The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-01-23
A JOINT SESSION.
Held Today Despite the
Protests of Democratic
Assemb1ymen.
ADJOURNMENT TO FEBRUARY e..
On That Date a State Comptroller
and State Treasurer Will Be
Elected.
Governor Werts Visited by Proml-
nent Essex County Repub-
licans.
THEIR DEMAND AND HIS ANSWER
Special to the Jersev City Neics.

Special to the jersey City Nens.
TRENTON, JAM 90, 1S94.-The House was
called to order at 11:50, and a RECESS was inn
mediately taken until noon to wait the joint
meeting.
The Republican Senators were notified,
and soon filed into the Assembly Chamber.
President Rogers was chosen to preside at
the joint meeting.
Secretary Mott was chosen secretary and
Clerk Potts, assistant.
Assemblymen Harrigsn and Byrne were
the only democrats present.
Harrigan voted i'll the negative on the
question.
Harrigan and Byrne answered roll call.
After absentees had been called, Harrigan
introduced the following resolution.
Whereas, There has not been adopted by the
Senate and Genera; assembly of the State OF
New Jersey any resolution for a joint meeting
of those bodies to choose or select any OF me
officers to be chosen or elected in joint session;
and
Whereas, this meeting in so far as it preteuds
to be a joint meeting OF the Houses OF the
Legislature OF New Jersey Is illegal and any
action taken by ig is wholly void; IL Is hereby
Resolved. that this meeting is not held IN
pursuance OF any joint resolution adopted by
the Senate and House OF Assembly OF New Jer-
t6ls ludL uS CktJu III thAD - 80 ~
much as 1t pretends to be the action OF a joint
meeting Of the Houses of the Legislauure
is wholly void; that the Senate OF New Jersey
is not present at this meeting. and that there
are present and participating IN this meeting
persons who are not members OF the Leglsia-
lure of New Jersey; that the fact OF this meet
ing was 10 be held has never been communi
cated to the State Senate.
The resolution was ruled out of order, as
being contrary to facts.
The protest was signed by Harrigan,
Flynn and Byrne of Newark. Colonel
Price, counsel for the Newark Street and
Water Board. stood behind Harrigan and
prompted him. Harrigan tried to speak,
but Mr.. Rogers declared him out of order,
and then the joint meeting adjourned to
February 6, when a State Treasurer and
Comptroller will be elected.
APPEAL TIC
While this was going on in joint session a
delegation of citizens from Newark, headed
by Courtland Parker, filed into Governor
Werts' room. They were the committee APP
pointed by the public meeting held last week.
The Governor received them courteously,
andiasked them what they desired.
PARKER'S R
CORTLAND Parker said as the representa-
tive of a meeting of the citizens of Essex
county, assembled because of the blocking
of the wheels of government through the
dispute as to the existence of the Senate, /
present to you their resolutions. They
express the conviction of those citizens
that the Senate exists, and in
organized form through the ~assemblage of a
majority of those who by law constituted it
and their administering to each other the
official oath required by the constitution, as
by that instrument they were ex-
pressly empowered. They hold that
organization to have been completed for
ordinary and efficient action through the
election by the votes of this majority of a
President and other officers. They insist
that the Constitution is above custom and
theory, and that the minority of those hav-
ing certificates of election cannot be the SEN
ate of New Jersey. Holding these views they
state them with earnestness and decision
and ask your Excellency to break the dead
lock now existing by recognizing the Senate
which represents the votes Of the
people, as the people at the
last election decided, and by
exerting your influence to evidence
the minority of that hody now
claiming to be the upper House to take their
seats with the majority, whereby at once the
state of things SO disgraceful to the honor of
the State and SO prejudical to its interests
will be ended.
wERTS' REPLY.
The Governor said that he did not care to
speak on the spur of the moment. He asked
n.the gentlemen wanted him to recognize
the Republican Senate in opposition to the
Attorney-General's opinion.
Eyes" said Mr.. Parker, 'you as a lawyer
and an ex-judge should know the opinion is
in fault in substance, and substance is every
thing and form nothing"
The Governor then asked of Mr.. Parker if
he insisted that credentials should be dis
pensed with.
Mr. Parker replied that he considered that
the Republicans had the right to pass upon
the credentials of each other.
Then / differ with you, " said the Gov
ernor and as he declined to discuss the sub
ject further the delegation withdrew.