New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-05
NEW JERSEY NEWS.


Senator Mahlon Pitney. OF Morris County. and
the Republican Senators take much satisfaction
In bestowing this honor upon him because OF
the qualities which he showed in the last Sen
ate, when he was again and again pitted against
Senator McDermott, the Democratic leader.
and always carried off the honors notwith-
standing the ability Of the Hudson Senator.
Mr. Pitney will make vigorous and earnest
leader Ready in debate, quick to catch or
make a point keen In the scrutiny OF bills and
broad and progressive in policy, he Will ably
support the capable Bergen Senator who will
preside. and the party will have Just cause for
pride in the two men who will figure most con-
spcuousy in the session Of the Senate and bear
the burden of the work Of that body.
Essex has won for Jesse R. Salmon the Office
Of Supervisor OF Legislative Bills In the face OF
quite earnest opposition through the strong In
sistence Of Major Carl Lentz and Senator-elect
McCarter. Mr.. Salmon brings to his post
considerable ability as a court stenographer and
the habit OF exactness and accuracy, which will
serve him in good stead. He will doubtless ap-
ply himself at once 10 the mastery Of the de-
tails Of legislative routine, and be prepared 10
conduct the Office a high plane Of efficiency.
The department Of which Mr.. Salmon Is to be
the head is a new one. and the system which Is
IN take tho place ~ the clumsy engrossing OF
bills is TO some extent an experiment. It is Mr..
Salmon's ambition 10 vindicate the wisdom Of
The experiment 10y handling the work Of the de-
partment so carefully and accurately as to
facilitate the work Of legislation II Is believed
that he can and will win golden opinions.
One week from to-day the caucus Of the
Republican Asssmblymen will be held at Tren-
ton. and there will be many preliminary deals
10 he made to-day. i Is not thought that
anything is likely TO happen to block Mr. Joness
way to the Speakers. chair, or to prevent Mr..
Wakelee from becoming the leader or the floor
OF the House, but there are still some agree
ments to be made to the distribution OF minor
offices, and until these places have been finally
apportioned by the caucus there will be more
or less possibility Of unexpected combinations,
so that there will probably be large attendance
OF Republican Assemblymen at the State House
to-day.
The Newark Tax Board decided or Saturday
10 increase the tax assessments on the property
OF the trolley corporations on a real estate basis
The increase will have in view the value OF the
rights Of way. The mileage Of the North Jersey
Street Railway Company in Newark represents
an income or SI,4iS,SlS -, anC on this the COM
pany pays per cent to the city annually as
the price for the trolley privileges. This is not
a tax, nor equivalent for one, but is simply
compensation TO the city for the grant Of the
valuable privileges which have since been cap
italized for millions Of dollars. The Board will
also the rights Of way of the electric light
and gas companies.
The Essex County Grand Jury rightly con-
demned the practice at the county penitentiary
of manacling prisoners in dark cells and fast
ening them to rings on the walls. This mode OF
punishment had been ordered by the Board of
Freehoders. and had been In vogue ever since
the pententiary was built. and 1t is strange
that 1t has survived 80 fvr1y in an age that is
supposed to be enlightened The Grand Jury
also mildly censured the maladminlstraton Of
the police courts in Newark. In regard TO Pas
sale pollution the President declared that fur
Their delay in remedial legislation would be
criminal AS the indictment by the Grand Jury
Of Bergen County Of the East Jersey Water
Company for dverting the waters OF the Pas
sale and thus increasing the pollution is now
before the Court Of Errors and Appeals for re-
view. the Essex Grand Jury deemed II unwise to
take action at this time. The elevation Of rail-
road tracks at grade crossings was demanded,
and the allowance Of defective paving OF streets
by contractors severely censured.