The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-04-02
The sledhilI Ftasco.

Ene rtdSCO-
In another column we print a letter
from a member of the Bar of this county
phases of the Gledhi1l inquisitorial pro-
ceeding are brought into prominence
There can be little doubt that in this
State, at least, general inquiries, such as
it embarked upon, are illegal and unwar-
rantable, and they are only suffered to
proceed because the line is hard to draw
between what is justiilable and what is
not.
In general II may be said that any in
quiry is competent which leads to q
specific result, accordant with the Con-
stitution. For instance, an inquiry which
was to form the basis of remedial legis-
lation would be warranted, so long as the
purpose was kept clearly in view. Equal
", an inquiry to serve as a preliminary
to impeachment proceedings would no
doubt be a proper function for a Legisla-
tive Committee; but this should certainly
have some certain individual officer in
view. It should not be of the dragnet
character.
Both of these purposes. however, and
indeed eli other purposes become vain
and imperative after the adjournment
of the Legislature, because that adjourn
mont makes their realization impossible.
We believe that even the instruction, oc-
easionally given, to report to the next
Legislature is Intellectual to correct a
committees lack Of status, if for no other
reason, because the Legislature has no
power to continue the official standing OF
the committees member over into the
next term even for SO much as one min
ute. They become private citizens the
moment the next Legislature is sworn in
and their report would have no more
status before the new body than would
the memorial. supported by affidavits of
any group of private citizens.
THE journal as usual, spued venom
over the whole subject in an editorial
yesterday. Its argument seems to be
that it was wrong for Allan L. McDer-
mott to bring up the Constitution n
the law as an interference in the COM
mittee's proceedings
This is a refreshing view Of the case.
No matter about the lawl No matter
about the Constitution! Let the lande
mongering go on. This is true reform.
In its true hysterical style, the Jour
mar thus handles the subject
1--WE u investigation.
"An we ask is that it shall be fair
and that Democrats and Republicans
shall be treated alike
"Otherwise we shall retaliate, and Vice
President Hobart and Governor Griggs
may be called before the Grand Jury TO
explain Republican crookedness.
I'VE will see that the committee gets
all the Information it wants, and more,
This was the form of utterances made
by the Democratic ring when the Inyes-
tigating Committee was appointed.
Well, it was not fair. Democrats and
Republicans were not treated alike. But
it was so trivial, 50 frivolous, SO utterly
ridiculous that any serious retaliation
would be thrown away on it.
The Journal goes on to say that Mr..
McDermott's interference saved the Free
holders from exposure. This is nonsense.
Mr.. McDermott himself. as Foreman of
the Grand Jury, mercilessly exposed them
only a week or ten days ago.
After raving a little more over the reve-
lations which the Gledhill Committee
brought out-in the Journals own inn
agination, presumably-it piteously be-
seeches Governor Voorhees, to
the Legislature in order to patch up once
more the committees powers. 1t is to
laugh. We can see Governor Voorhees,
making new trouble for his party COM
plying with this agonized wall Of baffled
~malignity.
The journal says
Can the Republican party Of this State
| stand for fzzle in such a cause as this?
We are all obliged to the Journal for
| putting it so neatly and clearly. It is
| certainly sad for the G. @. p. It shows
the danger of stunning when you're not
sure Of your ground.
Still ii is better for the G. o. P. that
| the foulness ends thus early. 1t may be