The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-02-23
BI-MONIHLY WAGES
The Assembly Passes the
Bullock Bill After a
Heated Discussion.
ROBERTSON TAKES ANOTHER FLOP
The Advocate Of the Gas Corpora
tion in the Morning Pleads
for the Working Men in
the Afternoon.
TAKES ANOTHER FLOP
specfal to the Jerseu City Ne,rs.


in 1.-THE Jersey City News on Thurss
day, the Assemblymen went out to dine.
and it was noticed that many of tho4s
who had supported the majority of the
committees report which did the bills
to death washed down the substantials
with a liquid literally charged with that
which had caused the hard battle of the
morning.
The Republicans who are trying to
squirm out of the predicament into which
the impudent reputation of their pafty's 9
platform in Hudson has thrown them
do not deny that they promised the pep
pie cheap gas, but say that cheap gas
does not mean dollar gas.
LET some one introduce a bill fixing
the price Of gas at a sum which Will
pay the companies fair profit said
one OF the leading opponents to the
Gruber bills, ''and see what we will do
with them.''
Kill it as you did Gruber's bill,' re-
piled a by-stander.
1t is hardly probable that another bill
will be put in, as the debate and vote
clearly show that the companies have
enough votes to do just what they please
with any measure which comes before
the House.
BI-MONTHLY WAGES
The first measure of importance calico
up was Mr.. Bullock's bill requiring cor
porations to pay the wages of their eIn-
ployes seni-nonthly.
Mr.. Bullock explained that in the city
of Paterson, and in every other part Of
the State, the working people suffered
many hardships through being forced to
wait from month to month for the wages
due them. 1t was absolutely necessary
that they should have cash wherewith
to- purchase necessaries of life, as store
keepers in many cases would not, and
perhaps could not, extend credit. He
also showed that his measure would put
stop TO the practice of certain corpora
tons compelling employees to accept in
lieu of cash goods furnished by the
companies own stores.
The next to take the floor was Mr.
Robertson, who but an hour before hac
championed the corporations as against
the peoples interests on the cheap gas
question, and whose blood is always
stirred to resentment when any word
antagonistic to the Erie Railroad Com
pany is uttered. Robertson advocated
the passage of Bullocls bill in vigorous
style. Corporations could keep the money
that really belonged to their employees
in bank, drawing interest while the
workingmen and their families suffered
because of their inability to purchase
food and clothing. He answered Mr..
Barnard of Camden rather pointedly
when the latter interrupted with ques-
tions as to how the bill would operate
in general. Mr.. Lower followed Mr..
Robertson in support of the measure,
and then was raised the question whether
or not the keeper of the company's store
did not frequently take advantage of
the ignorant classes by overcharging
them.
well, you can judge for yourself, >,
spoke up Mr.. Robertson, and then he
related a story told of a Government
agent on an Indian agency.
went on Robertson. your bill is as
/" For one pair of overalls bought So,
for for one pair you didn't buy 50, for one
It may not be quite so bad in this State,
but similar game might be worked .
In leng speech Mr.. Austin told how
workingmen were forced to accept hams
AAu 0s RuRAI steifs pocroRs 4 llfa 4 Fee. SEsh
Mr. Wilbur, Of Mercer. opposed the
morous manner he explained that doc
tors in rural communities were often
paid for their professional services in
pigs, corn and potatoes, instead Of
money.
'Then you should be with this BILL"
retorted Austin. If the people were paid
In cash for their work they could pay
may not go through the Senate. how
ever. but if it does pass Governor Werts,
ia Cnfd will 1fe
language is as follows: That every
manufacturing, mining or quarrying and
citation and establishment In this State
employing persons In the business Of
manufacturing, mining or quarrying
lawful money of the United States. each h
and every ernploys engaged in It's busf-
ness, or their representatives, the full
1i0 up 70 the he day. day Of such % payment p'qses pro.
vided, however. that If at any time of
payment any employe shall be absent
shall not receive his wages through a
duly authorized representative he shall
be entitled to said payment at any time
thereafter upon demand.
THAT no assignment of future wages
payable every two weeks, under the pro-
visions OF this act, shall be valid If made
to the employer or employers from whom
person on behalf of such employer or
employers, or If made or procured to be
made to any person for the purpose of re-
lieving such employer or employers from
the obligation to pay weekly under the
provisions of this act.
"That it shall not be legal for any
such company or establishment, or the
agent of any such company or establish
ment. to enter into or make any agree
mensywith any employe for the payment
of the wages of any such employe other
wise than as provided in section one of
this act, except it be to pay such wages
weeks, and that every agreement made
in violation of this act be and the same
is hereby declared to be null and void
and provided, that each and every one
of such employees with whom any agree
ment. in violation of this act, shall be
establishment or. agent, shall have his
or her action and right of action against
any such partnership, association com
pany or establishment for double wages
in any court Of competent Jurisdiction In
this State.
may violate any Of the. provisions of this
act shall be guilty Of a missemeanor,
and shall be punished by fine not ex-
ceeding two hundred dollars and not
less than fifty dollars for each violation,
to be paid to the people of the State, or
Imprisonment not exceeding six months,
or both, at the discretion Of the Court
tion is commenced within thirty days
from the date thereof.
THAT the Factory Inspector OF this
State and his deputies may bring an ac-
ton against any employer or employers
who neglect to comply with the provi-