The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-11-10
THE ASSEMBLY DECISION.
1t Seems to Give satisfaction to
Democrats and Republicans
Alike.


In all political circles last night the
topic uppermost was Justice DsDue's de-
cision declaring that tbs election Of As
semblymen by districts Is unconstitu-
tional and void. and, strange Co say, both
democrats and republicans seemed to be
pleased withit. Never was there such a
wonderful decision which satisfied every
eody all around. The democrats eener-
ally think that since the republicans
can't gerrymander the districts, their
old time majority will return under the
plan of voting by counties; while
the republicans say that since
the democrats will be forced to put u 0
their best men the political future will
be greatly improved. Both sides claim
that their parties will bs made stronger
by the decision. Here are q few inter-
views with leading men on both sides.
whose opinions are tersely statad:--
EX-Mayor Gilbert Collins said that 1t
will he q good thing. and the best men
will be nomina by both parties. So
far as any difference to the present rep
resentstlon is concerned. 1t will mainly
depend on wh3s class Of men the demo-
Gratis nominate. They must at the fall
nominate clean set Of men.
Justice O'Donnell says il will help the
Democratic party throughout the State.
st will compel both si les TO nominate
the best men. who will elevate the tone
and standing of the Legislature"
"We are entirely satisfied with the de-
cision, y said Allan l.. McDermOtt. I'VE
fought on the other side. but under the
am free to say. furthermore. tnat the de-
cision is an excellent thing for the State:
The election by counties at large will
force potn parties to nominate better men
on the average than have heretofore been
selected for the lower House.
"This is not likely TO have any effect on
the result of the recens election The
Legislature could be convened by the
Governor in special session and new
election ordered, because. under that
opinion, the last one was clearly Illegal:
but have no idea that Governor Werts
will 40 any such thing. l am satisfied to
have things remain just as they are.
Counsellor Geo. L. Record is also of
opinion that the voting by counties will
be teneflcial, since the democrats, in
fact both parties, will De compelled to
nominate clean set of men.
Ex-senator Jno. w. Griggs Of Pater-
son said, this morning. II think It right
for 1t prevents tha into one
locality OF a large preponderance of vot-
ers, whereby such men as Flynn. Harri-
gan and Thompson are elected. BY a re-
men could be elected"
E. F. G. Young says it will demoralize
10th parties. II will make great differ
ence 1.-THE balance of power.
Ex-Goveruor B edle saws he believes it
hard to tell the practical political result
OF the change. However, better men will
be returned to the Assembly The fail
electio ns will be conducted under the
old condition of voting by counties, un-
less the Court OF Errors aud Appeals re-
verse the decision, The Governor doubts
if the Democrats will ssek Co reverse il
"As a mere constitutional question / be-
lieve that the decision is right"
Otto Grouse says: -"The decision of the
Court seems to me 10 be sound. Under
the State Constitution OF 1874 the election
of Assemblymen is given TO the voters of
the county, with the right vested in the
LEGISLATURE to apportiou according TO the
United States census. From 1874 to 1852
members were elected on general
county ticket according TO 1.-THE constitu-
tional provision. The Constitution has
not been changed. but the Legislature
has seen fit. from 1851 to 1891, to cre-
ate and manipulate districts AT
will, and In 1881 and 1891
the district gerrymander was
brought to sucn splendid elimination
that the constitutional idea OF County
election WAS absolutely Ignored. This has
been the subjectof much legal discussion
in mauy States and ofiuo little thought In
New jersey. 1t is strange that now after
forty years we should ask the Court for
the first time TO be allowed 10 vote ac-
cordlng to the Constitution. Butiso 1t is.
1t will produce The best men the counties
can give us. 1t takes stronger, and
presumably better man to carry whole
county than a small district or a sure
horseshoe or pan handle section carved
to order