The Monitor-register., 1896-08-21
AMENDING NEW JERSEYS CON-
STITUTION.

In the heated discussion of the fna,
cial question there is possibility of
losing sight of all other matters that
enter into the campaign in this State this
fall. While the sound money issue is nm.
doubtedly paramount, yet as a matter of
local Importance the amendments TO tho
State Constitution, which, if adopted
will make some radical changes in the
judicial and legislative departments of
the State, should not be forgotten.
The last Legislature passed these
amendments, but they will be REQUIRED to
be passed upon by another Legislature
and then be submitted to the people at
special election. 1t is important that the
people should have clear idea of tho
changes proposed in the fundamental Ia
in voting for legislative candidates this
fall.
Tne most important amendment. relat.
ing to the Judiciary, abolishes the
Chancery Court, and vests the iudieial
power of the State in a Supreme Court of
not less than fifteen Judges. 1t is pro.
vided that the present Justices, Chan.
cellors and Vice. Chancellors shall beoome
Judges of the newly. created Supreme
Court until their terms expire; and the
court is to have all the powers of the
Supreme Conrt, the Court of Errors. the
Chancery Court and the Prerogative
Court, which powers are to be exercised
in three divisions-Law, Equity and
Appellate. Circuit Courts are to be held
in every county by one or more of the
Judges, and these courts NAV have
chancery powers, subject to appeal.
An important change is proposed with
regard to the Legislature. This amend.
ment provides for biennial Legislature.
This amendment provides for biennial
sessions after next year, semblymen
being elected in 1898 for two years
instead of one. 1t is proposed to extend
the terms of the Senators elected this
year four years, and the Senators elected
in 1897 will be divided by lot into two
classes, one to serve three years and the
other five. The Senators elected in 1898
and all Senators elected thereafter to serve
terms of Jour years each. By this plan
one half the Senate will be elected every
two years, at the same time as members
of the Assembly.
Another amendment proposes to ex-
tend the term of Governor to four years
and to hold him ineligible for re election.
a clause is inserted denying him the
right to make any appointment or nomi-
nation during the last week of hin term.
The Governor will have the power to call
the Legislature into special session at
any time the public interests may demand
it; but the power to appoint ad interim
during recess is taken away from him,
this being wise provision, prompted by
the abuse of the power in the past by
Democratic Governors. Under this
amendment Governor Griggs would
remain in Office until the third Tuesday
of January, 1899. The other amepd.
ments include proposition giving women
the right to vote for public school officers,
and another forbidding lotteries. pool
selling, book making or gambling of any
kind in the State.
All of the amendments have been care
fully considered, and on the whole they
are vastly superior to the amendments
recommended by the Legislature of 1895.
1t is considered probable that they will
be adopted as they stand by the Legisla-
ture which meets next winter. But they
should be considered we'll by the people
first.