The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1898-02-25
LEGISLATURE IN ACTION
Disposition of Important Measures
of the Week.

Railroad Bill Comes in an Unusual Way
May Stir up a Fight-Police Pension
Bill MutiIated-House Passes Bill to
Appoint Female Factory Inspectors
Senator Vreelands Bills Considered
What viii be Done With the Game
Laws-Review of Weeks Business.
Special Correspondence of the CHRONICLE.
TRENTON, N. J., Feb. 24.-After full
weeks rest the Legislature entered on its
seventh week yesterday and displayed a
vast amount of energy. The Hudson
County Investigating Committee will get
down to real work next week. The ses-
sions will probably begin next Thursday
in Jersey City.
The most important matter before the
Senate Thursday morning was the sur
prise sprung by Senator Johnson of Ber-
gen who reintroduced Senate bill No. 10,
which is intended to give governing
bodies of towns. townships and boroughs
in other than first class counties the right
to compel the erection of gates and the
placing of fagmen at railroad grade
crossings. The unusual proceeding
adopted by Senator johnson was in hay
ing it placed on second reading without
reference.
He asked to have the bill placed on
second reading without reference, in
order that the committee might be re-
lieved from any embarrassment in TAX
ing action on the bill. This bill it is un-
derstood, meets with as much objection
from the railroads as Senate No. a. the
johnson Railroad Commission bill,
which was adversely reported last week.
Should the bill pass second reading with
out being recommitted, which means
virtual death, it promises to stir up one
of the most interesting fights of the ses-
sion. Senator johnson has bright hopes
Cf its passage.
When the police Pension Bill came up
on second reading in the Senate yester-
day, it was mutilated with amendments
in such manner as to practically kill it.
1t now appears that the Jury Commits
sion bill is practically dead. 1t was in
troduced early i'll the session, and re-
ferred to the Senate Judiciary Commit
tee, where it has since remained.
Several petitions were received by the
Senate, a few endorsing Senate No. SS,
the Trainers bill, which prohibits the To-
cation of saloon within 200 feet of
church or school. The others protested
against Senate No. 49, the Tax ExemE-
ton bill introduced by Senator Vreeland;
also the bill making the entire year an
open season for shooting rabbits.
The House has passed the bill provid-
ing for the appointment by the Governor
of two female factory inspectors at
salary of $1,000 a year each, together
with an allowance of $500 for incidental
expenses.
There was an interesting hearing We'd
nesday before the Senate Committee on
Revision of Laws on Mr.. Vreeland's bill
No. 70, which provides for the creation
of State Board of Children's Guardians
and county branches, being intended to
facilitate the transfer of homeless
children from almshouses and similar in
stitutions to respectable families. The
measure has aroused considerable inter-
est all over the state. Hugh Fox of
Hoboken and Mrs. Emily E. Williamson
of Elizabeth were the principal advocates
of the bill. The latter spoke interesting
ly on the subject. The arguments CON
sumed a couple of hours and when the
committee arose it was decided to give
further hearing on the bill next week.
The joint committee on game and fish
cries wrestled for several hours yester-
day afternoon with the general game
laws. Senator Engle's bill, No. 81, was
the only one considered. This measure
is designed to make the laws pertaining
to game as nearly uniform as possible.
The committee made little progress as
there seemed to be wide difference of
opinion, especially in the matter of fix
ing cunning season to be made uniform
and to suit all sections,
Several farmers asked that an open
season be established; SO that rabbits
could be killed at any time of the year.
1t was claimed that the rabbits were des-
tructive to trees and plants and for this
reason they wanted them killed off. The
bill is to be amended so as to permit the
sale of game at any time, in order to
overcome the present law prohibiting
the possession of certain game no matter
where or when killed. This is in the in
terest of sportsmen who gun in other
states and bring home their game. This
change is objected to by the commiss-
toner's, who claim that the law had
better rest as it is at present.
Another hearing will be given next
Continued on Fourth Page.