The Monitor-register., 1897-02-05
NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE.
TRENTON. Feb. 2, 1897

ing to do. Gov. Griggs was not here on
Monday night, and in consequence there
was an unusually quiet. air about the
Capitol, the politicians having little to do
but discuss the probabilities Of the sitn
alton as to the coming appointments,
always a matter of interest, however, to
those who figure on the political chess
board. Nothing was done in either
House Monday night beyond the intro.
duction of bills, and the sessions we're
very brief.
Gov. Griggs was on hand early this
morning, and about the first matter to
engage his attention was delegation
from Camden, who came to urge the
appointment of Martin V. Bergen as
Law Judge of Camden county. There
is good sized fight on hand in Camden,
but it is probable that ex Judge Arm
strong will fnally carry off the prize,
though there are strong odds against him.
Rev. Maurice P. Fixes, a young clergy
man of this city, and pastor of the First
Baptist Church, created little stir
in the usually diguifisd Senate, on Mon
day night, in the opening prayer. when
he petitioned that the Senators may not
be bought" and that they would perform
the duties Of Senators ''like honest
men; not to allow their mouths to be
muzzled by corporations, but to legislate
for all, especially the oppressed and
down. trodden. The minister said good
deal more in the same strain, but when
be prayed that noLe of the Senators would
''allow themselves to be bought" many
of the heads bowed in reverence were
! suddenly raised, SO that the Senators
might obtain good look at the deliberate
preacher.
Senator johnson introduced his Rail
road Commission Bill on Monday night.
The bill provides for a commission Of
three members, to be appointed by the
Governor. Not more than two members
of tie Board shall belong to the same
political party. The term of office is
five years, although any member may be
removed from office by the Governor for
cause. The Board snail appoint clerk,
and shall have the power to engage suoh
other assistants as may be necessary
The salary of the Commissioners is fixed
at SO 500 each, and the clerk is to receive
81, 500. The annual expense of the
Board, including the salaries of the
pensation of the other assistants, shall
be borne by the several corporations
owning or operating railroads or street
railways in the State. The Board shall
make an annual report to the Legislature
Oh the condition of affairs and conduct of
all railroad corporations doing business
10 New jersey. The commission will
have power to regulate crossings, gates
and flag men, investigate accidents, and
all matters pertaining to both steam and
trolley lines. 1t is quite sweeping
measure, but its chances for passing are
fairly good.
In speaking of the bill, Senator John
son said to day: cit is not what any one
could call radical measure. Il is true
it hits at rome of the great corporations,
out its aim is to provi ide an unbiased
tribunal, before which the disputes which
are constantly arising between railroad
and traction companies and the people
may be promptly heard and equitably
disposed Of The bill has met with the
approval of a number of the best
attorneys in the State, and, SO far as its
constitutionality is concerned, l am
almost sure it will pass muster, and l
know that determined effort will be
made to secure its passage"
Senator Ross last night introduced the
new borough bill, formulated by the
representatives of the various borougbs
the State, at a recent meeting. The bill
is designedto correct all the imperfections
in tie present borough laws. and is
practically codification of those laws.
The bill provides for uniform system
of borough government, irrespective of
the size or classification of the borough.
Each borough, under the bill, is to have
Mayor, six Councilmen and full com.
plement of minor officers, who are to
hold office for two years. Besides this,
each borough is to have one representa-
tive in the County Board of Freeholders.
The borough is to have representative
in the Board of Freeholders, whether its
corpo rate limits cover township or only
a small portion.
The bill endows the borough govern
ment with unlimited powers of taxation
for local improvements. and in addition
to this the Council and the Mayor are
empowered to bond the borough for local
improvements to 90 per cent of tire
valuation of the property under their
control. The Council, with the consent
of the Mayor. is authorized by the bill to
make all local i'm provements. and the
same body is empowered to deal with the
TAOioo 4uObbiOn OWu ".
The Senate to-day passed the bill re.
quiring the election envelope to be made
of blue instead of white paper. Senator
Reed, who introduced the measure,
explained that he had been informed by
election officers that they lose numerous
official envelopes in the voting booths.
Being of the same color as the ballot, 1t
is almost impossible to fl I'D an envelope
when dropped among the piles of ballots
With the envelope ofa different color,
this difficulty could be overcome. Under
the law the election officers are required
to account for all the official envelopes re-
ceived from the county clerk.
Senator Miller has introduced bill in
the Senate that will no boubt become a
law. 1t changes the present law reletine
to Assignees in tworespects. AS the law
now is the Assignee must Q) post five
notices of the assignment in the neighbor-
hood wherein the creditors or a majprityl
of them reside; ~ must send copy Of
his report and a list of creditors to every
known creditor. Senator Miller's bill
changes the first to the p sting of notices
in the place where the assignment occurs
and abolishcs the second because any
creditor can see tie report and list OF
creditor on file with the Surrogate, and if
he so desires may secure a copy of it. l."
other provisions the new law is precisely
like the one now in force. This bill has
passed the Senate and will no doubt pa,
the House.
rhe House ordered a number of bills t"
third reading to day and they will b.