The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-02-03
BIENNIAL SESSIONS
Suspicion That the Legis1a-
lures Course Is Directed
to That End.
NO JURY COMMISSIONS
Carl Lentz and Republican Sheriffs
Succeed in Hanging Up
the Bill.
Especial to ..rhe Jersey city Newg.',1

Especial to "The Jersey City News."1
TRENTON, Feb. 3, 1S9S.-Four weeks of
the present session of the Legislature has
passed and the gigantic record Of two
laws enacted and four or five bills passed
by the Senate, and not more than half
of that number by the House. is the ex-
tent of the work thus far accomplished.
Some of the Republican leaders appear
TO realize that they are wasting the
peoples time and money and are inclined
to apologize for their dilatory action.
They say that they have accomplished as
much as almost any previous Legislature
in the same time. From the meagre re-
ports of the standing committees which
have thus far been made, it does not look
as though the work of next week would
be much greater.
There is a growing suspicion about the
State House that all this is done by pre-
meditation of the strongest kind and is
for no other reason than to promote a
constitutional amendment providing for
biennial sessions. 1t is well known that
this has for a long time been a pet idea
of the corporations, and yet it can hardly
be called an idea. 1t is far from a deal.
but is more of a cold, hard business fact.
Each session with it's strike bills and
riSSlllllAdlo IlcdSuI6S dSdliSl their en-
croachments and injustice. costs these
corporations a vast amount of money,
not to mention the anxiety and appre-
hension endured by those who are re-
sponsible for the legislative welfare of
the companies. 1t is to avoid this that
the corporate interests have united to
bring about biennial sessions. 1t is easy
to call to min the memorable speech of
General Sewell at Trenton that first win
ter when the Republicans found them
selves in complete control of the Legis-
iative and Executive departments of the
State, in which he clanlored for biennial
sessions. He pointed out what he called
the great advantage of such an amend
ment to the State and called attention to
the numerous dangers which beset the
people on account of the presence of the
Legislature in the State House each
year. One particular count of the indict-
ment upon which he laid particular stress
was the dilly-dallying of the legislators,
their coming to Trenton every week, hold
Ing two or three meetings at which Moth
Ing was done and then going home. That
is just what the Legislature is doing
now, and all the organs, especially the
state Gazette of Trenton, which wear
the Sewell collar are beginning to shout
for biennial sessions.
The jury commission bills chances of
passing look pretty slim just now. Essex
Rol oOCo1 L haAI d1A july NOlll-
mission. The county has a Republican
Sheriff and as. there is never any occa-
sion to investigate or complain of any
corruption, jury fixing or similar crimes,
which are now being Haunted before the
public wherever there is a Republican
Sheriff, the leaders of the party can't see
the necessity of any commission. There
are also certain elements which are highly
useful to the party on election day, which
are very much interested in the Sheriff's
office and perfectly satisfied with the
present of that office and have
no use whatever. for the appointment of
q commission. As the party must take |
care of these interests it is perfectly |
willing to stultify itself and go on record
as a breaker of campaign promises.
Carl Lentz, who is a beautiful speci-
men of the genuine Republican, minus
the hypocrisy and cant, was here all day |
yesterday working against the bin. The
sheriffs of those counties which are Re
publican have all been here, hard at work,
and their labor has not been in vain. 1t
was stated authenticity yesterday that
five of the Republican Senators are ir-
revocably committed against the bill and
nothing short of a miracle can a the
measure. |
One of the Republican leaders who
rhaffed under the criticisms of the Leg
lslature's inactivity, said that the do
nothing" policy would not last very long
Il the new Steering Committee" could
have it's way.
This committee, unlike it's predecessors,
which were regularly constituted and in
vested with arbitrary powers by the joint
majority caucuses, was elected in caucus, |
ratified N open meeting by each House
acting separately, and assumes no auth |
Drity except that vested by the Constitu-
ton and the rules of the Senate and
House. 1t was not formally designated as
q committee and the members, who are
the presiding officers and majority leaders
Of both Houses, are not anxious to be |
designated as such, but their work so far
demonstrates that they make, in fact, a
more effective guiding force or Steering
Committee than any of their immediate
predecessors, who were designated as
such.
The plan originated with Senator w. NJ.
Johnson, the majority leader in the Upper
House, who, while only completing his
first term as a Senator, has earned a rep
utation as an interchangeable worker. Mr..
voorhees, Endorsed the idea and merely
asked that its execution be deferred until
he resigned his gavel to Senator Skirm.
The first effect of the operation of the
new rule was found yesterday. when, at
ter the installation ceremony had ended,
the Legislature, instead of adjourning for
the week, as expected, settled down to
record of four bills passed, a number adj
vanced to third reading and a clear cal
endar in both Houses. Adjournment for
the week was then looked for, but to that
The committee would not assent, insisting
upon another session today. The reason
advanced was a determination to dispose
Of the less important measures, which are
usually permitted to hang fire and clog
the legislative mill toward the close of the
sideration of the more important meas
lres pending, none of which, the commit
ZEE declares, shall be acted upon in a has
~ or ill-advised manner.
In addition the committee holds that in
view of the most recent decision of the
Court of Errors and Appeals in the mat
ter of special or special or class legislation
many of the bills pending are legislative
lnposibilities, and that should be made
clear at once. in order to prevent further
Introduction of others of like character.
Again. many of the legislators, hoping to
come within the Inhibition of the Court
In the a~nti-spring election decision, have
IN the preparation of measures designed
only for the relief of municipalities of a
certain class, made their proposal acts
general, and to adopt them without
amendment would mean a revolution in
municipal government, while their rejec-
ton would entail hardship in certain
cases. To correct all this, it is pointed
put, requires careful deliberation, and
that the committee holds can be obtained
more readily by getting to work now
nan by waiting until the eve of adjourn
ment.