The Monitor-register., 1897-01-15
NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE.
TRENTON. Jan. 10, 1897

Inc legislative macnlneTy WAS seI III
motion to day promptly at 8 O'Clock, p.
m, at which hour the one hundred and
twenty first session of the New Jersey
Legislature opened for business.
There was quite a throng of people
about the State House all the morning,
gathered here and there in the corridors,
earnestly discussing some matter con-
nected with the approaching session, but
the crowd was by no means as large as
that which usually gathered On the Open
| ing day of the session under the old
Democratic regime, when the corridors
would be literally crowded, and standing
room in the Chambers was at premium. i.
To. day, when order was called, the space
outside the railing in each House was
we'll filed, as also the galleries, in which
were many ladies.
The crowd was not as large last night
as has been seen here in previous years
on the Monday night preceding the OPEN
ing, though the Trenton House presented
lively scene, Gen. Sewell occupying his
old quarters here and keeping open
| house, as did also Hon. John Kean, who
is looking with some concern toward the
seat in the United States Senate now
occupied by Jim Smith, Jr.
The State Committee also gathered
| here and held conference, and before
adjourning they invited Gen. Sewell to
attend the meeting, which he did, and in
| brief address congratulated the COM
mittee on the great success of the last
campaign.
| To the State Committee, he said, more
largely than any other organization, be-
longed the credit of great victory in
the last campaign. The State Commit
tee. he added, should be especially care
fully to carry out the promises made in
the platform.
Referring to legislation pending, the
General said the biennial session pro-
| visions of the proposed constitutional
amendments should be adopted, and the
State Committee should use its influence
to this end. Some thirty five or thirty
six States had already adopted biennial
sessions, and they were a step in the
direction of political. progress. 1t was
bad policy for any political party in this
generation to indorse annual sessions.
Regarding the organization of the
present Legislature, although he had
been repeatedly sought to give his views,
he had in all cases replied that he was a
conservator of the peace and would in nc
way interfere, but he would say that the
ordinary rules adopted by both houses as
to terms of Office should 'be adhered to-
unless there was some good reason fol
changing them.
One thing should be strictly observed
and the State Committee should enforce
with all the influence at its command
| that there should be no increase in the
| State expenditures. The business of the
Legislature should be conducted upon
economic business principles Ii the CON-
duct of the present Legislature should
be satisfactory to the people Senator
Sewell thought the State would continue
to give Republican maj orities for long
time to come.
When requested for his views as to the
utility of permanent headquarters for
| the State Committee the General emphati-
cally endorsed the proposition.
| The Senate held their caucus last Fri
day night and settled who should have
the clerical positions. The chief contests
were over the Assistant Secretary yship
and Sergeat-at-Arms. For the former
position Edward NJ. Fielder, of Mon.
mouth, who bad held the position fol
three years, wanted re election, while
Senator Parry wanted the position for
Jos. G. Kingdom, OF the Mount Holly
Nesos, and Senator Miller presented the
name of Benz. Patterson, of the MONITOR
REGISTER, for the position. Senator
Parry, being on his last year, and having
waived his claims last year, finally car
ried off the plum. For Sergeant at Arms,
w. s. Sharp, of Mercer, and formerly OF
your county, and R. T. Starr, of Salem,
made quito contest, though it was
apparent some time ago that peither
would be able to land their game, and
Samuel T. Atchley, was given the posi-
tion. Mr.. Sharp wilt no doubt be pro,
vided with some other position, as all
concede his claim to recognition.