The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-03-29
WORK OF The SOLONS
Democrats Expect to Profit
BY Republican
Failings.
A HARD WORKING LOBBY
Corporations Got What They
Wanted From the Majority
While the People Suffered.
A HARD WORKING LOBBY
rsnso,a, % THE Jersey c.:y News,

! HCtC III 1 49, ct>N5 t%tN~
Lawmakers might do something or anoth-
er which would damage the prospects OF
their party. They now believe thar the
record which has been made is for the
best interests OF the State, and that the
people win endorse it DIT the next state
election. They do nor claim that there
have been any brilliant feaIs accomplish
ed in law-naking. and they believe that
absence of radical legislation will rebound
to their credit. In the appropriation or
| the money OF the State they contend that
the greatest caution has been exercised
| SO as to keep within the line of the strict
est economy. On the whole, they are not
| afraid OF their record being submitted to
the closest scrutiny, and they feel con-
iident Of a popular verdict.
On The other hand, the Democrats
feel that the Legislature, from beginning
to end, has been a stupid. cowardly body,
| and that the people of the State will say
so at the first opportunity. They charge
that public questions of much moment
have been sighted, and that corporation
influence ruled throughout the session.
The lobby has had full sway in all mat
tiers of Importance, and popular measures
| were ~strangled at its dictation. This ar
raignment by the Democratic minority is
to be followed with details and particu-
lars, which they expect to use as cam
paign thunder, and with all the force pos
sible to drive the Republicans from power
in the State government.
To a disinterested observer, who has
watched the course of events, it would
seem that from a political standpoint the
result was mixed. 1t is true that the
| Republicans have had abundant opp6r-
tunity to make a better record than the
one which has been presented for public
approval. Several popular measures We're
ignored altogether, and a tendency was
shown towards Indifference and careless
ness which was entirely inexcusable. The
first break of the session was made when
a resolution was adopted for a partisan
investigation of wrong-doing in Hudson
county. That should have embraced other
counties as well, because complaints were
made about them as well as Hudson. The
Democrats were particular to take ad-
vantage of hat fact. and ultimately made
the Republicans yield to the demand.
The proposition to investigate building
and loan associations was Numbered at
the beginning, and the Republicans are
held responsible, for that stupid piece of
business. The bill providing for a reduce
ton in the Governors salary suffered de-
feat because of a division in the Repub-
lican vote, n while the Democrats
helped it along, yet the party in power
will be held answerable for it. particularly
by the agriculturists of the State, who
| enampioned this reform measure. 1t was
noticeable that most of the Session was
devoted to consideration of corporation
interests. and that scarcely any measures
of an u~nfriendly character became a law.
There were more lobbyists in attendance
at this Legislature than ever before, and
owing to the activity which they dis
played at all times the opinion is we'll
founded that they reaped a fruitful har-
vest.
There was not much partisan legisla-
ton because very little was required. Is
is not on that ground, however, that the
Democrats will direct their shafts Of
criticism, because they believe that more
ammunition can be made out of the rec
ord with regard to corporation influences.
And it would seem that they$are not mis-
taken. But as to the appropriation bills,
there is not much ground for criticism.
Every effort has been made to have the
money of the State expended where it is
most needed, and particular care has been
taken to prevent waste and. extravaganza.
The Republicans, no doubt, will be
called to account for their failure to pass
the bill which forbids the licensing of
saloons and hotels located within 200
! feet of any church, school or charitable
institution. Nearly every day of the
session petitions in favor Of that legisla-
4 fio,, ara D-oconto1 fr0p, oil 1aartc of tho
State. The bill was passed in the Senate
by a ~non-partisan vote the day before the
final adjournment. It was~sent over to
the Assembly, and the presumption is
that it got lost in the shuttle Of the clos
ing hours, Had the Republicans cared
for the success of this bill they could
easily have passed it in the House. be-
cause they had enough votes and to spare.
Still, perhaps, if put to a vote, it might
nave failed of passage, because some Re-
publican Assemblymen were more than
friendly to the liquor interests. But it
was a dangerous question upon which to
go on record, and for political considera-
lions alone it was consigned to the rub
Dish pile of the session. 1t was a hard
fate, indeed, for a bill which had such res
pectable backing.
During the session $50 bills were in
troduced-294 in the Senate and 1902 in
the House. Out of these there will Be
about 275 new laws. The volume of really
important legislation will be meagre. In
fact, it is difficult to discover in it any
thing of more than ordinary interest.
The Erie Railroad Company received all
the legislation it desired to confirm its
lease OF small roads and its monopoly is