The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1899-03-24
THE LEGISLATURE.
TRENTON, March %, 1899.

lRENIONs udICH lCO0.
By the time this letter reaches all the
subscribers of the CHRONICLE the 123rd
session of the New Jersey Legislature
will have become a historical reminis-
cence.
At this writing everything has
"hurry up air about it and there is a
jolly chase between the two Houses as
to which will rush through business so
as to be the first to reach a condition
that will bring about sine die adjourn
ment. The Legislature winds up on
the eleventh week, which is about the
average for session.
The Morris county delegation was, by
reason of industry and prominence, one
of the strongest in the House. In point
of numbers it did not compare with
those representing first and second class
counties; but it was the strongest of any
from the small counties. Senator
Pitney was one of the leaders and at
times the actual leader ON the floor of
the Senate, standing conspicuously
amoug the brilliant leaders of that body
Senators William NJ johnson of B Bergen,
Stokes of cumberland, Cross of Union,
and r eed Of Somerset. He introduced
twenty-six bills of more or less i'm
portance: that mum Der was only exceed
ed by the record of the Republican
leader, William NJ Johnson, VINO has
thirty bills to his credit.
The capacity for work shown by the
Senator from Morris astonished many
who watched him, but his Congressional
training was of service to him.
Senator M ;D9rmott came into the
Senate widely advertised as a talker,
fighter and all around legislative athlete,
but Senator Pitney had run against
heavier men than the muchly-praised
prophet and seer of the Hudson Dsmoc
racy. AS chairman OF the Committee
on the Revision of Laws, he had vast
amount of work to transact. He attend
ed to it so faithfully, and with special
uCblIC W 10 Courteous, tLdt WuCu OCLd-
tor Martin of Sussex accused him of
dilatory practices in connection with
the five per cent. bill, he was persistent
not only in denying the impeachment,
but IN demonstrating to the satisfaction
Of the entire Senate that he had con-
sistently done his duty.
cso..ka.. D;k,,o,, alec oo~1o1 -, kl,o
Judiciary Committee, which is one of
great responsibility.
In the House Messrs. Poole and Welsh,
serving their second term, were kept
constantly on the hustle because of the
prominent committees on which they
served. They did not introduce many
bills. it is true, but they rendered their
colleagues excellent service in COM
mittee.
Mr.. Poole was the chairman of the
Committee on Railroads and Canals,
which is considered about the most i'm
portant of all the House committees. This
committee was often and bitterly assailed
by the Democratic minority, because
much of the useless legislation introduc,
ed by the Democrats was held down To
let it get out on the floor would have had
the effect of blocking legislation and
making political capital for the youth
full Democrats, most of whom want to
be returned. Mr. Poole was several
times forced to defend himself ON the
floor of the House, and he did it with
much force and dignity. He also served
on the Committee on Labor and In
dustries, and on the Committee on State
Hospitals.
Assemblyman Welsh was kept con-
tinuously busy on the Joint Committee
on Appropriations This Committee
has almost continuous sessions and on
account of the very heavy demands
made for extraordinary appropriations
this year its work was harder than
ever.
Considerable business sagacity and
penetration is needed by the members of
this committee, and Mr., Welsh was
complimeDted by his colleagues for the
work he did. He was chairman of the
Committee ON Claims and Revolutionary
Pensions and an active member of the
Committee on Miscellaneous Business,
as we'll as the Joint Committee on the
Industrial School for Girls, which latter
was a busy committee on account of the
Improvements that are to be made in
this institution.
Mr.. Poole was SO busy in the COM
mittee room that Assemblyman Welsh
looked after Senator Pitney's bills as
they came into the House. He made
short speeches supporting the bills which
gave Dover two Freeholders. and spoke
for other measures of interest to Morris
town and county,