The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1898-02-18
LEGISLATIVE LETTER.

New Requirements for Commitments to
State Hospitals for Insane Bill to License
Local MILK Dealers Likely to Pass.
The sixth week of legislative action
began on Monday night. It is noticeable
that members of committees are working
harder and that, while great number
of bills are being considered there is an
entire absence of the haste which forbids
a scoreful scrutiny of bills. Among the
bills reported favorably in the Senate
was No. 1876, which provides that the
equal taxation bill of last winter shall
become operative.
Senator Vreelands bill, No. 1856, COM
Germs the commitment of persons to hos
pitfalls for the Insane. 1t provides for the
usual petition and certificates, together
with an official inquiry as TO the persons
insanity. No physician who is an official
of an asylum shall certify to the patients
insanity.
The bill as drawn meets with the APP
proval of the Board of Managers of the
State Hospitals at Morris Plains and Tren-
ton and is considered q great improve
ment upon the rules at present govern
ing commitments. Senator Days bill
providing for the election of delegates
for a Constitutional Convention to be
held on May 30. will die an early and
easy death. A number of bills were
introduced to revise the Crimes Act,
as recommended by the special com
mittee.
A hearing was given on Tuesday after
noon on the tax bills drafted by the
State Board of Taxation. Representa-.
tives of many schools and colleges were
present as well as representatives of the
National Guard and Grand Army men.
During the hearing Senator Vreeland
announced that the committee had de-
cided to report the bill adversely.
At the hearing on the bill to prevent
the introduction and spread Of the San
Jose scale, there was large delegation
of FORTS from Hudson, Essex and Nor
ris counties, New York city and Long
Island, who came to protest against the
bill so far as it affected them. The COM
mittee decided to accept the amendment
offered, excepting florists from the bill.
Senator Reeds bill, Nos160, empowers
local Boards of Health to license milk.
dealers, the fee not to exceed $40, and to
appoint milk inspector. Fines may be
imposed on dealers selling without a Ii
cense. It's good bill and I'll undoubted-
ly become law as the members of both
branches of the Legislature have in mind
the recent unfortunate experience in Sus-
sex county. Bill No. 1852 gives the State
Superintendent of Public Instruction the
right to designate certain public schools
in the State to which the principal of the
State Normal School may from time to
time assign Normal pupils of the gradu-
ating class to assist in teaching. The bill.
also provides for the establishment by
the State Board of summer schools at
one or more places.
Railroad corporations are pleased with
the adverse report of the committee on
the railroad commission.
There seems to be a diversity Of opin-
ion on the Dependent Children's bill. 1t
will probably be amended in some par
ticulars.
In the House appointments were made
to fill the vacancies caused by the resig-
nation Of the members of the Special
Committee to investigate building and
loan association.
Assem- DlymaQ EOOl0 OF motifs county
was among those named. 1t is perfectly
safe to say that under Mr.. Poole's advice
their will be no more tom-foolery like
that inaugurated by Ebie of Essex.
The Gledhill Investigating Committee
will get to work as soon as the Noonan-
Simpson trial in Jersey City is conclud-
ed. The investigation will be made in
public.
One of the most important bills intro
duced thus far is the Bergen Trolley bill
which. while introduced in the interests
of Bergen county. applies as well to
every county in the State, which under
its provisions may sell a trolley road to
the highest bidder, said sale to be public.
Bill No. 1870. Requires all non-resi-
dents to get a license from the fish and
game commissioners of the state before
they can gun in this state for which the
fee is 50.
Bill No. 40. Prevents boards of edu-
cation in cities from removing employees
or teachers for political reasons. Con-
tinues in Office during good behavior
those appointed for specific term.
Bill No. IN. Increases annual appro-
priations for public roads to $500, 900.
Owing to the fact that Tuesday is a
legal holiday. the Legislature upon adj
journment decided to meet on Wednes-
day and Thursday of next week.