The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-12-11

now, is adhered to, the n hundren
and twentieth Legislature W4ii excel al
its predecessors in that direction.
"The people want good governmen
and We propose to give It TO them,
the question of probable legislation is
preached.
1t IS said that one of the first innoya-
branches. This. it is admitted, cannot
very we'll be done in time TO be opera
it is said it wiz become a law before the
session closes. Numerous reasons nof
the change are advanced, an OF
them centre around the plea OF economy
The present system is declared TO zoe
antiquated. and has. long, since been dls-
carded by New, York and otner progteS,
siye States, and Supplanted by a system
less expensive and regarded as raf SUI
perior.
which cut expense in all department.
down to the lowest notch. $500 1or sal
aries alone in the Engrcssing, Depart
ment lis is allowed How, tS and t amo e9at OF IS 9ta ssl0Se.
Friends of the new scheme urge inaL II
is money wasted. and worse still, II PRO,
not exist. In both Houses Assembly
men and Senators vote Gu the engrossed
copy of the bill. which they never see
copies only, and in that manner. it is
argued, innumerable errors that might
not occur otherwise creep into the laws
lIQODS6rNeQ, anu So T6lIldlll III - oNN
is set aside by the Court. To remedy
this it is proposed to adopt the New
York plan. under which all members
vote on the printed bill. and a copy OF
that, duly attested by the presiding oftl-
Ger, passes as the engrossed Dill does
now. 49,
at the opening of each session an officer
TO be known as Counsel to the Leglsla-
ture. shall be appointed.
lawyer, thoroughly familiar with CON
stitutienal law. and it shall be ms duty
to carefully. examine n pass upon az
bills Immediately after ln~trodlclion anu
before final passage.
He will be expected to remain in con-
slant attendance point out errors s. , sgg1
record and codifying all measures, pre-
vent the piling up of laws on the statute
books, many of which are ambiguous;
and fifty per cent. of which do not Stand
a constitutional test in the courts.
While this will mean the creation of a
new Office, it is argued that a thoroughly
competent man can readily be optalned
ary of S4,O00. and that will be $1,000 less
than the amount expended on the En-
crossing Department now.
The chief advantage OF the new plan
will, it is said, be found in the relief
afforded the courts, as at present Two
thirds of the time of he Supreme Court
and Court of Errors is taken up with
Contests testing the validity of legislative
enactments.
Another contemplated change viii be an
attempt to devise a general plan OF mu-
nieipal legislation that will be applicable
to cities, towns, b~oroughs, etc.. without
resource to the present method OF "classi-
fcation.' This is regarded as a fayor1te
plan of the Governor-elect, and if, by
the resignation of Attorney General
Stockton, Mr.. Griggs can have an Attor-
ney General of his own selection early
in the session, a law covering that SUB
ject will, it is reported, lind its way
RI the statute books long before final
adjournment. l.,
Another measure already prepared and
said to be meeting with hearty Indorse-
ment is one compelling the Supreme
Court to hear argument on certiorari
cases. At present the Judges cut of
lawyers with ten or fifteen minutes. It
ment of the case. In Chancery time is
always given. The bill has been pre-
pared by and has the Endorsement of
he Bar Association.
The members here are very reticent as
to what action will be taken in regard
to reducing the compensation of the
Clerk in Chancery, Clerk of the supreme
Court, and other high-prieed officials.
of a further investigation of State or
municipal affairs
Workmen are busy decorating the pri-
vate room of the Governor. The ceiling
of this room was never really finished. 1t
was simply kalsomined, but now it will
have a. gorgeous design of scrolls, fill
gree work, spread eagles and other
things in-keeping with the general gaudy
concert garden style Of decoration in
which the Republican regime has dressed
the State House. The corridor leading to
the Assembly Chamber is also in the
hands of the decorator and will also
be gorgeously arrayed when completed.
This will be made interesting from the
fact that the original seals of New Jer-
sey, used by Governors Carteret and
Berkeley, have been discovered and fac
SMILES of them will adorn the walls.