The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-02-23
GAG In THE SENATE
Senator Days Attack on
Lobbyist Gaskill Cut
Off by the President. \
SHERIFF HELLER ATTACKED
Foster N. Voorhees, Introduces the
Long Threatened Jury
Commission Bill.
specfal tofhc Jerseu Cytu NeuA

TRENTON, Feb. 20, 1S97.-The Repub-
Lean Senate pe~rpetrated a gross outrage
upon the people at their session last
night and resorted to an outrageous use
of gas law, such as Democrats never at
tempted in those days when they held
power. The Republicans have often scor-
ed their political opponents for acts which
were not a circumstance to what they
themselves did last night. The outrage
was all the more fragrant because it was
committed to save from just censure one
of their apostles Of political uprightness
and virtue, Judge Joseph H. Gaskill, who,
it will be remembered, left his bench last
Wednesday and slipping off his ermine,
FASTENED to Trenton TO argue against the
Bicycle Baggage Bilr' in the interest of
the Pennsylvania Railroad. A Judge OPP
posing a bill of the people at the behest
of a railroad company At the opening
of the session MIR. DAILY offered his reso-
luton
Whereas, 1t has come to the attention
of the Senate, through the public press
and from other sources, that Joseph H.
Gaskiil, Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas of Burlington county, has assailed
and reflected upon the dignity Of the
State by appearing in the capacity of
counsel for the Camden n Amboy Sec
ton of the Pennsylvania system, before
the legislative committee on railroads and
canals of the House of Assembly; and
Whereas, Such conduct tends to de-
grade and bring into contempt the judi
ciary of this State. be it
Resolved, That the Senate Committee
en- Judiciary prepare and submit to this
Legislature for enactment a bill to pre-
vent a recurrence of such conduct"
Secretary Robinson began to read the
resolution and when he Qnf aS for aS
Joseph H. GaskilI, President Williams
brought his gavel down with a bang and
declared the resolution out of order, as 1t
in no way affected the business of the
Legislature.
Mr.. Daily wanted to know how he
President could tell it was out of order
until he had it read through, and he
appealed from the decision of the chair.
President Williams called Mr.. voorhees,
to the chair and taking the floor Said
Il respectfully submit that the resolution
is out of order"
Senator DAILY declared that the resolu-
ton ought to be read before it was de-
clared out of order. 1t did not reflect up-
on the Senate and was based on facts.
Mr. Herbert interrupted enator Daily to
say that there was nothing before the
Senate except an appeal from the decision
of the chair.
7 am at a loss to understand how this
resolution is cut Of order" persisted the
Senator from Hudson. Mr.. Voorhees, in
t~errupted Mr.. Daily and said that Mr..
Herbert's suggestion was a good one and
there was nothing before the House ex-
cept the appeal from the chairs ruling.
"Oh, you've got the power to squelch
this resolution" shouted Mr.. DAILY; but
it is exercising a power never before at
tempted in this Senate. 1t may be used
again. This is gag law. 1t is no indig-
nifty to me to nave this resolution defeat
ed, but it is a disgrace to the Senate
Mr.. Voorhees, put the question and the
President was sustained, Mr.. DAILY alone
voting to overrule his decision. Mr.. DAILY
attempted to speak again and got as
far as this is gag law when the Presi-
dent raped him to silence with his gayel.
The Hudson senator said that he had
received information to the effect that
Judge Gaskill had written to the Senators
asking them to sustain him In case any
attempt was made to censure him for his
action in appearing before the commit
tee or Wednesday.