The Monitor-register., 1897-02-26
NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE.
TRENToN, Feb "a. 1897

order to duly observe the birthday of the
''Father of his Country"
Senator Daily, the leader of the Demo
cratic minority in the Senate, sought to
have little fun on Monday night, to
relieve the monotony of the session, by au
attempt to get resolution before the
Senate, censuring Law Judge Joseph Ii.
Gaskill, of Burlington county, because
he appeared before the House Committee
on Railways and Canals last week, in the
interest of the Pennsylvania Railroad,
and argued against the Bicycle Baggage
bill, and instruotipg the Judiciary Com
mittee to prepare and submit bill to
prevent a recurrence of such conduct
President Williams refused to entertain
the matter, and on an appeal, the chair
was sustained. It is difficult to tell when
Sc Iator Days spasms of virtue are
going to occur, though it is a noticeable
fact that they arc altogether of recent
origin.
Senator voorhees, re. introduced the bill
appropriating $500 to pay the expenses
of sending a provisional regiment of the
State Militia to attend the Inauguration
ceremonies at Washington on March 4th.
Oaing to an objection by Senator Parry
the bill went over until Tuesday, when it
was reported and put through, with only
four votes against it-Senators Parry,
Miller, Kuhl and Barber. OF course the
amount is a small one, but the precedent
is not good one, Senator r sed to the
contrary, Notwithstanding, and especially
for Republican Legislature that has
been sounding the tom-toms for economy
iu State expenses. The bill passed the
House, without serious opposition, though
some of the Assemblymen spoke and
voted against it, Mr.. Crispiu, of your
county, being among the number.
Senator Voorhees, introduced the Jury
Commission act on Monday night. 1t
is lengthy one of about 4. 900 words,
describing in detail the method of draw
ing juries and providing that it shall be
done by two commissioners, not more
than one of whom shall be of the same
political party. They are to be appointed
by the Judge of the Supreme Court in and
for the county in which they serve, and
shall receive a compensation of $500 per
annum. Much of the bill is given up to
repetition of the existing law regulating
the exemptions from jury service, method
of notification of jurors, etc, and the
only change from the present system is
the creation of the commission, the re-
quirement of a public list of the panel
drawn, stipulation that no juror shall
be required to act more than two weeks
during term of court, and the fixing of
a 50 per diem compensation for Grand as
we'll as Petit jurors.
The death tf Chief Justice Beasley has
given new turn to the gossip about the
appointments to be made by Gov. Griggs,
and this additional vacancy renders a
new deal necessary. 1t is stated upon
Grey, of Camden, who was slated for
Attorl ey General, has been offered the
Chief Justiceship, aud a long interview
on Tuesday between the Governor and
Mr.. Grey gives color to the gossip. 1t is
stated, however, that Mr.. Grey hesitates,
because of the Onerous duties imposed
| by the new position, and especially since
his health is not very good. Should he
accept Judge Fort, it is understood,
would then become Attorney. General. +.
Justice Magic, it is said, is also being
considered for promotion to Chief Justice
Beasley's place. William Riker, of
Essex, is now slated for Benz F. Lees
place as Clerk of the Slpreme Court.
The Legislature adjourned on Tuesday
mornir g to attend the memorial services
in the Supreme Court in honor of the
late Chief Justice Beasley.
The Senate finished its work for the
week and adjourned yesterday. For
some reason the Senate consumes less
time in actual session, and as a rule
adjourns each week day earlier than
the House. 1t has, during the seven weeks
of the session ending to day, done twice
as much work as the latter body. Up to
the hour IF adjournment yesterday there
had been introduced in the Senate total Of
144 bills, eight concurrent aud ons j)int
resolutions. OF the bills, forty-four
have passed and gone to the Assembly,
and number of them have slready
reached the Governor. Twenty five more
have been reported and are in various
saages of advancement ready for fual
action next week, leaving seventy-fige,
in the hands of com mittees Ol the other
hand, the House has passed and sent to
the Senate only eighteen of the 239 bills
introduced there up to the cosiug hour
yesterday, and has taken no action what
ever upon two thirds of the bills ou the
calendar This is the result OF a cpmbi
nation of causes, the first of which is
the fact that few of the secoud year men
are quick tilted, and that the new men,
bers who show disposition to work lack
the experience so essential to accomplish
ing anything in that direction.
The preliminary skirmish in the fight
for equal taxation III the House opsned
Immediately after that body convened
this morning, when Chairman Rell, of
the Committee on Railroads and Canals,
Ieported Assembly bills Ms. /, 42 and
1874, the three House bills bearing on The
subject of equal taxation. The first two
bills were those introduced by Mr. K ink,
of Hudson, aud the third was the bill
introduced by Mr.. Derrousse, at the
request of the Equal Taxation Commits
sion. The latter bill was reported favor
ably. aud the two former adversely.
without com ment, by the majority of tn
committee.
Mr.. bod submitted minority report
in favor of bills Nos and AZ containing
about 5000 words. 1t was in substau ce
reiteratiou of the arguments advanced BY
Special Counsel William D. Edwards
before thu Equal Taxation Commission
onu UOiul0 buO OOlAh Ou hdllTOduS
and Canals. The report was prepared by
Mr.. Edw ards. and it rehearsed in full all
the arguments advanced in favor OF
taxing second.class railroad property at
local rates in the districts where located
and not by the State Board of Ass ssoIs
Before the reading of the report had
progressed very far Mr. Klink, Of Hudsoo
moved that further reading be suspended