The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-18
WOULDN'T REDUCE SALARIES.
Farmer wiides's Bill Defeated by the View
Jersey legislature.

TRENTON, n. j., March THE House to-day,
by q vote Of 90 to 20, defeated Assemblyman
Wildes's bill to reduce by one-half the salaries
Of all State officers who receive more than $1,000
o year, provided no salary shall be made less
than 81. 800. The present Governor. Chief Jus
tice, and Chancellor, who are protected by the
Constitution, were exempt from the operations
Of the bill. Five members were absent when the
roll was called, and Farmer Wildes, the author
of the bill. thinks that II they had been present
his bill would have received the two votes need
ed to pass it. A similar bill passed the House
last year by a large majority.
Farmer wildes spoke for more than two hours
in favor of his bill. occupying the entire morning
session. He contended that $4,000 a year was
too much to pay any official in these days when
a dollar will purchase three times as much as 1t
would forty years ago, and that there are plenty
of good lawyers with a competency who would
be willing to serve the State as Judges for the
honor of the position.
The present officials are receiving much larger
salaries. he declared. than they were paid twenty
years ago. and the farmers demanded economy.
He quoted figures to show that New Jersey pays
much higher salaries than any other State. The
Republicans had pledged themselves to reform,
and senator Voorhees,, the Republican leader IN
s saS aes"e Could "a Sc Sso Tsdue Ss S % psr t cent. 0i' The
Wildes bill would save 100000 q year to the
Sldlt.
Messrs. Gledhill. Porter and Scovel spoke
against the bill at the afternoon session.
The Legislature will hold a joint meeting at
noon to-morrow to elect commissioners of deeds
in all the counties.
Gov. Griggs said to-day that he would not ap-
Court of Errors and Appeals until he learns
what action the legislature will take on tho
judiciary amendments to the Constitution. The
Governor Is opposed TO the voorhees, amend
ment adopted by the LeEtslatuEe last year. and
which the Senate has again adopted. He sug-
gested that the Legislature adopt the other
amendments and give the lawyers five moro
years in which to agree upon a satisfactory
scheme for reorsanizing the States judicial
system.
up the time 10 hearings on the Police Pension
and general Borough bills, Both houses held
sessions to night and are w1rking to SECURE hnal
sity OF opinion among the representative Of the
200 or more boroughs over the Borough bill that
ioneed in order to dispose OF the bin.
In honor OF 81. Patrick's Day the desks OF
Speaker Mcpherson and Assemblyman King
Irish flags, the Stars and Stripes. and large ever
green harps, and the desks OF the other members
with small american flags. The decorations
members, who had the work done. Assembly
man King Is the only member who was born in
Ireland, and he has a record of assisting in res
cuing from life imprisonment in West Australia
Government for treason.
portion OF Clinton township, Essex county. to
Newark, and permitting the Secretary OF state
and Supreme ne. G HoTtS Clerk II, as. to ,I Fssid nro SG ! to OF
authorizing jersey city to issue 5000 8 in bond;
reopening Of shark River Inlet at BeImar.
Mr.. Thorn introduced a bill imposing, a PEN
atty OF $50 on the proprietor OF any billiard or
ls or student under the age of 81 TO play bill
lizards or pool in his saloon or billiard room.