The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-02-14

Watching The ENEMY.
Democrats in the I.egisla-
ture Noting Every Step
of Their Opponent.
MORE REPUBLICAN BLUNDERs
Hudson investigating Committee
Quickly Falling Into Disre-
pute-state House
Gossip.
MORE REPUBLICAN, BLUNDERS
Especial 10 "The Jersey city News.'l

have been introduced altogether. surely
these furnish a sufficient of grist to keep
the legislative mill busy If the Solons
would show a disposition for work. About
two or three score of bills have been re-
ported by the committees, nearly all OF
which have been advanced on the calendar
of each House. 1t is noticeable, however,
that none of them are of much interest 10
the public at large.
The leading questions before the Legis-
lature concern the imposed enactment OF
laws creating a Jury Commission; a Rail
road Commission, for the abolition OF
grade crossings, giving municipal ana
township authorities power to erect gates
and appoint hagrnen at crossings Whefe
deemed necessary and at the expense OF
railroad corporations; requiring the week
ly payment of wages, reorganizing the
Boards of Freeholders; requiring all
building and loan associations to make an
nual reports to the Commissioner OF
| Banking and Insurance, and for the reduc-
ton of the Governors salary to $1,000. So
far very little attention has been paid 10
these measures, and it would seem that
the Legislature is afraid to take them up
for consideration.
Il Probably the session will not last longer
than five weeks more, unless its prolonga-
ton may beTequired by the action of the
Gledhill Investigating Committee. 1t was
the intention of the Republican leaders
when the session opened that it should be
as brief as possible. that the solution OF
| knotty questions should not be attempted
and that nothing should be done which
should endanger the prospects for con-
tinuation of Republican ascendency IN
State affairs. The Democratic minority
was to be shut off from any opportunity
to make political capital. and r~etrench-
ment in all its phases was to be advocated
and practiced with courage and sincerity
That was the programme marked out
by the leaders who shape the destiny OF
the Republican party in this State.
But even with the best intentions It IS
a very difficult thing, indeed. for the party
in power to make a record in legislation
which will not be open to fair criticism.
The Democratic minority has an eye to
business as well as the Republican ma
iority. and already there nave been sew
eral tilts in which politics p~redominated
between the spokesman of both sides.
A week or W ago the Republican
! leaders of the House were forced to take
water by the Democratic Representa-
ives when they yielded to the demand
for a wider scope for the Gledhill Investi-
eating Committee. AT first the epubll
cans were tenacious in their. contention
that the committee should insert its probe
only in Hudson county. The Democrats
continued on the warpath, however, until
Mr.. Gledhil was compelled to offer a
resolution giving the committee power to
go anywhere it pleased throughout the
State. Had this action been taken when
the committee was first named the Re
publicans would now stand in a better
light and they would not be open to the
allegation of craftsmanship. Republican
generalship was then lacking and conse-
quently the Democrats secured an ad-
vantage.
The investigating committee, it seems,
has been beset with difficulties ever since
it was named. ! Many prominent lawyers
were asked to serve as counsel ana one
after another refused. When William ii.
Corbin declined to serve as legal adviser
the impression was created that the posi-
ton was without dignity and Importance,
Young Robert H. McCarter, who has been
selected as assistant counsel, consented to
act in the higher capacity and he was CIV
en- full charge of the work. What the
committee intends doing is unknown out
sid its membership. 1t is the impression
however. that it may begin work as soon
as the Simpson-Noonan trial is over in
Jersey City.
The Republicans must not be too sure
that the proceedings of this investigating
committee will inure to their advantage.
If Hudson county alone is to be made
the target, then the intention will be 50
TRANSPARENT as to bring about severe
criticism from disinterested citizens. VIII
the Republicans be hoist by their own
petard even if the committee does con-
fine itself to Hudson county? The gen
eral prediction is that the committee will
not win laurels while prosecuting its
work. 1t is believed that if the appoint
menf Of the committee had to be made
again that the Republicans would drop it
like a hot potato.
The disclosures made in connection with
the Ebie Investigating Committee in the
House the other day have given the Re-
publican leaders some worriment. Even
admitting that Mr.. Ebie had not been ac-
tuated by any corrupt motive when he
sent out his begging circular for contri-
buttons to help defray the expenses of the
Committee, yet the fact was not denied
4 that ii was a piece of n1onstrous stupid
ity. And then again, when Mr.. Ebie, as
Chairman of the Committee, outlined its
course. which was, he said, for the bene-
fit of the old line building and loan asso-
Citations, he committed another blunder
which hardly could be excused. The real
purpose for the appointment of the Com
mittee, no doubt, was to have an impair
tial investigation made so as to ascertain
if the law was being violated and the peo-
bic interested in the associations mention
cd were being imposed upon. It may be
that state and national building and loan
associations are not doing Z square bust
ness, but vet they should not be convict
ed until evidence is first obtained.
The local associations have not been
above suspicion, and they may not be do
ing a square business either. The col
lapse of the two Trenton associations
MAJ be mentioned as an instance. Should
i new Committee be named the authority
should be conferred to investigate the
methods of business adopted by all build
ing and loan associations irrespective of
any consideration as to class or influence
No discrimination whatever should be
made, and the Committee perhaps would
find a fruitful field for its labors. The
Investigation should be made in the inter-
est Of The shareholders and not in the in
thraet ,f a1v one class Of the associations.