The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-05-24
TWO DOZEN YETOES
Governor Werts Makes
Meat of Republican "Re-
form Measures.
HOLLOW PRETENsIONS.
Every Measure Passed Incomplete,
Inaccurate and the Majority
Unconstitutional.
PRETENSIONS.
HOLLOW
spectol to the Jersey city Nsacs.


In his veto of the bill which takes away
one member of Assembly from Hunterdon
and gives him to Camden, the Governor
says ''the proposition is the most dangerous
partisan scheme ever attempted by any
political party in this State. 1t is also in
violation Of the Constitution, which pro-
vides that only one apportionment of As
semblymen shall be made every ten years,
and by the Legislature next succeeding each
Federal census. The bill itself comedies
that the present apportionment was made at
the proper time and it must, by force of the
constitutional provision, remain unaltered
until another census is taken, which viii not
be until the year 1900 or later. II the pres
ent Legislature can legislate as now pro-
posed, the next Legislature can do the same,
and a precedent will be established whereby
county representatives to the Assembly will
no longer be protected by constitutional
safeguards, but will be made dependent
upon the parties in need and pleasure Of
whatever party may happen temporarily to
be in control of the Legislative Houses"
vETOEs AFFECTING THE SCHOOL FUND.
In his veto of Senate 1873, which amends
the public instruction act, the Governor
says this bill provides that the trustees of the
School fund shall annually, on or before the
18th of November, appropriate out of the
annual income of the fund for the support of
public schools the sum of 100000, and if the
annual income of said fund shall be INSULT
cient for the purpose, then the said trustees
are authorized to draw for any sum necces-
sary to make up the deficiency upon the
State Treasurer, who is directed to pay the
same which sum shall be replaced from the
annual income of said fund as soon as re-
ceived. The effect of this will be to take an
nually from the State Treasury at least
f.7 M IN IL, 6
the school fund will never be able
to pay The provision for repave-
ment is deceptive, and had better be
omitted altogether. The financial condi-
tion of the State will not warrant the large
expenditure proposed If the appropriation
be insisted upon, some means of meeting it
should be devised am apprehensive that
State tax, from which for number of
years our citizens have been relieved.
The Governor objects to Senate 211, which
is supplement to the act which provides
additional free scholarships at the State
A Agricultural College. Il provides for the
lege not specified. The amount, however. is
S3o, ,912, exclusive of interest which may
perhaps be demanded Only 81 500 of that
sum was paid by the State, because the At
torney- General had advised that the pay
ments in question were unconstitutional,
consequently no payments have since
been made. The Governor quotes this
constitutional inhibition against any
appropriation of money for the
use of s'any society, association,
or corporation, whatsoever" also that pro
vision which provides against any encroaoh-
ment on the school fund. The Governor
SAYS he cannot see any Justice in the claim
OF the college, and believes the constitutional
prohibitions referred to as conclusive. He
suggests that an opinion of the Attorney
General be had for the guidance of the Legis-
lature ON the subject.
Assembly $50, providing that local govern
ing bodies may appropriate monies to asso-
Citations for the promotion of art and erec-
ton OF museums and monuments, ETC., IS
vetoed, the Governor holding this to be in
direct violation of the Constitution, which
provides that counties. cities, etc, shall not
give any money, etc., to any individual asso-
citation or corporation.
A BOARD OF WORKS BILL.
The Newark and Jersey City Board of
Works bill is among the rejected measures
Tho Governor says the bill is an apt illustra-
tion of the partisan persistency that just
now seems determined for partisan reasons
alone to obtain absolute possession and con-
troll of municipal offices in all municipalities
of the State wherever such control can by
any possible means be obtained Although
the members Of the present boards of Street
and Water Commissioners in cities of the
first class are in the midst of their official
terms, several schemes have been devised to
oust them them therefrom which have cul-
minated in the pending measure. The sole
object of this legislation is TO obtain control
of the Offices and the Incidental patronage
for partisan purposes, and the reward of
partisan camp followers. It is not proposed
that non partisanship in these boards shall
obtain to the slightest degree. The pro
posed legislation is so manifestly inspired by
partisan desires, regardless of all other con-
siderations, that the Governor declines to
assent thereto.
The repeal of the Assistant Prosecutors
law, except in first class counties, is objected
to. The Governor says this Office cannot be
deemed useless or extravagant, and he is not
aware that any complaint is made of the in
tegrity or competency of any person now
occupying such position. The administra-
ton of justice in counties where the Office ex-
lists is more expeditiously and economically
administered than it will be after it is abol-
ished. The sole reason for the abolition of
the office that the Governor can discover is
the desire to legislate out of office a few off
cials because and only because, they are not in
political accord with the legislative body.
Such action might be excused if the legisla-
tion was demanded by the public interest, or
tne officials sought TO be removed were in
competent or corrupt No such reason,
however is urged, and the mere fact that
they nOlQ certain pOliGlcal. opinions seems 10
me an insufficient and improper reason for
removal.
HOBOKEN POLICE BILL.
The Hoboken Police bill is objected to be-
cause the Governor says it is special legisla-
ton, and, therefore, unconstitutional The
title is misleading, and the Governor says it
would be better expressed if it read, IAN
act to subject the Police Department of the
city of Hoboken to pohticalc ntrol." The
bill will subject the department to that in
fuence in its most Objectionable FORM be-
cause the City Executive Committees of both
parties are to name the members of the
board. The Governor says he cannot ma
CINE scheme more inimical to public peace
and order. Their appointment would be de-
pendent upon dickers and trades, and their
continuance in office conditioned on how
they perform partisan work
The State House Custodian bill IS in the
batch of vetoes. The Governor reiterates
his objections to this bill. which he made to
former one of similar import which failed
to become law. He says the addition Of
the Governor to the Commission is delusive
and amounts to nothing The political bias
of the appointing power is not affected
thereby Every objectionable feature of
the former bill is retained and every parti-
san end can be attained under the present
measure The same reasons that caused the
defeat of the other attempt to dispossess the