New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-13
on JERSEY MATTERS.

The Republicans Of Essex County are fortunate
in having as their candidate for Speaker of
the Assembly man Of such higr character and
personal accomplishments as Alfred F. Skinner.
Assembyman Samuel Bullock has been elected
as the special champion Of the worlkingmen. IN
that capacity he will be prominent during the
legislative session. If he will act with wisdom
and conservatism and avoid the demagogues
ne can make something of reputation
Those Newark Republicans who expect the
Democrats to nominate for Mayor next spring
one of the old party hacks may be caught nap
ping 1t would be no wak-over II the Demo-
cratic leaders could induce a man like William
4. IRE to take the nomination.
And still another liquor decision from the
Supreme Court, AS published in yesterdays
Tribune Justice Llppincott has declared uncon-
stitutional the act of 1892 giving the County
Court equal jurisdiction with borough and town
authorities in the granting OF licenses. This act
was drawn especially to meet the case of the
town of Washington but IL is a mistake to say
TINT il applies nowhere else. AS a matter OF
fact some five or six boroughs are concerned.
Washington is a prohibition town, and the only
way to get liquor licenses was through the Coun-
~ Courts Ex-Concressman Cornish, the Sena-
TOR from Warren County, had law passed en-
towering the Common Pleas Judge to grant
licenses and under that several bars were
opened The opponents OF the act appealed to
the supreme Court and Justice Lppincotts de-
csion is the result.
The whole tendency of all the recent decisions
Of the Court has been to cblierate all special
nrohibitive enactments and safeguards and to
leave the whole question Of liquor licenses with
the people Of the various boroughs, towns and
cities.
one outcome Of this will be the raising Of a
question vet remaining undetermined:
Has the licensing authority power to refuse to
grant licenses absolutely?
That point has never been brought before the
Supreme Court The nearest approach to 1t was
in the stafford case. decided last week. when the
Court held that a license fee of $4,000 was pro-
hibitory-as 1t was intended to be-and was un-
constitutional.
If the local authorities cannot shut out hotels or
saloons in one way. can they do it in another?
The excise boards and license committees now
I'm existence throughout the State claim the right
TO grant or reject licenses they fit, but the
matter has never been contested The court
decisions referred to Will have the effect, however
Of forcing an issue. There will be no trouble in
places like Newark. Jersey City or Paterson,
where the licensing authorities are friendly to the
brewers and saloonkeepers, but in places like
Milvlle. Washington and other boroughs and
towns where the temperance sentiment is strong
different situation has to be met. When the
local al thorties refuse to grant licenses the APP
plcanis will probably ask the Supreme Court to
issue a compulsory mandamus
What do the legal readers Of The Tribune think
Of the problem?
II may be predicted with perfect safety that
book Of less than one hundred pages will hold all
the laws Of 1896 This is a friendly hint to the
youthful legislators, who are even now having
their pockets stuffed full OF embryo laws with
which they expect to win the attention of the
state and the admiration Of their constituents
New-Jersey has too many laws now. Half OF
those on the statute books could be eliminated
with advantage to the average citizen. No new
ones should be put unless d real need exists
outside Of the Office Of some particular lawyer or
CORPORATION. Governor-elect Griggs holds this
view. and il will save him a lot Of hard work If
persons intending present bills not arising from
a general public demand would keep them at
home