The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-01-12
RANK PARTISANSHIP
Mr.. Voorhees, Puts No Demo-
Gratis on Two Of the
Most Important
Committees.
TIE NEW PRESIDENTS SPEECH
Still Harping on Republican Econ
omy-lncidents OF the SEN
ate's Organization.
Especial to srThe Jersey city News."J

Especial to s"The Jersey City News."J
TRENTON, Jan. u. 1S9S.-Another dis
play of arrogant partisanship character
lied the organization of the Senate yes
terday afternoon. When Mr.. Voorhees,
had been elected President he took time
by the forelock and appointed his com
mittees. as published in .srhe Jersey City
News yesterday afternoon. When the
list had been read Mr.. DAILY asked whether
it was an oversight that no Democratic
Senator had been appointed to the Com
mittee on Appropriations and on Rail
roads and Canals. He did not wish to
accuse the President of any discourtesy,
but he simply wanted to know why the
minority was not represented on those
two important committees Mr.. Stokes
jumped to his feet and said that MT.
Days question was a reflection on the
President.
The gentleman from Cumberland, Mr..
Daily replied. knew how much he re-
spected both him and the President, but
he only sought some information.
Senator voorhees, here broke in saying:
THE gentleman from Hudson has gone
far enough. / will moi permit him to
question my action. If he wishes to
raise the question he should do SO by a
motion of censure and not in this indirect
way"
Il did not know began Mr.. DAILY,
when the President broke in with:-"l
am not responsible for the gentleman's
knowledge" +tes
Il know that" said Mr.. Daily, n the
episode ended.
There are many other people beside
Mr.. DAILY who would like to know what
Mr.. Voorhees, reason for his partisan
Crowded galleries and flowers bedecked
desks Were a marked feature OF the or
ganization of the Senate: It was said
by a Trenton florist that the flowers dis
played in the State House cost $500.
Senator w. NJ. Johnson of Bergen took
the chair, and having called the Senate
to order, read a communication from Sec
rotary OF State Wurts, giving a list Of the
hold-over Senator's, ana then of the Sen
ators elected last November as follows.
Cape May. Foster of Hunterdon, Van
Cleef of Middlesex, Braun of Passaic and
Martin of Sussex.
Senator Johnson declared that a major
ity being present of regularly elected Sen
ators, the Senate was ready for organiza-
ton.
Senate Stokes moved that Senator Daily
of Hudson be chosen as temporary Chair
man. The motion prevailed. Senators
Engel and Barber were appointed to es-
corr senator Ddly 10 the cnalf. a
After prayer by Rev. DR.. Maddox Of
Trenton. Senator w. NJ. johnson nomi-
mated Henry B. Robinson of Union as
temporary Secretary.
Senator w. NJ. johnson then offered the
credentials OF the newly elected senators
named above, n they took the oath Of
office after the usual form.
nominations for President, named Foster
IN. Voorhees, of Union. Senator Martin
nominated William D; DAILY of Hudson.
whereupon Senators VI. N. Johnson and
Martin were appointed to escort Mr.. Voor-
hees to the chair. The President was re-
ceived with applause as he took up the
gavel, having previously taken the oath of
office. He spoke as follows
Fellow Senators-We are again called
upon to discharge u duties as repre-
sentatives. Into our hands is committed
the keeping of the honor of the State and
the interests of its people are entrusted
to our care. Our responsibility is no light
one, for what we may DO here can cause
benefit or harm.
1T is fortunate for us that those whom
we represent are intelligent and just.
They will watch our proceedings With
care, but will give to us our need of
praise, if we have lone well, or visit us
with their cenSure ii we prove false. Our
reward or condemnation is just, but GER
tain.
In your inteilieence and honesty of pur-
pose n in your wish TO meet and fulfill
the requirements of the session now be-
gun, he whom you have selected to pre-
side overs your deliberations has a conf
dence based upon long and pleasant asso-
citation. He presumes, with diffidence, to
make a brief reference to some matters
which in his judgment may be subjects
for your consideration.
1t is not intended to question or improp-
erly sway the convictions of any mem
Der. This is not within the province of
YOUR presiding officer. Each Senator
within the domain of his conscience, is
or should be sovereign master of his own
acts. 1t is his right to resent and repel
interference with the free exercise OF his
own Judgment, from Whatever source II
may come.
Presuming however, upon that intimate
acquaintance with the majority OF the
Senators. in relations public and private.
which it has long been our privilege I'M
pleasure to enjoy, we do not think that
our motive will be m~isconstrued or Of
tense be felt where none is intended. we
believe there is a demand for fewer laws.
The people want not many, but good laws.
They will not complain If we give them
such. Hastily considered sacts are apt to
he subjects for construction by the courts,
and their uncertainty is . cause of pub
lie Inconvenience. In ou+ labors we should
hasten slowly.
In dle deliberation lies safety. and in
legislation involving matters of impor-
lance and ~far-reaching in their conse-
ouences. haste is neither wise nor expect
ed. Our duty is to enact necessary laws,
and no Others. But to meet and IN haste
perform our labors and then adjourn
reems 70 rs TO reflect upon the Judgment
ana To ouestion the confidence of those
To whom we owe our selection. only
subjects of Importance need be consider
ed. but the consideration OF these should
NOT be deferred. Promptness is COM
N sndable. so far as it is consistent with
care and deliberation. Some Things are
to he done. for a need for them exists.
Let us do them with caution. and with
out fear submit the result OF our LABOR
for approval or disapproval. 10 90 MOTH
ing when something should be done is
Marty commands respect which has the
courage to do that which the public in
forests require. Several SUBJECTS OIL I'M
nortance will engage our attention.. Ihey
will require action of some kind Happily
none are partisan in character Our ac-
nIlfcome of our best Judgment.
We are personally convinced that there
;s need Of enactment to relieve the exc
caltion and enforcement oil our civil ana
criruinal laws from all suspicion or cues
tion. That system is dangerous which
permits a public officer, ii he choose, Tor
personal or political reasons, without re-
straint and without remedy at the hands
of the people, to thwart the adminisfra-
tion Of Justice, defy the courts and make
abortiye all efforts to punish criminal
offenders. A remedy is urgent; and, 1t IS
respectfully submitted, should be granted.
Our people have at all times cheerfully
r,enf They should be called upon to
paw their share, and no more. Laws
witch by their terms or IN their enforce
ment relieve some of their burden and add
| TO that of others. are faulty: Valuation
| should be fair and equal. to the end that
| Cnmnlaints are more justly directed
oeaipst the manner Of the enforcement