The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-03-21
ALL AFTER MONEY
Legislative Committee on
Appropriations Besleged
on all Sides.
NOT ENOUGH CASH TO GO ROUND
Final Adjournment Looked for
Next Week-Stalo House
Gossip.
NOT ENOUGH CASH TO GO ROUND
Especial to ..rhe Jersey city News..l

the Legislature to be IN session on ihdt
day. Still, some of the Republican Lead
ers would like to have a dissolution occur
on either next Thursday or Friday. That
is hardly possible. however, because sew
eral important questions are pending and
it would never do to let them go by de-
fault. The general appropriation bill
is causing a lot OF trouble, and the joint
| committee having it in charge is at it's
wits end trying to make a fair distribu-
ton OF the public money among the de-
partments and institutions, from the rep
resentatives of which there is such q
clamor for recognition.
At least twice as much money is asked
| for as there is at the disposal of the
Legislature. For instance, the State Re
~formatory Commission wants q big APP
preparation to complete its work., and it's
magnitude is such that the fear is ex-
pressed that 1t viii require several years
for the saving of a sufficient amount OF
money to satisfy the demands. When the
law was passed three or four years ago
10 have the Reformatory erected the gem
eral impression was that it would not
cost over $3.50, 900. Already that much
| money has been expended, and yet not
| even one of the four contemplated wings
| has been finished. instead of a quarter
of a million of dollars a round million is
the estimate now presented for the COM
pletion of the institution. Then the two
| State Hospitals each want a big appro-
p~riation to pay for improvements ana
extensions under way, and the friends OF
good roads have asked for 100000 in
stead Of 500. Goo for the prosecution of
their work. 1t is 10 wonder, then, that
the Committee on Appropriations IS SO
tardy in preparing it's budget for the next
fiscal year.
New Jersey is never b~ehindhand when
patriotism demand attention. 1t is the
| first State in the Union to take steps
for the raising of money for war pur-
poses. The bill introduced by Senator
| DAILY, providing for a contingent fund OF
$250. 900. has been favorabiy reported,
and. no doubt, will become a law by IMAM
imous consent. Furthermore, the state
has lent a helping hand to the National
Government by ceding a portion OF land
en- the sea coast in Monmouth county Tor
the strengthening of Notifications for the
protection Of New York Harbor. Sena-
tor Francis, in his advocacy OF the Dill,
| said the citizens of Monmouth county
would be willing to eede the whole county
if it were necessary for the national de-
Tense.
1t is denied that the rumors Of war will
interfere in any way with an adjourn
ment of the Legislature. Should war be
declared after adjournment the Governor
has power to call the Legislature in ex-
ira session to meet any emergencies
which might be created. New Jersey at
| a few days notice can muster 1900 trained
troops, and in a weeks time thousands of
volunteers would offer their services. As
the state is without a public debt it could
raise at least a million dollars on short
notice for the equipment of its troops.
The members of the Legislature would be
in hearty accord with any proposition to
strengthen the right arm of the National
Government. All party lines would be
obliterated and patriotism alone would
be the ruling power.
During the last two weeks of the ses-
sion there will be an exciting time over
measures of a controversial character.
What is known as the Squire Trolley sale
bill has already caused commotion, and
the contest over it will be even more ami
mated during the coming week. The bill
provides for the public sale of trolley
franchises to the highest bidder, without
limitation as to time. It was originated
by Lawyer Frank Bergen of Elizabeth,
and has the support Of such capitalists as
IJohn Kean. The Road from Elizabeth
to Plainfield is the direct bone OF conten,
ton. John kean has already offered
500, 0C0 for that franchise, and it is be
The promoters of the scheme allege that
trolley franchises are usually given away
for small considerations, and now an ep-
portunity is presented by which Union
county alone can make at least 100000 out
of a twelve mile road.
The bill is strongly opposed by trolley
companies in that section of the State,
and it is said by property. holders, too,
who are against the sale of the franchise
for all time to come. Chandler w. Riker,
the legal adviser of the trolley companies
in opposition, is watching the matter very
closely, and he has brought powerful pres
sure to bear against the bill. The ques-
would make it appear that its merits
alone are not the principal point for dis
cussion. The Democratic Assemblymen
present shape and Mr.. Marnell, one OF
their number, wants the. franchise sale
limited to twenty-five years. Three OF
four Essex Republicans are Joined with
the Democrats, and SO far the conlbina-
ton has been able to stay the progress OF
the measure. Hostilities will be renewed
the coming week.
The Senate has got itself into a tangle
over certain corporation measures, but
ii may be Strengthened out this week.
The Erie. Railroad Company has leased
the New York, S-usquehanna and Western
Railroad n other small companies, and
it desires a ratification by the Legisla-
ture under special conditions. Under the
present law the fun particulars of the
lease, o.. in other words, the scheme OF
merger must be disclosed before it is con.
frmed. h Erie wants to evade that
provision, and asks the Legislature to
pass a special enabling act Other rail
road corporations which have leased
roads had to comply with the genera
law. and they do ont see any good reason
why the Erie should be given such a priv
ilege. The Erie people say they nave no
time to prepare their merger for supmls-
sion to the Legislature before final ad-
journment, and as The legislation they ash
for cannot be delayed without great in
jury to their interests, they ask for It's
enactment.
is anxious to have an amendment adopted
f~orbidding the. Erie to raise its rates fol
freight n transportation hereafter
There WAS a big fight over this. Al
agreement has been reached that the
Braun amendment shall be inserted II
the laW-and not in the lease. If inserted
in the latter it would be repealed. ant
in the former it could be changed by sub
! sequent legislators.
The Governor is fond of trouble, or elst
he would not have delayed making his
nominations for office SO long. William
S. Sharp of this city Is yet besieging hin
with petitions, asking for his appointment
as chief of the Labor Bureau. Mr.. SHARP
never let's uD on the Governor or his
out, here and there, in quest Of iniuenct
"a rramn HIS efforfS with Success Fly.