Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-02-03
VOORHEES, GOVERNOR.
Assumes the Duties of Jerseys
Executive Modestly.
CEREMONY SIMPLE AND SHORT.

The Democrats Succeed In Getting an In
vestigation Ordered For Camden County.
The Charges of Bribery In the Shaw
Murder Case VIII Be Looked Into-A
New Libel Act.
Especial Correspondence
Trenton, Feb. 2.-Both branches Of the
legislature held Wednesday sessions
this week, thus giving indication that
the legislative machinery is in actual
running order and that the lawmakers
have settled down to work. The in
teresting event of the week, however,
was the accession of President of the
Senate voorhees, to the executive chair.
It was a very simple and yet a very
impressive ceremony. In the assembly
chamber, where both houses met soon
after II a. m. yesterday, large assem-
blage had gathered. President Voor-
bees walked quietly down the aisle with
President Pro Tempore Skirm and took
his seat with his fellow senators. Presi-
dent Sxirm and Speaker Watkins occu-
pied adjoining chairs back of the speak
er's desk. President Skirm called the
assemblage to order and Rev. DR.. John
Dixon of Trenton offered a fervent
prayer. Then Chief Justice Magic, tall
and dignified, presented Bible to Mr..
VOORHEES, and administered to the boy
who was his law student some years
ago the oath of gubernatorial office, the
TaGnnT6inO f1T00lV
and clearly. The chief justice, the new
governor and Secretary of State Wurts
occupied positions on a carpeted plat
form Immediately in front of the speak
er's desk. Secretary Wurts, after the
oath had been administered, made a
formal transfer to the new governor OF
the great seal of the state, accompany
ing the ceremony with few appro-
pirate words of congratulations. Acting
Governor VOORHEES, then delivered re-
ply which, though brief, was so happy
that it provoked a storm of hand clap
ping at the close. This was what he
said:
81 accept the trust which an unusual
occurrence in affairs of state has
brought to me with an abiding sense OF
the obligation which such an accept
ance implies. 1t shall be my constant
aim and endeavor to discharge the du-
ties of that trust in the interest of all
the people of our state. 1 recognize the
fact that my selection is not due to
direct expression of the people, but it
has been made in accordance with their
will as found in the fundamental law
of the land. Their claims upon my
time and upon my best service in their
behalf are in no way lessened by reason
of this fact. 1t shall therefore be my
constant aim to do everything whereby
the honor of the state and the interests
and welfare of it's people from the high
est to the humblest may be promoted.
That such may be the result of my Ia
bors in this new calling is my most
earnest wish and hope, and to this end
I invoke the aid of Almighty God,
ruler of all nations, and ask the coun-
sci and support of my fellow citizens"
The exercises closed with benediction
by Rev. Eli Clifford, and President
Skirm and Speaker Watkins appointed
Senators Johnson and Braun and As
semblymen Gledhill Porter and Allen
to escort the acting governor to the ex-
ecutive department. Here Mr.. Voor-
hees gave a public reception till p. m.
and had q host of callers. Many old
habitues of the statehouse gave it as
their opinion that the simple ceremonial
of the acting governors induction into
office impressed them as far more sat
isfactory and quite as dignified as the
inaugural functions with brass band
accompaniment and gorgeous decora-
lions at Taylor Opera House.
GubernatoriaI Matters.
Ex-Governor Griggs disappointed
good many of his friends by not coming
to Trenton at all this week. He sent to
each house Monday night notice of his
resignation, but most of the senators
and assemblymen would have liked to
have said farewell to him in person. In
lieu thereof the legislature contented it.
self with the unanimous adoption of
resolutions highly eulogistic of the out
going governor and wishing him sue
cessful career as attorney general OF
the United States.
The senate Monday night also con-
firmed all the nominations of Governor
Griggs which had been hanging fire
since last week. Very few appointments
have been left over for Acting Governor
Voorhees, to make, for which he may be
thankful, as it will save him from get
ting into entanglements that might in
jure his gubernatorial aspirations next
fall. The appointments at his disposal
are chief of the labor bureau, five mem
bers of the state board of arbitration,
six deputy factory inspectors and one
member each of the state board of
health, the state board of pharmacy and
the state board of dentistry
The change in the governorship has
doubtless reminded Senator Martin of
Sussex or some of his constituents that
the governor of New Jersey is a well
paid official. He introduced a bill yes
terday to cut down the annual salary
from $4,000 to $4,000. The amount was
raised during the late Governor Alb
belts term from $4,000, but members of
both political parties supported it. If
reduction were now made, it would op-
crate only from the beginning of the
next governors term. But there is no
thought that Senator Martins bill will
pasT.
President Pro Tempore Skirm made a
very good impression in his initial ap-
pearance in the chair yesterday and to-
day. He gives promise of pushing bust
ness along at a rate that will permit
final adjournment by the middle of
March.
Various Investigations.
The Democrats got a chance to hit
back at the Republicans this week by
asking for an investigation of the meth
DDS of administering justice in Camden
county. The recent disclosures about
an attempt to bride the jurors in the
Shaw murder case down there and the
indictment of Lawyer Harry Scovel OF
counsel for the defense furnished the
basis for the Democratic attack. As
semblyman Allen, the Democratic
leader in the house. recited the facts
Monday night and claimed that an in
vestigation was as much needed in
Camden as in Hudson county. He
wanted a resolution for an inquiry
adopted, but Leader Gledhill for the
Republicans moved simply to refer the
matter to the present investigating
committee, which, after some debate,
prevailed-35 to "a. Messrs Cole of
Cape May and Murray of Union, Re-
publieans. voted with the Democrats,
and Mr.. McMurray (Rep.) of Camden
admitted that there was a noisome
smell in his own county
After sleeping on it, Republican Lead
err Gledhill yesterday offered a resolu-