The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-03-07
CAUCUS RULES.
Republicans Back Their Com
mittees in Refusing to
Il Report Bills.
s1k ~ IT, "
Mr.. ABBETTs VIGOROUS FIGHT
Benny Opposes the Boulevard
Commissioners Bill as De-
feating the Peoples
Wishes.
ABBETTS VIGOROUS FIGHT
IsnecIal to ..The Jersey city News."l

TRENTON. March Z, 1S99.-The largest
.ndiences of the session were present last
night in both Houses. and they were
composed mainly of young ladies', VINO
filed the women's galleries and overnoW-
ed into the mems. They were most
lv the Young ladies of the Normal and
Model Schools, who had marched solemn
ly down to the State House to recelVe
their yearly, practical lesson IN parma
mentary law. 1t was their presence no
doubt which moved the Hudson delega-
ton to display their forensic ability IN
all its glittering %splendor.
The first hour of the House was taken
I'D in considering the usual resolutions OF
Mr.. Albeit and Mr.. Murphy to lave the
committees relieved of further consldera-
ton of their anti-corporation ana equaa
taxation measures. 1t was the same GU
story. King Caucus ruled supreme anu
the resolutions were voted clown every
time. Mr.. Benny denounced the course
of the committees in smothering the pliis
and said that if they were bad measures
they should be brought out and Killed on
the floor. The present course, ne occur
ed, was bad. Many members, Mr. Appett
said. considered his resolutions JOKES oul
he would assure them that tney were
made honestly and in good faith. II any
one could show him that his measures
were bad he would be the first, as MS
name was first on the roll, to vote against
them. He argued against a OF
five. representing at the most only hVe
counties. speaking for the entire stare.
The bills he sought to get out OF COM
mittee were in the interests OF the tax
navers. and it was not right to Kill them
in committee.
Mr.. Benny severely criticised the COM
mittees and condemned the Republican
marty for their opposition to the meas
ures and the refusal of the majority 10
hermit the bills to come out OF commlttee.
The people, he said, will not approve TINS
unfair treatment of these important plils-
The slogan of patriots used to be, MY
country. may it always be right; put
right or country" The slogan
Of the Republican majority Is now, MY
committee. may it always be right; put
right or ~wrong-my committee!
He was followed by Mr.. Murphy, VINO
denounced the committees action ana
begged the House to let the measures
come out. For the first time since this
controversy began Mr.. Mckee, the Repu-
lican leader, came to the defense OF the
committees. He said that the committees
had not refused to report the bills apso-
lutely. but tha they were holding them
so that they could give-a hearing on them.
There was some further discussion ana
the resolution was defeated by a strict
party vote. Mr.. Albeit gave notice that
he would renew the fight this morning.
Mr.. Benny precipitated another discus
sion with a motion to reconsider the vote
by which was passed last week the bill
giving the Governor the power to appoint
in case of vacancy in. the Hudson County
Boulevard Commissioners. He said that
since the last meeting of the House he
had aseertained why this measure was in
troduced. The single Republican member
of the Board came to Trenton with a bill,
which means that if one of the two Demo-
cratic members of the Board should die
or vacate his office, the Governor could
appoint az Republican in his place ana
thus make Republican a board, which the
people by a large majority made Demo-
cratic.
Mr.. Murphy asked Mr.. Squire. who in
Produced the bill. If the Governor was In
favor of such legislation. Mr.. Squire
rathereevade the question and Mr.. MUIR
ply said HI would answer 1t for him ana
declared the Governor had arrayed him
self against such measures. Mr.. Benny
warned the Republicans of that kind OF
legislation. He reminded them thai once
when the Republicans were in power be-
fore, they undertook to govern Jersey
City from Trenton by commissions. The
result was that the City Treasurer robbed
the city and fed, greatly increasing the
city's debt. When his money was about
gone he returned and went to State
Prison, but soon afterward the Repub-
lican party was driven out of power.
Mr.. Murphy became very humorous and
described the manner in which the Jersey
City people swelled with pride as they
thought of how they were represented In
Trenton by the twelve Democratic Assem-
blymen and Squire Of Union. N~onelaughe
heartier at this than Mr.. Squire himself.
The GUS passed these bills among
others
Provides for the establishment OF tree
public baths and gymnasiums in cities Sc
voting by a majority vote. The tax shall
be one-third of a mill on each dollar OF
assessable property. A board OF nv
members shall have such baths in charge,
the Mayor being one, and he appointing
( four more.
s EXemptS all QOnOTdply uloCAdt 6SN oOA
diers and sailors of all wars Qncluding the
Spanish-American) from poll tax and from
all other taxes upon property not exceed
ing five hundred dollars.
Authorizes fraternal societies in the uis-
erection of its officers, to deposit witt
Commissioner of Banking and Insurance
securities to be invested in same manner
as insurance Qife) companies securities
are.
Prevents contractors on public works as
signing any monies due them from sucr
municipality until the expiration OF ths
contract.
The remainder of the long windy SEES
sion was devoted to advancing bills or
Tie calendar.
Billy Thompson's Double Bal Dill IS a.
last before the House. the committee hay
ing reported it last night. 1t is accom-
panied by an important amendment wnicf
mght have been added by Thompson nim
self. 1t provides that the applicant 10
the license under the bill may apply t
the Circuit Court Judge for the license. !
that should become a law 1t will TAX
power from T~homDson's arch enemy
Judge Jessup, who has caused him all tn
rnr rHNrn Ar A TN