The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-03-11
ADJOURNMENT IN SIGHT
Fixes March "a
Camden Armory Wants
More Money.

several pOSlllVe SlSHS 81 uHdl dujoulii
ment about yesterdays proceedings OF the
Legislature. The most notable one was a
resolution by Mr.. Gledhill fixing Thurs
day. March "a. as the day for sine die
LEGISLATURE. 1t was adopted without OPP
position. Other indications of the last
days of the session were Senator Skirms'
order to keep the floor of the Senate
chamber clear. and the amount of work
which both Houses did.
There was a skirmish in the Senate
over Senate ISL, appropriating $4,000 TO
meet unpaid bills for ~equipping the new
Camden armory, which was advocated by
Senator~H. w. johnson of Camden, who
said the original estimate had been unfor-
~tunateIy exceeded. despite efforts TO keep
it down.
Senator Francis led a vigorous attack
upon the measure as a piece of unwar-
ranted extravaganza. The original appro-
priation of about s1sO, OOo,i it had been prom
ised, would include everything, but last
year there was a demand for $4,000 extra
for furnishing. The Senate allowed this
also, with the understanding that it was
the last call. Now comes a new bill for
another 5000, with a frank statement
that the last appropriation had been ex-
4 IL pass ooNAA - 49,
tahlishing the worst sort of a precedent.
Senator Martin also opposed. He said
he understood the Appropriation Commit
tee was unable to meet fully the needs Of
some of the States most worthy institu-
lions. and while such a state of things
existed. he was certainly against voting
away money for the ~luxuries which en-
tered into this armory's equipment.
President Skirm took the floor Senator
Braun in the chair, and, reviewing the
situation, said it was clearly and distinct
ly stated, when the original armory ap-
preparation was up, that it would include
all, and the same statement, with in
creased emphasis, was made when the
supplemental appropriation of Sc, 900 came
up. There still remain bills to the amount
of 81, 200, and the people of Camden say
if the State will contribute $4,000 they
will raise the balance. Paterson and Jer-
sey City had furnished their armories
themselves by means of fairs, etc. Mr..
Skirm thought it time to call a halt on
these armory expenses. Essex county
was receiving 100000. and the indications
were that an extra $50, 900 or $4,000 would
be asked Mercer count when it got
money enough to buy land, would want an
armory. Mr.. Skirm. under the circum-
stances, would vote for the pending bill,
but thought a warning should be sound
/ ed.
Senator Francis-sIf you vote for this
excess, how can you decline to vote for
future armory extravagances?"
President Skirm-"Because the latter
are now sufficiently warned"
Senator Reed opposed the bill. He was
against the whole spirit of favoritism by
which certain counties got armories and
other pickings at State expense, while
other counties got nothing.
Senator H.. w. Johnson answered the
attacks b.. saying that it was an inoppor-
tune time to preach economy, first, be-
cause the appropriation was very small,
and secondly, because nobody knew the
| day when our armories might be called
into active use for recruiting and drilling
| soldiers.
Senator DAILY said he would favor the
bill if it wasn't for Tuesdays election,
when Camden clearly spoke its MIND for
reform in armories and in civic matters.
Senator w. M. Johnson thought the ex-
ceeding of the appropriation was highly
improper, and it was a question if some
body was not liable to Indictment. AS
gentlemen had pledged their word for the
payment of the bills, however, he would
vote to sustain the States credit.
Finally. on Senator Hoffman's motion.
the bill was saved from defeat by being
laid over.
AT the afternoon session some trouble
arose over the bill providing that when a
telegraph company refuses to pay the
local taxes assessed upon its poles and
wires, the latter may be cut down and
sold. Senator Reed ~championed the bill,
which, he said, was intended to force tele-
graph companies to pay their taxes. At
present the law is such that while the
poles and wires may be sold, the property
cannot be touched, and the telegraph com
panies snap their fingers at the local as
SCISSORS efforts.
Senators Hoffman,. Stokes and w. M.
johnson thought the bill applied to rail-
roads.
Senator Reed contended that it does not
affect railroads or telephone or electric
light companies.
Senator Engle asked, if railroads and
| telegraph companies did not sometimes
use the same wires.
Senator Reed said if they did, all asked
of them was to pay their taxes. As to
Senator Stokes objection that if poles
and wires were cut, it would incon-
venience public travel, he said no prop
erty would be destroyed; the only result
would be that ~defaulting companies would
pay their honest debts.
Senator Vreeland raised the objection
that the bill involved double taxation.
Senator Reed was inclined to grow in
dignant at "captious objections" If
these companies were double taxed, they
had escaped sufficient tax a long time.
Senator Daily advocated the bill, which
passed, III, Barber, Hoffman. H. w.
johnson, Miller, Stokes, Van Cleef and
yreeland voting in the negative.
The much disputed bill which authorizes
the committee now in charge of the SOL
dies monument of Hudson county came
up in the House yesterday afternoon and
passed with very little trouble. Mr..
Bruder made a few remarks" against
the measure, but none Of the violent OPP
position which it was expected would
appear to the measure did not manifest
itself.
The bill to authorize the Judge of the
Circuit Court of this county to appoint a
sergeant-at-arms passed the House.
There has been here for several days a
strong lobby which has been working for
this bill as persistently as the railroad
obbyis does when some measure OF great