The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-05-15
SOLOnS PERPLEXED
Don't Know Whether They
Can Pass Any Bills at
the Extra Sessions.
BOSSES LIKELY TO INTERFERE
Blundering Republicans Want TO
Blunder More But SeWell
Won't Have 1t.

Especial to 1.-THE Jersey City News."1
TRENTON, May Is, 1S97.-Just now the
Legislators are cogitating. They do not
know whether it will be possible to get
any bills through or not when the extra
ordinary session convenes on May 25.
Governor Griggs has called the session
for the special purpose of rectifying a
blunder. This blunder was the passage of
, the -anti-gambling amendment with the
word provided inserted where the word
| prohibited" should have been. 1t was
one of the many blunders committed by
the Republican Legislature during the
d~iscreditable haste and hurry of the last
few days of the recent session; days into
which all of the work had been crowded,
after it had been wantonly delayed for
a dozen weeks. 1t shows beyond all
doubt that the legislators were extremely
incompetent as well as careless. The
faulty copy was read to both Houses and
went through unnoticed.
1t is now a question as to whether the
Legislature will not do something that is
not set down in the -Gubernatorial pro-
gramme. There are many members of
the Legislature who would like to use the
opportunity of a special session to resur-
rect bills which failed at some stage of
their progress, and some who would like
to introduce a few new bills.
The question is, VIII the members
merely correct the error pointed out by
Governor Griggs in his proclamation and
then go home. or will they attempt to
correct other plumbers, do that which they
left undone. or undo that which they
ought not to have done?
The bill allowing mayors to appoint
members of boards of education was rem
dered void by a blunder. The teachers
retirement fund bill was rendered void
by a blunder The new libel law was rem
dered void by a blunder Will they cor
rect these or let them rest until next
year?
The Jersey City office extension bill.
better known as the anti-spring election
bill. may come up for correction. very
great correction. indeed. The police
pension bill may ask for reconsideration;
the new game laws. failing of enactment
at the regular session. may be resurrect-
ed in the interests of birds and humanity
generally.
But despite the anxiety of the members
TO make q few additions to the laws of
New Jersey, it is quite probable "a the
cent session amply disclosed the fact that
whatever personal ambitions a majority
OF the members had, they were willing to
choke them if Senator Sewell SO COM
manded. 1t is very probable that Senator
Sewell will tell the legislators just how far
they must go. Mr.. Sewell would hardly
offer an insult to Governor Griggs by per-
hitting the legislators to do anything
other than what the session was called
for. 1t woul be very discourteous to
his Excelleney to have the Legislature do
anything more than make the correction
for which he called it together. Mr..
Griggs has been very willing to allow
Mr.. Sewell to dictate the Executive APP
pointments and for thisa at least the Cam
den boss ought to keep the solons within
ounds
It is quite likely. too, that he will.
Speaker Macpherson said yesterday that
it was very doubtful if the session would
do anything more than make the corree-
ton for which they had been called to-
gether. He said that there was nothing
in the, constitution to prevent the taking
up of other business, but that any at
tempt at general law-making would be
strenuousiy opposed by the leaders in
both houses: Some bills might be intro
duced, as all that would be needed would
be for the i~ntroducer to get recognition
from the chair. but he thought tina would
be as far as the bills would get.
Undoubtedly Mr.. Macpherson voices
the sentiments of those who are lear to
General Sewell. He was with the South
Jersey leaders at Washington Park on
Thursday and while there the matter was
unQueStiOnably well discussed.