The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-01-09
POTTS INNOVATION.
His Idea Lends Dignity to
the Organization of the
Legislature.
FLOWERS, CROWDS AND CHEERS
Gruber signalizes His Debut by
Kicking Over the Party Traces
Officers of the House.
FLOWERS, CROWDS AND CHEERS
Special to the Jersey City Ne,rs.

est inhabitant who has seen Legislatures
come and go for the past quarter of a
century, found something novel and
interesting in the organization of the
one hundred and nineteenth session yes
.terday afternoon. There were the same
crowded galleries, the same packed lob
bies and aisles, which made it a difficult
task for the members to reach theiI
desks, but there never was such a floral
display. The Hudson and Essex men
were particularly fortunate in this re-
spect, and Pierce Fleming overtopped
them all with huge horseshoe at least
four feet high. Mr.. Parslow's desk look
ed like Broadway florists shop window,
and he received so many fragrant re-
membranes from his friends that his
desk was not large enough to hold them
ALL
His piece de resistance was a huge
horseshoe donated by his fellow under
takers, VINO are building high their hopes
upon Mr.. Parslow's ability to secure a
law for State Undertakers' Board.
Every other Hudson man had more or
less flowers about him.
Judge Potts, as Clerk of the last House,
raped for order shortly after three
o'clock, and went through the Constitu-
tienal formula about the time having
arrived he called the one hundred and
nineteenth Legislature, ETC., etc. Then he
called the roll and all the sixty members
answered. Mr.. Storrs then made his
debut as leader. with resolutions provid-
ing for the swearing in of Mr.. Matlack
of Burlington by Mr.. Zabriskie of Bergen,
who in turn was to swear in the new
members.
POTTS INNOVATION.
Then came the innovation, which was
an original idea of his own, and in the
success of which he takes much salts
faction. In former years the members
were called about the Speakers desk and
sworn in in relays. Mr.. Potts had the
Assemblymen stand at their desks and
with uplifted hands repeat in unison the
oath, after Mr.. Matlack. The innova-
ton was success and much more digni-
fed and impressive than the old scramble
to kiss the book.
Judge Cross was then elected Speaker
over James Usher of Hudson, and Messrs.
Usher, Olcott of Essex, and Wildes of
Burlington escorted him TO the chair.
-sue. had taken the oath he thanked
" - !. 1s,E liIe honor conferred Upon
him and made the usual promises to
treat the minority with justice and fair
ness, which every Speaker makes and
breaks at the first opportunity. He beg
ged the members TO forget for the time
that they were partisans and always
remember that they had taken the oath
of fidelity to New Jersey and not to
party.
THE NEW OFFICERS
These officers were them elected
James Parker, of Passaic, Clerk;
Assistant Clerk, William F. Cyphers of
Essex; Journal Clerk, John L. Swayze of
Sussex; Assistant Journal Clerk Joshua
Matlack of Burlington; Engressing Clerk,
Edgar Williams of Essex; First Assistant
Engrossing Clerk, w. Irving Norton of
Mercer; Second Assistant Engrossing
Clerk, r. Starr Keeler of Camden; Docu-
ment Clerk, James P. Logan of Middle
sex; Sergeant-at-Arms, Lysander E.
Watson of Monmouth; Assistant Ser
geant-at-Arms, Daniel H. Hunt of Es-
sex, and Edward Hance of Morris; Bill
Clerk, Thomas NJ. Bellknap of Union !;
Assistant Bill Clerks, Charles e. Bellows
of Cumberland and G. Frank Sutherland
of Hudson; Doorkeepers, Albert Ottinger
Cumberland; J. Clark Oliver, Morris;
John Lloyd. Monmouth; John Rowland
Mercer; Isaac Jacobs. Hudson; David
Miller. Hudsond Abel J. Berry, Ocean,
George Stanton,t tSalem; VIM. H. Duferee,
Warren; Jacob Reiddinger, Warren
John Cherry, Camden; Joseph Kellner.
Essex; George J. Force, Essex; Anthony
Bratsch, Essex; VIM. B. Tompkins, Es-
Esex; Clarence H. Leland, Union; John
Nxylr
sIdc. and John Hunter. Passaic. Post
master, ex-Assemblyman John Kerr of
Hudson.
The Democratic nominees were:-Clerk
Q. L. Blackwell of Hunterdon: Assist
ant ant Clerk Clerk. Owen Nolan, Hudson; Jour
Assistant Journal Clerk, Seldom R. Pro-
basco, Burlington; Engrossing Clerk
Newkirl1 N. Wentz. Camden; Assistant
son, and Walter Dewsnap, Bergen; Docu-
ment Clerk, Wnl. ]. Denton, Hudson;
ssrgeant-at-Arms, Daniel J.. Tierney,
John Fes a Assistan1 Middesa vat
rigan, Essex; Bill Clerk. Edward ].
Symes:. Assistant Bill Clerks. L. Mil
ton Wilson Of Warren. and Fred schu-
chardt, Atlantic; Doorleepers, Henry
Morr.ngton, VIM. A. Hillhard. VIM. F.
Hankins and VIM. Diver.
GRUBER KICKS OVER THE TRACES
Leader Storrs offered a resolution pro-
vidirg that the rules of the last House
should govern this. Mr. Usher offered
an amendment that all standing com
nittees should report all bills submitted
to them within ten days. Mr. Storrs op-
posed the amendment, claiming, that it
would be impossible for committees to
report in that time, as It took a longer
period to consider many measures.
especially those upon which hearings
were given. Mr. Usher replied by point
Ing out the many good measures which
were killed last year by being smothered
in committees
When a vote was taken on the amend
ment, much to, eyeryone's SURPRISE Mr.
Gruber voted with the Democrats in d
strong voice, which could not be mis-
taken. The amendment was killed, of
course The commtttee potters' field viii
be altogether too convenient this win
That inteFmnable nuisance, Col
onef' Murre1. the colorec. politician, has
been in Trenton the past two days try
ing TO get a pagesnip for his boy, a
very bright and genteel looking lad, but
failed That or some other circum-
stance has shaken the ColonePs faith in
the Republican party, and he raised a
scene in the Assembly Chamber. When
M. Gruber's cheap gas bill came in the
front aisle, cried out:--"Good; that's the
stul,. If you don't pass those kind of
bills, by gawd, the people
What the .Colonef'9 had to say fur
ther was confided to an assistant ser
geant-at-arms, who insistesf upon his
getting out of the aisle.
ANTI-GAMBLING AMENDMENT.
The House fixed January 10 as g. day
tor going into the commttee Of the