Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-01-19

ed buildings of the state reformatory
at Railway. From time TO time there
have been appropriated and expended
on their account various sums, aggre-
eating $1S5, co., Work on these build
ings Is now and has been practically for
more than a year a standstill In
its incompletea form the building now
partly erected stands as a monument
to the folly with which the Undertaking
was conceived or to the lamentable lack
of good judgment shown in not pushing
the work to completion There may be
room for honest difference of opinion as
to the wisdom Of finishing the buildings
in accordance with the extensive plans
originally authorized. The sum estf-
mated to be necessary fer this purpose
Is a large one-in the minds of many
larger than is warranted in accomplish
ing the objects of a reformatory There |
is a need. however, fer some new build |
ings in which TO confine our criminals |
Increased accommodations must be pro-
vided either here or elsewhere From |
the annual report ii appears that the
state prison is again overcrowded, not |
withstanding the recent addition to the |
number of it's cells. Increased accom-
mediation, however. is not all that is |
demanded. 1t is of the greatest impor-
tance that we should begin at the ear
liest possible moment a system of pris-
on treatment which. wherever tried, |
has proved so beneficial in the refor- |
nation of criminals. Motives of hui
manity and selfish interest alike prompt
this undertaking. 1t will be within the |
province of the legislature to deter
mine whether the work shall be COM
pleted as originally designed or wheth-
er the present plans shall be so modi- |
fed as to call for the expenditure of a |
less sum of money without interfering
with the method of treatment Of pris- |
oners which it is proposed to follow. |
These statements are not intended to |
impute a reckless extravaganza in the |
work already done. / believe that the
strictest honesty has characterized ev-
cry disbursement. The buildings are
models in simplicity of design, and
there is an absence of elaborate and ex-
terror ornamentation calling for USE
less expenditure. hope that the egisla- |
ture will give earnest attention to the
matter in order that the interests of the
state may be served and the inaugura-
ton of a great and beneficial work nc |
longer delayed
There is another subject to which ref |
erence can be appropriately made It
this time, for it is one in the proper so
luton of which the public at large are
greatly interested. I refer to the great
and increasing value of franchises pos
sessed and exercised by corporations
who render public services for pay |
Ample proof of this value is to be found
in the vast increase in the amount of !
interest bearing securities and stock Is |
sued by them This increase in value is
due to many causes. Among those that |
readily suggest themselves are the rap
i'd growth Of our cities, the diminished |
cost Of constructing and extending |
quasi public works and inventions that
facilitate and at the same time decrease
the expense of operation. Corporations
which supply public necessities in this |
state have been capitalized in recent
years at many times the cost of their
property and vastly in excess of what
1t would cost to reconstruct them. 1t is |
admitted that the public have derived
great benefit from the growth Of these
corporations in the way of better serv-
ice and lower rates. but this benefit itl
is asserted. is less than 1t might have
been if obligations had not been unnec-
bonds issued to represent the estimated
value Of the franchises enjoyed 1t is |
not the policy Of these companies to pay
large dividends on their stock, but rath-
er to find reasons from time to time for
increasing issues of their bonds. These 1
are often widely distributed among
small investors. and thereby such trans
actions are rendered more secure. If !
the charges are true and there are good
reasons why past proceedings of this
kind cannot be undone it is all the more
important that they should be regulated
in the future.
We all fully realize the Importance OF
dealing with this matter in conserva-
tive spirit. The prosperity of state
depends largely on the security which
it gives to the capital invested therein.
Those obligations, however, which are
issued for the estimated value of
franchise do not properly represent
capital if that value is based upon re-
ceipts from excessive charges made for
public service Popular discomfort has
led to much unwise and injurious legis-
lation on this subject in other states.
We should profit by the mistakes that
have been made and devise some Just
and effective remedy, if one be needed.
In some of the states maximum rates
have been arbitrarily fixed by statute,
but this is crude method of dealing
with the problem and often unfair in
its application to the differing condi-
tions of various localities. A rate that
is reasonable in one place may be un-
reasonable in another. In other states
commissions have been authorized by
70 f..fo
vestigation of conditions in each par
ticular case. Experience has shown,
however, that it is difficult to confine
such legislation and proceedings with
in rational bounds In several instances
rates thus fixed have been so mani
festly unfair that the courts have been
constrained to enjoin their enforcement
in order to prevent confiscation. Such
legislation draws into our courts ques-
tions that are not properly of judicial
character, and it would be unfortunate
indeed If this state should be COM
PEELED to enact laws of the kind referred
to in order to find remedy for the al
legged evil. If legislation is to be enact
ed, it should be only after full inves-
tigation into all of the facts and should
be free from the Objectionable features
which have mentioned.
Events which have been most notable
in the history of our country have
transpred since the legislature last
convened. A war has been waged and
brought to an honorable and successful
close Victories on land and sea, the
most splendid in the history of the
world have been won. Our brave sol
diers and sailors knew not single de-
feat. For them no odds We're too great
no difficulties brought dismay. Impor-
tant and lasting viii be the influence Of
the contest thus waged We are now
as never before respected as powerful
and just people-fearless in the cause
of right, forbearing in time of victory.
Henceforth our place is prominent in
the councils of the nations New CON
ditions confront US, new problems de-
mand solution, but we meet them cour-
ageously. A special significance is to
be fonnd in these momentous and swift
Iy passing events Our national spirit
has been quickened and our people
united in sentiment. Old prejudices
have disappeared, and old wounds have
been healed. No section, no class. has
yielded to another in display OF loyalty
and devotion When the honor Of the
country was at stake and its safety
was threatened. there came from all