The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-01-23
TWO SENATES
Democratic Senator's Repu-
diate the OVertures Of
the Republicans.
THE COURSE TO BE PURSUED
MI. Carroll Introduces the Erie
Track Elevation Bill in the
House-other Business
Transacted.
spccta1 to the Jersey City Ns.us.

TRENTON, Jan. 25. 1894.-All hopes of
compromise between the two warning
Senates were dashed to pieces last night, and
today the State is treated to the spectacle OF
three legislative bodies, one Assembly and a
Republican and a Democratic Senate. Tn
Republican Senate having eleven members is
passing bills and transacting business while
the Democrats having only ten can do moth
ing but adjourn from day to day for want of
a quorum. Both sides are firm and will not
yield. There has been some wild talk of
buying up one Republican Senator to join
with the Democrats to give them the desired
number of votes, and on the other side of
purchasing three Democrats to piece out the
Republican Senate to make it a const1tu-
tional body within the Attorney Generals
opinion. But when you come to ask who is
sufficiently interested in possible legislation
these purchases the stories explode and vanish
into thin air.
DEMOCRATIC SENATE MEETS.
The Democratic Senate was the first to get
to work last night. 1t opened at ten minutes
before eight o'clock with prayer by the Rev.
Father Phelan of the Cathedral. The roll
was called and responded to by the usual ten
Democrats, and then Senator Winton, who
was in the chair, ordered a recess for a half
hour. Then Senators VOORHEES,, Rogers n
Stokes, the Republican members of the COM
mittee appointed to effect a compromise,
came into the Senate Chamber, and, with
Senators Daily, Winton and Adrain, the
Democratic members, went into the Presl-
dents room and shut the door. Senator
Adrain then laid before the Republicans the
Democratic answer to their propositions for
a settlement.
THE DEMOCRATIC SENATOR'S ANSWER.
This is the answer
The State Senate of New Jersey having given
full consider alton to the proposition that Ger
tain gentlemen should be admitted 10 that body
on motion. and without further examination of
their rights than is embraced in an inspection of
their credentials, submit the following PROPOSE
tions:-
First. That no member of the State Senate
can lawfully agree to vote to admit an appli-
cant, Notwithstanding any protest presented
against his admission. 1t is in the opinion OF this
body the duty Of a Senator to vote against
the admission of anyone whom he deems not
entitled to a seat. The Senate cannot
and pass upon the elections. returns and
qua lifications of its members. To accede to the
proposition presented would bs to say that If
a citizen of Russia presented a certificate of
election, he must, without question, be admitted
| to membership.
Second. That it is the duty of the indicted
Senators of New Jersey TO meet aud proceed
with the business of the State; that there can
be but one State Senate, which is already or
ganjzed; that we should be happy to facilitate
any steps taken TO obtain adjudication upon tue
legality of our organization.
There is only one man in New Jersey,
everybody said. whose peculiar genius could
evolve such a n idea in this connection as
that of the Russian, and Bob Adrain re-
ceived all the credit of the answer. If DAILY
and Winton had any hand in framing the
reply ne one thought SO.
When the Republicans learned the con-
tents of the answer they saw there was no
use of further parleying and they withdrew
while the Democrats got together and adj
journed to this morning. The Republicans
| then sent this letter to Governor Werts:-
LETTER TO GOVERNOR WERTs
DEAR S1R-we have learned from commuuica-
tious made to US unoficially. that it is your de-
sire to have the contest existing betwesn the
two bodies presided over respectively by Sena-
tor Rogers and Senator Adrain terminated. We
are informed that you have suggested that this
may be accomplished by observing what the
! Attorney General, in his recent opinion given
TO you, declares to be the universal custom gov
erning the organization of legislative assem-
bles; that is, to recognize the right Of all the
newly elected Senators who hold certificates of
their election. regular in form, and from the
proper certifying authority to take their seats
in the body to which they were chosen and thus
commissioned and to participate in its organ
ization and proceedings, and that II the Sena,
tors constituting the body presided
4hs with their credentials at the
chamber in which the body presided over by
Senator Adrain holds its sessions, they will be at
once allowed to take their seats, with all the
rights of members of the Senate of this State.
We have carefully considered the suggestions
thus to us and believe it to be our
duty, in the interest. OF good government, to
waive all questions of mere formality in the
matter Of organization and proceed to discharge
the duties imposed upon US by the Constitution.
We are willing. therefore, on receiving satisfac'
tory assurances from you and from the body
presided over by Senator Adrain, that the usual
customs will in this case be- observed
| With a view, as we understand 1t, OF
secu ing. the result you seem to desire
a committee from the body, presided over by
Senator Adrain, met with q similar body APP
pointed by us. Our proposition made to that
committee is herein enclosed for your informa-
ton. It was our purpose therein to express
our willingness to accept as a basis for the set
Element of the present unfortunate coHtro-
versy. the suggestions made by you, as above
| stated. We desire to know whether our in
formation as to the position thus assumed by
you, as the chief executive officer of the State,
is correct, and whether we may rely upon your
cooperation in effecting q settlement upon that
basis.
Signed by all the Republican Senators.
Governor Werts stated that he would send
his reply to the above to the Republican
Senators today.
REPUBLICAN SENATORS E
The Republicans held a meeting in the
Assembly Chamber. The galleries and the
floor were crowded, and when President
Rogers took the chair he was greeted with
applause and cheers. Senators Bradley,
Stokes and VOORHEES, also came in for a good
share of the popular appreciation. Mr..
Rogers announced his joint committees as
follows:-
Treasurer's Accounts-Hoffmau, Thompson
and Winton.
state Prison-Thompson, Hoffman and Per-
kias.
Lunatic ADMINISTRATORS. Ward and Smith.
State L~ibrary-Skirm, Bradley and Adrain.
Public Grounds and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
Skirm and Packer.
~Printing-Stokes, Ketcham and Martin.
Observation-Disclosures, Voorhees, and Daily.
Commerce and Observation-Disclosures. Thomp-
son and Stokes.
Federal Enthusiastically. Ward and Drake.
Soldiers Horne-Ward, Stokes and Hinch-
life.
Reform School for Boys-Smith, Packer and
Sinking Fund-Ketcham, Voorhees, and Nc
Mickle.
Industrial School for Giris-Hoffman, Bradley
School for Deaf Mutes-Skirm. Stokes and
Hinchliffe.
The regular order of business was hurried
through until unfinished business was reach
ed when Mr.. Ketcham arose and sald:-
SPEECH.
SIT strikes me very forcibly that there is
a vast amount of unfinished business to be
transacted. It is high time that we who are
chosen by the people to represent them should
assert ourselves and stand upon our
rights. ! do not wish to make a threat, and
I do not mean to imply a threat, but some
thing must be done, and done quickly.
[Great applause.]
'.In view of the present disordered con-
ditien of affairs and the apparently vain at