Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-03-09
IspeciaI Correspondence.I

terest to Taxpayers In All Parts OF
the state.
Especial Correspondence
Trenton. March S.-The assembly con-
current resolution for sine die adjourn
ment of the legislature has been refer
red by the senate to its judiciary COM
mittee. The resolution fixed on Friday
of this week. and of course it will not be
adopted in that shape. The impression
prevails that final adjournment will oc-
cur on Thursday. March %, and unless
some unexpected obstacles intervene
there is nothing to prevent the carry
ing out of this plan. 1t is just posi-
Bile, of course, that the date may be de-
ferred for one week. but at all events
the legislators Will be away before April
l. One of the indications of approach
ing dissolution is the assiduity with
which the joint appropriation commit
tee has been laboring this week to make
ND it's schedule of annual appropria-
lions. Doubtless the most trying prob
lem before the committee is that con-
corning the disposal of the Railway re-
formatory matter. The committee con-
sidered this question Monday and again
last evening, hearing expert evidence
as to the least possible expense at which
the institution can be placed on basis
of operation. The value of reforma-
tory in dealing with our criminal popu-
lation is recognized and admitted, but
the scale upon which the commissioners
set about founding the institution is
above the present standing of the states
resources.
The appropriation committee has also
been rather startled by the large bills
put in by the so called lay judges of the
court of errors and appeals. These gem
tlemen took advantage of the new law
allowing them compensation for the
time they spent writing opinions at
their homes. and the freedom with
which they occupied themselves in this
work is entirely unprecedented. Sena-
tor w. NJ johnson Of the appropria-
ton committee this week introduced a
bill amending the law and providing
that these judges shall be paid only for
the time they spend in attendance at
court. They get $40 day for this.
Another indication of approaching adj
journment is the joint meeting of the
legislature held at noon today. This
meeting is held chiefly for the election
of commissioners of deeds throughout
the state and usually occurs annually
just before final adjournment.
Hearings on Bills.
The committees of the senate and
house are busy these days granting
hearings on the more important bills
pending. The hearing on the general
township act. drafted by commission,
developed various objections last week.
but it is hoped that all differences may
be adjusted. One of the important OBJ
jections is to that feature of the bill
making the date of township elections
later than the second week in March,
as now. The farmers generally want
the date to remain as it is, because it
comes in their idle time. Another hear
ing is announced on the township act
for this afternoon.
There was an interesting hearing be-
fore the house committee on towns and
townships yesterday afternoon on the
bill proposing to annex Stockton to
Camden. Nearly so residents OF the
former place, headed by John L. Vehe
and several other officeholders, protest.
ed against the measure on the ground
that the people of Stockton did not
want to be annexed. Mayor Hatch and
former AssembIyman Lloyd appeared
in behalf of the measure and presented
strong arguments in favor of annexa-
ton. They said that Stockton was
properly a part of Camden, and the
consolidation of the two governments
was desired by a majority of the resi-
dents of both places.
The senate committee on towns and
townships heard arguments yesterday
on the bill to create the borough of
Lakewood, in Ocean county. Numer-
ousIy signed petitions were presented
in favor of and in opposition to the bill.
r. V. Lindabury appeared in behalf of
those who favored the bill, and he
made a lengthy argument. He stated
that the borough was needed because
Lakewood had mixed population.
Senator Smith of Ocean announced his
opposition to the measure and said that
there was strong objection to it from
many living within and outside the pro-
posed borough.
The senate after a debate yesterday
passed Senator W. NJ Johnson's bill to
prohibit the deposit of sewage hereafter
in any river or stream above the point
at which city gets its water supply
Existing cases are exempted. Senators
McDermott and Martin opposed because
they thought the act ought to apply TO
all cases. but Senator Johnson explain
ed that "half a loaf is better than no
bread"
The pollution of our rivers and
streams has been engaging the atten-
ton of the legislature for years. 1t was
thought that the commission appointed
a year ago would be able to present a
conclusive report this winter and settle
the matter, hut this hope has proved fu-
tile The majority Of the commission
report favorably upon the Inauguration
Of an elaborate plan. especially with re-
spect to the Passaic river, while Mayor
Henchcliffe of Paterson presents a mi
nority report against the saddling upon
the municipalities interested of a bur-
den. as he says. of fully s12 000, 900. The
subject therefore is apt to provoke a
debate in the legislature which may de-
feat the movement to stop the pollution
of our streams Under an act proposed
in the majority report a state sewage
EOilHltSSfpH Is " re tItdieu, " EDIiS1Sl
of three persons to be appointed by the
governor and to receive a salary of 81,
500 year.
Building and Loan.
Senator Ketcham introduced in the
senate this week a new bill touching
the investigation of building and loan
associations. The bill passed in the as
sembly last week provides that state
ments shall be made periodically by
such associations to the banking and
insurance department, but Senator
Ketcham's measure transfers the work
to the bureau of statistics and gives
that bureau $1,000 to cover the increased
duties imposed on 1t. The building and
loan peoI6e in convention here some
weeks ago asked that no legislation be
enacted but many legislators believe
that the rank and file of the stockhold-
ers prefer that these association should
be kept under closer surveillance. 1t is
argued that this supervision cannot be
offensive to loan associations honestly
managed.
Another attempt is to be made this
year to get legislation against grade
crossings at railroads. Senator w. NJ.
Johnson's bill on the subject failed last
year. Senator Ketcham stands sponsor
e. 1T