The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-25
A CRANBERRY STATE DISCUSSION.
RForts t. Brins About . Cosstitutional Con-
vention in View Jersey.

R6orts t. BFing About . Constitutional Ger.
vention in New Jersey.
Tho present population Of New Jersey is sub
stantially 10000 600, of whom 100000 are In
the two counties Of Essex and Hudson, and
100000 in the remaining nineteen counties Of
the State. There are 80, 900 farms in the State
Of New Jersey, and less than 300 Of them are In
the two counties which have nearly 40 per
cent. of tho total population. Tho assessed val
uation Of real estate in New Jersey 10 approx
mately $500. 600, 900 and about $500. 600, 600, or
one-half, is in Essex and Hudson. 1t may seem
under these circumstance that while in point
Of area and agricultural product Hudson
county, which includes Jersey City, and Essex
county, which includes Newark, occupy q some
what subordinate position, they are in wealth
and population much moro important than any
Of tho others. The political divisions of New
Jersey are based on the county lines and not
upon population. Each county has q State
Senator. irrespective of its population, the
smallest county having tho same representation
as the largest. In tho Assembly this rule is to
be to some extent abrogated, but not sufficiently
so to deprive the smaller counties OF what tho
now posscss-a practical veto power on the
legislation which is asked by tho larger coun-
ties. Senator DAILY of Hudson county has
introduced into the Trenton Legislature a bill
which has already created n vast amount of
trepidation and is likely to cause much more.
II provides for a constitutional convention for
the purpose Of revising the State Constitution.
The measure is supported by the Hudson and
Essex county politicians who are DESTROYS Of
torial representation. II this were done 1t would
place the Senate in the control of North Jersey.
Under the DAILY bill, delegates to the conven-
ton are to be elected on the basis OF population.
Counties not exceeding 75. 900 in population are
to have a representation OF 4 delegates; those
not exceeding 100000. 6delegates. and those not
exceeding 100000, 8 delegates. This would give
North Jersey a majority in the convention and
mako II possible for that section to do u bout as it
chose in the matter of revising the Constitution.
What is known rs South Jersey includes a con-
siderable area of tide marsh and beach land,
sparscly settled. There Is, for instance. moro
land under water in Cumberland county than
the entire land surface of Hudson and Essex
combined. As there are few towns of impor-
tance In southern Jersey outside of Camden,
the Philadelphia suburb, the objections to tho
existing political divisions. based on county
lines, are radical and serious. Thus far tho
chief objection 10 any proposed alterations In
the method of representation Is made on the
familiar theme Of economy. 1t is claimed that q
convention OF 102 delegates receiving, as pre-
scrlbed in the DAILY bill. SIS q day each would,
exclusive Of clerks and other items OF outlay,
cost the people of New Jersey $50 a day. and as
the election would cost, perhaps. 10000 or
800. 600 additional. ii is argued that before the
convention adjourned the Cranberry State
would be poorer by at least $50. 900 than IL tho
delegates had never met.