New-York tribune., 1898-12-25


failed to catch the point. Is this case going to
complete the 50 ries-three and out II were?
Seriously though. there does seem to be a diff
ference of opinion among lawyers as to whether
Mr. Voorhees's resignation Senator from
Union County carried with ii the Acting Gov
ernorship. especially since Attorney General
Grey has hold that Speaker Watkins would con
tinue Acting Governor until the next Gov
ernor qualities and is sworn in. even though Mr.
Watkins might cease 10 be Speaker before that
time arrived. The weight Of opinion is that Mr..
Voorhees, doffed the Acting Governorshp when
he ceased to be Senator. There is. however. no
doubt about Mr. Noorhees's right to assume the
Governorship on January Il, even though he
had continued Acting Governor right up to
that date The constitutional prohibition against
a Governor succeeding himself clearly in
tended 10 apply to Governors elected Governors.
and not Acting Governors
II the fact he not generally known that State
Senator Edward c. Stokes is employed In the
Capitol as a subordinate Of Supreme Court Clerk
Riker II is no fault Of either his enemies or his
friends in Cumberland County. During the last
campaign Senator Stokess opponents attacked
Linn iercoly saying. among other things, that
the cerkship which he holds in the State House
was especially created for him. The Senator
paid no attention 10 these attacks. and the peo-
pie OF Cumberland reelected him by hand
some majority. Now that the verdict has passed
into history. THE Bridgeton News thinks IT
tine 10 rcply TO Senator Stokes's accusers. and
il does in these words.
Senator stokess present official and business
status H. we'll known He has upon more than one
legally Incompatible with or that would In any way
present employed under Supreme Court Clerk
Riker in The office of the Clerk OF the supreme
Court, No new position was created FOR him. The
duties he performs were performed by another be-
fore Senator Stokes assumed them and II ne wsIr
place This fact was thoroughly advertised year
ago last fall at the senator's request that ms con
siituents might be made acquainted with the facts
in the ca So This situation gives him an opportu-
tb law ard AZ the same time enables him TO more
efrec,iially serve his constituents than formerly.
ssr,Ico and tie sacrifice OF time and money he
has made In its interest. and ms constituents & Hrr
soosnf ,or ,r professon without entirely Withdraw
Ing from political NE. He is to-day the younges'
sny senate ana after eight years OF legislative
work his constituents have said well done
7, Mr.. Stokes be in the Senate three years
hence he will have vote To confirm or reject
the appointment # Mr. Riker or his successor
That always amusing publication. "The Jersey
CITY News" recently unburdened Itself of
numerous brilliant and scint!llat'ng thoughts on
the text Foster voorhees, as Dictator" II be
gan bv referring to Mr.. Voorheess firm determi-
nation 10 he n model Governor, and then pro-
ceeded thusy:
.There has been n superstition. st lingering
in this State that the Legislature, as being
directly representative Of the people, was su-
nrone In the land and that II did the debating
instead OF being dictated TO by the Governor or
any one else. no matter how great or how good.
But Mr. voorhees, intends 10 brush away the
last vestge Of any such romance. and according
70 his public declaration. he proposes to take
the Legislature by the collar and make 1t walk
spanlsh' II is given out on good authority
that he Will inaugurate reform In legislation.
and will insist tina, I'll bills must be In his hands
before final adjournment, SO that he can return
with his reasons any bad legislation
Les. there be a few dull-witted persons unable
to appreciate the humor OF that. IT is proper to
say that the Jersey City paper is not serious.
That newspaper understands thoroughly that
the Constitution imposes on the Governor and
the Legislature equal responsibilities for egisla
ton and that each has right to insist that the
other shall bear its own share. When the Legis
lature hastily passes "A few hundred bills and
then disbands without waiting FOR executive ac-
ton thereon. IL Is guilty of deliberately shirking
ifs Main constitutional duty This practice was ,
inaugurated during Governor Abbett's term: 1t
has nothing TO recommend IT, but. on the con- |
trary every public interest demands It's cessa !
ton. BY putting his foot down and refusing to /
coun,ennnce the vicious habit Foster Voorhees, |
will not be assuming the attitude Of a dictator |
Ill.