New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-06
but the party must be honest or take the conse-

but the party must be honest take the conse-
quences.
OF course the Democratic Senators and AS
semblymen will insist upon putting the Repub-
licans on record on most of those questions Sen
ator Kuh has announced that he will introduce
in the first days of the session bills abolshlng
the fee system in the Supreme Court and Chah-
Gerry Clerks offices and putting the clerks on
salaries Those who vote against such measures
will have some inconvenient questions to answer
when their constituents get the opportunity.
II would be an idle hope to look forward 10
n session of the New-Jersey Legislature minus
strike bills Don't know what a strike bill
is? Dear dear what an innocent you must
be. The measures so described have for their
object the Matchmaking of corporations.
Adopts in this line of business usually pick out
one or more causes Of discomfort with corpora
tons. and have bills drawn, ostensibly to meet
a popular d, mand. The bills are generally
pushed until an agent Of the companies IN
terested secs the introducer. and then DIS
energy is suddenly turned against something
else.
Suprose for instance. that there are com
plants about rhe high prices and poor quahF
of electric lights The member from NynocKle
introduces a bill requiring companies TO charee
not more than 10 cents night for each arc
lamp and specifying the Illuminating power
of each Perhaps company couId comply
with the terms # the measure. but in any cdse
II would be expensive to do so. The companies
interested are then brought face to face with
this problem:
shall we buy off this fellow or nght 'he
thing TO the bitter end matter of prin-
cple?"
TT they decide TO fight, expensive counsel ana
lobbyists must be engaged. In case there is
enough in the matter to arouse general atteh-
ton every vulture around the Capitol VIII De
attracted. Those who come to Trenton Win
the notion that it is good place for oppor
tunt,es TO get rich rapidly keep their ears ana
eyes OPEN and they are bound to get some
thing They are willing to vote against the
measure if the companies concerned make II
worth their while. but in case nothing Is Ior'h-
coming they join the original marauder ana
keen boosting the measure. No matter now the
end is accomplished. 1t costs heap OF money 10
Kill proposed legislation of this KIND.
There are some ancient strikes that nave
kent bobbing up every session for twenty years
and some Of them are so notorious as 10 ordh"
the introducer member OF the prlSahcs
hand the moment they are put upon the caleh-
6ar one session. some years ago. was holeu
for a food of strikes" numbering In all nearly
a hundred Foster NJ. Voorhees,. now senator
was the Republican leader in the House 'h"'
wear. and he and Frederick Marsh. the Demo-
cratic leader, made open and uncompromislis
war on the gang
III, Dor,ocratic machine that received its
final ouietus at the polls last November sue
sssfr ri
fife basis lust about the time that the people
turned II adrift When campaign time came on
oil the wealthy corporations holding state char-
tcrs or franchises were invited to contribute
heavily The invitation was frequently accom-
ranied by an assurance that liberaiity "ou'u
he rewarded in the shape OF protection from
impecunious legislators. If the cash did not
come up 10 expectations strike bills MADE thelr
snnearance as a matter Of course, ana, IN sue"
cases. the corporations affected had 10 h'"Ne
their terms with the powers behind the throne
During the last few years OF the "old gang
no1ver there was much grumbl.ng and GroWl-
ing among lawmakers who saw their creams
of riches fade away. one by one
",Ta,nt right" said one indignant Scion, IN
freeing his mind. Here the big fellows take All
the plums and good things and we get nothing
What did we hustle around for day and night
and spand our good money? Kick? So dd'
but what's the use? If you don't do as thcy
say you're turned down and pushed out Oh
politics I say again. faint right to Keep a
poor fellow from making dollar when ~
got the chance The worst Of it Is that my peo-
pie think I'm scooping in barrels OF gold very
week"
II got TO be so that legislation was openly
,o,ob+ end sold Corpora lions desiring a bill
passed had TO go to certain persons ana oar
gain for II the same as they would for a piece
Of real estate During several sessions at least
one agent of the "old gang was constantly
nresent in either house. and he made no attempt
10 conceal the fact that he was there for the
nurnose of passing or defeating bills. according
TO the financial Inducements held out
The promoters Of the Subway Commission OIL
brazenly acknowledged that their purpose was
10 get a grip on the telephone, telegraph ana
electric lighting companies, so that they wouiu
have to open their purses or suffer disagree
able consequences
Now that the power Of the old bosses has
heen broken. me individual strikers VIII nave
better opportunities. and those so inclined may
be counted upon not to lose trick There -
however a danger in the case OF new mem
rers who are strictly honorable, but who make
mistakes which lay them open to suspicion
Most ambitious young legislators begin opera
,,ors nv introducing A lot Of bills calculated 10
cure ALL the Ills Of the State. and Of every mu
nicinality therein By-and-by, when obstacles
crop I'D on every side the pet schemes are aban-
IL. Il NJ hnr