Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-02-17
rnelr purposes are AKIN 70 those Sd the

their purposes are AKIN to those of the
public Scholastic boast of ali Ameri-
can citizens. The speakers contended
that many so called pay schools would
have to close their doors if subjected
to taxes and that the legislature should
not indorse the illiberal policy conterl-
plated in the bill. Among those who
spoke were Rev. T, II. Landon, for the
Bordentown institute: Charles c. Sti-
ments, for the Hasbrouck institute; j.
H. Mcvickar. for the Mantclair Militia
ry academy; ]. e. Perry, for Peddie in
stitute at Hightstown; General James
S. Rushing, for Pennington seminary;
Judge z. S. Atwater, for the Pingree
school, Elizabeth; j. b. Parsons for
the Englewood School For Boys, and S.
H. Little, for the Miss Dana seminary.
Morristown. The educators carried the
day with the committee, which an
nounced that the bill would not be re-
ported favorably This decision of the
committee means black eye for the
state board of taxation, which had set
it's heart on the enactment of a law
doing away practically with all exemp-
tions. The state board reported that
about one-tenth of the ratables within
the state was escaping tax through ex-
emptions of various kinds.
Another hearing slated for yesterday
was that upon Senator Skirm's bill to
prevent the introduction of the San
Jose scale and other Injurious insects
into the state. The hearing, however,
did not amount to much, as an agree
ment was reached between the advo-
Gates and opponents of the measure.
The principal point was to require nur-
serymen from outside the state to send
along with each shipment into New
Jersey certificate from a proper OFF,
cial to the effect that their goods were
free from faint. Florists We're included,
and this aroused so much opposition
that it was agreed yesterday to exempt
them from the provisions of the bill.
There are five other states making a
similar requirement of the nurserymen,
and therefore New Jersey, in passing
the amended act. will not be imposing
unusual hardships on any one.
No Railroad Commission.
The railroad commission bill, which
the railroads attacked fore and aft in
committee last week, as reported in this
correspondence, was killed this week
by an adverse report from the senate
committee on railroads and canals, Sem
ator Engle, chairman. Senator w. M.
Johnson, who offered the BILL said he
found the temper of the public was such
at the present time that it would be
vain to fight the report. The railroads
we're against it, and the cities were di-
vided in sentiment as to what they
wanted. This leaves Senator Johnson's
bill to give relief to small towns still
In the hands of the same committee
At present the large cities of the state
have the right to compel railroads to
protect their crossings with gates or by
means of flagmen but the smaller towns
have no such power. The railroad an
Ewer is that they are establishing such
safeguards as rapidly as they can, but
that under pressure of such a bill as
Senator Johnson's the work would be
hurried faster than several of the poorer
roads could stand the expense. It Is
hardly likely that Senator johnson will
be successful with this bill either as
against the railroads.
Another bill which narrowly escaped
defeat was one providing for an appro-
priation of 100000 for school improve
ments in Bayonne. 1t was opposed by
Senator Reed and others on the ground
that it would permit any city in the
state to raise 100000 year for school
Improvements. Senator Daily, who
championed it, finally consented to
amendments restricting the appropria-
ton to one year and requiring action
within six months. The bill will prob
ably pass in that shape.
A bill allowing cities of 10000 inhab-
itants to have a district court passed
the senate, as did the following: In
cooperating the borough of South River
Middlesex county; Incorporating the
borough of Longport, Atlantic county,
and exempting from taxation donations
and legacies to religious societies.
The assembly passed the Essex coun-
ty park bonding bill and these: Incor-
porating the borough of Branchville,
ough of High Bridge, Hunterdon coun-
ty. and incorporating the town of IT.
vington, Essex county.
A constitutional Convention.
Senator DAILY has introduced a bill for
constitutional convention. There was
much said through the public press
previous to the legislative session of
the need of such convention for the
purpose Of providing for a lieutenant
governor, among other things, the ext
gency caused by Governor Griggs' res
ignation directing attention to the wis
dom of having ready substitute. Gen
eral Sewell and other Republican lead
ers, however have put their foot down
on the movement, and there is little or
no chance for Senator Days bill. The
bill provides that the convention shall
be held on May next. The number OF
delegates to be elected shall be l02. Ac-
cordlng to the state census of 1885, each
county having a population not exceed
ing 10000 shall elect four delegates;
those having over 15.UU0 population, but
not exceeding $4,000, shall elect six;
those having more than $4,000 shall
eject eight delegates. Not more than
nan OF the number OF delegates to be
CHOSEN IN eacn county snail pc OF the
Same politlcal party, the aim OF the bill
neing 70 make the convention nonpar-
1,san: Inc convention snall assemble In
Irenton on iuesday, June the pre-
sIolns oincer 10 De the chleI justice OF
zach delega 70 sb.1i -a,a;,-a * -. 80
The convention shall have power to
frame either a new constitution or spe-
cific amendments. The revised consti-
tuition as whole, or in separate nor
lions or amendments shall be submitted
to the people for ratification or rejection
at a special election to be held for that
purpose on Tuesday, Sept. 6. The method
of hallotinp shall he stfor', ~. 90 on ,,st