The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-21
THE JERSEY LEGISLATURE.
FOR HI SECOND TIME THERE WILL
BE NO MONDAY NIGHT SESSION.

The Other Time was In the Week OF tho Blk
zard in ~lesS-The Legality OF Long Ad-
Observation-Disclosures Before tho Commit-
tees-voorhees VIII Name No military stan.
TRENTON, Feb. 2O.-For the second time in
tho memory of old attendants the Legislature
tomorrow will fail to meet on q Monday even
ing during the time set for its regular session.
At the time of the blizzard in March, 1883, there
were no sessions for more than a week. as the
legislators were unable to roach Trenton. and
the Mercer county Senator and Assembly
men met each day and formally adjourned
because of the lack of a quorum. This
was to comply with the Constitution,
which prohibits either branch from adjourn
ing for moro than three days at a time
| without the consent of the other. For years 1t
has been customary 10 evade the constitutional
prohibition by adopting a resolution in either
| house. on q Tuesday or g Wednesday. that
when we adjourn it be to Friday morning at 10
o'clock. and when adjournment Is then taken 1t
be to Monday evening at 8 o'clock"
The ~pretence for a weeks vacation now is the
observation of Washington's Birthday. but the
real reason is that there is very little important
work to engage the Legislatures attention.
Both parties havo decided that, in view Of the
Congressional and Gubernatorial elections
next fall, no radical legislation will be consid-
cred, and for that reason several important
measures have already been reported adversely
| and killed, and others are scheduled for the
same fate.
washington's Birthday has been a legal Holt
day for many years. but the Legislature has
always voted DOWN resolutions to adjourn over,
for the reason that the day would be more fit-
tingly observed by working for the States best
interests. and after putting In q day Of hard
work and clearing the calendars. 1t has been
n,,afnnarY IN n admit n raa0lufi0n that " In
Wow of this being the anniversary" &C., this
House do now adjourn out of respect to his
memory" Some lawyers contend that by
its action in adiourning over till Wednes-
day without the formality of a con-
| current resolution the Legislature has ended
its sitting for the year and should not
meet again unless called together by the Cover
nor, but the Republican leaders contend that II
| adjournment can be had from Wednesday to the
following Monday. there is no reason why the
recess cannot legally be continued two days
longer. No one Is likely seriously to question tho
| right, particularly as 1t is an open secret that on
many occasions in the past tho Mercer Senator
and Assemblymen assigned to the duty of ad-
journing either house on a Friday have forgot
ten the assignment, but the session was con-
tinued thereafter without Its legality being
It Is reported that Assemblyman Alexander
Simpson Of Hudson county will appear In the
House on Wednesday and ask TO be sworn in as
o member. Pending the suit against him In
Hudson county he sent his resignation to ex-
be sent to the Governor In the event of an I'D
verse verdict. The disagreement of the Jury on
Saturday, his friends declare, leaves MI. Simp-
son free TO take his seat. There is little doubt
that IL no prosents himself his right TO BIO sworn
In will be questioned by the Republicans.
hearing will be had before the joint COMMITTEES
on Game and FIsheries on the dozen or more
bills pending to amend the game laws. At the
Senate Committee on Revision OF the Laws on
Benator Vreeland's bill embodying the recon-.
mendations of the special commission on de.
pendent children and providing for the estab-
hshment of q State board of children's
guardians, with county branches. The purpose
OF the bill is to secure the removal from county
almBhouses and similar institutions of orphan
ana homeless children and caro- for them In
State or county institutions until they can be
adopted in respectable families.
TIE New Jersey Children's Homo Society,
which has been engaged for three years In this
work and has secured homes for about $50
children, has circulated q printed protest
against the bill as likely to supplant all the
charitable institutions now engaged In caring
for children. Bishops Wlgger of the Catholic
diocese Of Newark and McFaul of Trenton are
also opposed to the bill In Its present shape, DO.
cause IL CONTAINS no provision that tho children
Of Catholic parents shall be adopted In Catholic
families. Both OF the Bishops will DO at the
hearing. !Rither IN peFeon or by proxy. The new
plan wOyld cost the State between 100000 and