Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-01-28
Programme as Arranged by the WISE
aores-More Nominations to come-The
Matter of Biennial Sessions of the Legis-
lature-- Bicycle Baggage Bill.
Especial Jurisprudence

regard in which he was held, but doubtless
the latter feels that soft words butter nc
parsnips' and would prefer an expression
in acts from the executive.
There has been some question whether
this visit really helped or injured the SEN
ator's cause, many holding that Governor
Griggs' recognized independence and firm
ness Of character would lead him to resent
| anything having the remotcst appearance
| of dictation. 1t is not believed by those
best informed, however, that if he were
| perfectly free to act the governor would
be adversely affected by a display Of the
senator's popularity. 1t is thought that it
is a game of politics, in which the governor
| is playing what he considers a legitimate
and a necessary part for the accomplish
ment of a purpose that not he alone, but
others also are interested in.
Patronage and Politics.
The programme as fixed" by the wise
acres is that Governor Griggs is to succeed
United States Senator Smith in 1899, and
| that John Kean, who has been talked OF
in that connection, will be switched off by
| giving him another try at the governorship
Senator Sewell and Vice President Elect
Hobart are said to be parties to this
scheme, and as Senator Stokes is believed
not to stand particularly strong in the
good graces of the combination he must
not be placed IN an important state office
which would better be held by some more
loyal supporter. Such is the gossip of the
hour, and it is given for what it is worth
without any purpose of affixing to it the
| stamp of reliability.
Senator Stokes himself scarcely makes a
secret of his belief that if he had General
| Sewells Endorsement he would secure the
| appointment upon which he had counted
with SO much confidence. And it may be
that this Endorsement will be yet forth
coming. A very few hours sometimes
serves to make and break political states,
and no man can tell from one week to an
other what changes are going to develop in
the plans of New Jersey leaders.
Bank Commissioner George Wurts Of
Paterson is thought to have the best chance
for Secretary Kelsey's place in the event of
though William BEETLE of Camden is also
| talked Of
The strong feeling in the senate growing
out of Griggs alleged disposition to turn
down Senator Stokes did not interfere with
the confirmation this week of all the
nominations which the governor sent in a
week ago. The full list has been publish
ed in this correspondence. Will the senate
be as tractable in the event of the receipt
of some nomination for secretary of state
other than that of Senator Stokes? There
are those who say it will not.
Next week is almost certain to bring in
another batch of nominations The term
of Supreme Court Justice Van Syckel ex-
pires on Feb. Is, and the appointment of
his successor cannot be long delayed 1t is
predicted that he will be reapppointed, de-
spite the fact that this will continue the
Democratic majority on the supreme court
bench. The nomination of Samuel S.
full term is also expected. Other impor-
tant places in the balance are the supreme
court clerkship and the attorney general
ship. For the former Colonel John J.
Toffey of Hudson is mentioned, and for the
latter Samuel H. Grey of Camden.
Biennial Legislative Sessions.
But for the differences of opinion among
the legal fraternity concerning the consti
tuition of the courts, the proposed amend
ments to the constitution might be taken
up at once by the Legislature and disposed
Of Senator Voorhees, is firing of the delay
and threatens to bring the matter to head
next week. He says very truly that If the
legislature is going to wait till series of
judicial changes is framed that will be sat
isfactory to every lawyer of prominence it
might as well abandon all hope of ever do
ing anything.
In addition to the judiciary amendment
the one on which the greatest discussion
was expected is that providing for biennial
sessions of the legislature. 1t begins to
look now, however, as if the leaders are
uniting in favor of this amendment and
that it will be put through without much
opposition. This conclusion is based on
the attitude assumed by Senator Sewell
and Governor Griggs. The former, recent.
ly speaking for the Republican state COM
mittee, Endorsed the proposition, and Gov.
ernor Griggs has now become its outspoken
champion also. He says that he is guided
not only by his own conclusions, but also
by those of the governors of Pennsylvania
and Maryland, who have had the advan-
age Of practical experience in the matter.
If biennial sessions, he says, are good for
those states and 80 others in the Union,
ssey ought to be good for New Jersey
The popular desire is not for more laws,
but for restriction of legislation, which
has grown to such an extent that nobody
can keep in exact touch with the statutes
of the state. The economy to be effected is
also dwelt upon by the governor, who
points out that $50. 900 a year can be saved
to the state by biennial sessions, each ses-
sion now costing 500, 900 or close to it.
As to the argument that the corporations
are the real advocates of biennial sessions
in order to avoid hostile legislation, the
governor does not think 1t is sustained by
the facts.
From all Of which it would appear that
Republican sentiment is crystallizing in
favor of the amendment, Notwithstanding
the opposition of the labor unions of the
state.
The other pending amendments passed
last winter are those providing for woman
suffrage at school elections, prohibiting
lotteries and race track gambling and pro
hibiting the governor from appointing ad
interim persons whose nomination to office
has been already rejected by the senate.
New Freebooter Bill.
The alleged extravagant expenditures by
some Of the county boards throughout the
state have stirred up strong sentiment in
favor Of wiping out the present system Of
county government and the substitution
Of commissions under closer public sur
veillance. Several propositions are under
consideration. One Of them made its ap-
pearance in the senate this week, being in.
PRODUCED by Senator Parry. 1t applies &c
Bergen, Burlington, Cumberland, Hun.
terdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris and
Warren counties, and it provides for the
election in each of FIVE freeholders for terms
of three years and with salaries Of $500 al
year Each party places six candidates in
fio1s and ~ s 81, :, rod tt.a ,.f