, 1899-02-03

"a buchanan. neWY tostor or the Tren-
ton state Gazette and Trenton corre-
spondent OF the New. York Sun. Mr..
Buchanan has served a Ions appren-
ticeship to journalism. having begun
"at the case; and through sheer merit
mounted to the proofreader's desk ana
then to the most responsible position IN
the office OF a leading New Jersey daily.
He In a man OF marked force OF charac-
ter. possessing fine executive qualities
in addition to the ability to write CO.
gently and interestingly. He Will be
missed. for awhile at all events, from
The Gazette, but the transfer to the
more placid duties of state librarian
must be for himself a great relief. Mr..
Buchanan Is a Republican. but not OF
the aggressive sort. and his selection Is
very pleasing to those who had no SYM
pathy with the horde OF now disap-
pointed Office seekers who brought about
State Librarian Hamilton's removal.
Mr.. Buchanan was a twelfth hour can
didate. but an easy winner. His term
Is for fve years.
Newspaper men, by the way are do
kng fairly well In public life In New
Jersey. The secretary of state Is Editor
W,tsts of the Paterson Press, while Ed
itor Cloke OF the New Brunswick FIRE.
DOMAIN Is one of the riparian commits
sioners. other berths OF less promi-
nence are held by newspaper men. In
the legislative organization not a few
pluma fell to the craft. The senate Is
particularly favorable in this direction.
President Reeds private secretary Is
Charles H. Bateman OF the Somerville
Unionist- Gazette, Editors Barber of
- TG~A~I.s, ~ NIarrio o,o
secretary and assistant secretary of the
senate respectively, while Edgar VIII
liams Of the Orange journal is engross-
/ ing clerk. Then there are Walter E.
Edge Of Atlantic. journal clerk: John
W. Gift Of Union. assistant journal
clerk; william II. Fischer OF Ocean.
calendar clerk, and others. And it may
be said With truth that there has never
been a more efficient set Of legislative
officials.
Stokes school Bill.
Senator Stokes bill to secure an an
nusl allowance from the general state
funds for the maintenance of the public
schools, which was commented on in
this correspondence last week. has been
attracting favorable mention in the
newspapers OF the state; In its original
form II did not az the amount of the
annual appropriation. but left 1t to be
decided by each legislature. Yesterday,
however, the senator. after thinking
the matter over. had an amendment
inserted providing that the minimum
amount to be appropriated each year
| should be 500. 600. 1t Is hoped that there
will be an opportunity to vote a much
larger sum.
In discussing the bill with your corre-
| spondent Senator Stokes said: The
general party policy should be econom-
/ zeal administration of state affairs and
| the distribution of the available funds
over and above the expenditure re-
! quired to the taxing districts to relieve
the burdens Of local taxation. Now.
how can this best be accomplished?
Among the plans heretofors adopted. in
addition TO the states expenditure for
| the care OF the insane. the blind and the
! feeble minded and the defective classes
generally, which to this extent relieves
the taxpayer Of the burden of their
maintenance, Aaoo. 900 has been added to
I the state school appropriation. and
about $500 zoe OF the revenue from the
| railroad tax has been remanded to the
several taxing districts through which
said railroads pass. This makes $4,000
J 4istz3kptsl aaAysily freM tAs stAle