.That's strange rejoined Senator Cornish,
and he looked sharply at the President.
Isn't it, now. very stranger and as he said it,
the Pride of Middlesex looked straight at his
questioner with a face that looked the picture OF
innocence.
.sTll make another effort to find it :" he add ed.
"I'd like to help you OUT
1t was the same story every day till the end,
except that as the closing hour came near,
President Adrain became warmer in his sym
pathy and more emphatic in his expressions OF
regret at the mysterious disappearance OF the
bill.
After the adjournment, Secretary Thompson
found the measure tucked away in a nice little
corner of the Presidents private graveyard.
Keeping it company was the bill enabling the
State Arbitration Board to compel the attend
ance of witnesses.
It is characteristic that the ally of
the Race Tracks and of bob" Davis,
and the supporter of all sorts OF cor
porate legislation should be the man to
strangle honest measures proposed in
the interest of the workingmen of the
State.