The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-03-15

20 QfflaXEQ pIdCI1IS 4
way, so that their officers and directors
cannot be easily reached. | repeat that
| this State cannot longer afford to father
legislation of this character without
bringing reproach upon herself. We have
already become odious and an object of
ridicule in the eyes of our sister States,
and in the event of a retaliatory policy
the honest interests of our citizens Will
surely suffer.
If these corporations believe that they
exist for the public veal, why. do they
seek to conceal the names OF these who
are so much concerned in the service. OF
the public, and their places of abode?
We all know that even in their most in
offensive character. they are tolerated
do theoretically exist for the public veal,
they also as matter of fact. incidentally
exist for a good share of private gain.
Even SO, why do they claim exemption
from the operation Of the principle of
the equality of all before the law,
whether corporate or individual2 Greater
indeed is the need of more restrictive laws
toward them.
For fifty years, by the laws of this
State. officers and directors could easily
be served with process, and for the past
upon corporations to disclose the ad-
dresses of their directors. Now 1t is pro-
posed to utterly change this, and TO put
tress our corporations with all the pro-
lection that legislation can give, making
them invulnerable except in the person
of a single agent, who may represent the
corporation in some back room on the top
floor of a New Jersey office Dulldlng,
where it is even necessary to rent enough
chairs for the annual meeting of the
directors.
bill. 1t is a question which involves the
honor of the State. Shall New Jersey
openly extend the power the iaW-maklng
power, to intrench gutoeracyy? wv And ad shalI nt
recognize in you the right to impose upon
these creatures of New Jersey any re.
strictions within your jurisdiction?"
What if New York and other States re-.
taliated against New Jersey? By all the
expressed opinion of the United States
Supreme Court any State can impose upon
foreign corporations such legal reStrlc-
tions as in its discretion it chooses. and
suppose, forsooth, that New York should
impose upon New Jersey corporations in
particular such restrictions as would make
it impossible for them to continue busi-
ness with profit in New York, or COM
pei them for a like reason to remove to
another State; what benefit would then
accrue to New Jersey? We would then
be forced to disregard our present policy
of Revenue everything and State pride
nothing, but we would at least be freed
from the slurs of other States, and be in
a position to regain that consideration
which should be ours in the comfy of
our neighborS.
I do not know to what extent such
legislation will go, but. do believe that
the common interests which bind the
States together by the laws of comfy,
well understood and recognized, ii not
enacted will demand a limit, or else
bring about retaliatory action which will,
to say the least, seriously reflect upon
the pride of our State. The surest remedy
lies with the people, who by their ballots
to the wiles of these grasping corpora
tions.
1t is time to consider this question
seriously, and let it not be said to the
discredit of this Legislature that it took
stand with corporations against the
people, but let it rather be known that
we struck the first blow at the eoot OF
this great evil that the work may never
end until the blot that obscures the fair
name of our State shall be completely and
finally erased.
Senator Johnson followed Mr.. Daily and
spoke against the bill. On the vote being
taken. Mr.. Vreeland could only muster
nine votes. The measure was lost and
Mr.. DAILY looked happy.
Mr.. Johnson OF Bergen was the only
Republican who voted against the Dill.
Mr.. w. NJ Johnson introduced bill em-
powering the Governor to appoint three
persons to consider the subject Of the
pollution of any stream or river whose
duty after am Investigation shall be to
report and perfect a plan for its preven-
ton and to report their conclusions to the
Legislature. The commissioners are to
be paid not exceeding $1,000 each, and
may employ clerical help. They are
authorized to spend s25,000, which shall
be aportioned among the taxing districts
to be LEVIED ana ralSeu Dy lneHl IKE otHef
taxes III connection with the forego-
ing bill Senator w. M Johnson laid be-
fore the Senate the report of the Commits
sion appointed to investigate the subject
of the pollution of the Passaic River
valley
The house passed these bills
a. Stops any city from collecting any
liens which any official search issued by
the proper official of such city, does not
show thereon.
1851 provides for not more than so hours
ohIr fan hon M
bake shop employees.
2l3, provides for enforcing the ordinance
regulating the use of the Hudson County
Boulevard.
232, appropriates $4,000 to decorate and
repair the assembly chamber and reno
vate the executive apartment. Opposed
omy.)
Senate 10 fixes the salary of the crier
and Sergeant-at-Arms of the Supreme
Court at $3.50 per year.