New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-19

siderable discussion Coming from the Hudson
Senator this proposition may be regarded as an
attempt to make political capital for the Demo-
cratic party, but It may be a mistake to jump at
any such conclusion before looking into the con-
ditions First and foremost comes the question
as to the legal right TO submit to the voters Oh
the State any constitutional amendment except
in the manner specified by the Constitution itsel1.
Amendments to the Constitution were voted
on by the people at a special election held in
September 1897. They were prepared and pre-
sented to the voters in conformity with the regu-
latlon which appears In the Constitution under
the head Of Amendments:
ANY specific amendment or amendments to
the Constitution may be proposed In the senate
or General Assembly. and II the same shall be
agreed TO by a majority Of the members elected
to each Of the two houses. And II In the
Legislature next chosen aforesaid, such pro-
posed amendment or amendments. or any or
them shall be agreed to by majority OF all the
members elected TO each house. then 1t shall De
the duty Of the Legislature to submit such pro-
posed amendment or amendments. or such of
them as may have been agreed to as AFORESAID
by the Legislature to the people. But no
amendment or amendments shall be submitted
to the people by the Legislature oftener than
once in five years"
Lawyers are not agreed as to whether or not
that excludes the consideration of amendments
presented in any other way. Inquiry made by
The Tribune last year brought out the fact that
the leading members OF the legal profession In
New Jersey are pretty evenly divided on the
question. Senator McDermott's resolution Will
probably have the effect OF reopening the con-
troversy.
Tom" Flynn was around the State House on
Tuesday inspecting the scenes Of his former
glory. The ex-Speaker has tired OF Pniladei"
phia. and has about concluded to move back to
Paterson. He expects that there will be con-
siderable business for the Third House" In
Trenton this session. Gas bills, fight between
the Standard OIL and the United States Pipe
Line companies and legislation for the water
CORPORATIONS are expected to make things lively.
Legislation or no legislation. the day Of dollar
gas seems to be coming with great rapidly In
Newark the gas officials promise that the rate
will he down to dollar in 1900 No doubt the
agitation in the newspapers and the threat OF
legislative interference have suggested to the
various companies the advisability of making
voluntary concessions with the view Of stilling
public clamor.
49,
A wear or so ago Paterson adopted an intelli-
gent and comprehensive plan Of street I'M
provements under which the various sections
were to be taken up in turn, beginning in the
heart Of the city and branching outward That
method does not however appeal to the average
Alderman, who wants TO get all that he can for
his own ward, regardless OF what the effect may
be on the city at large. number OF the Alder
men put their heads together and the result Is
an ordinance now pending which provides for
patchwork paving--a bit in this ward and Dill
in this, regardless OF continuity or coherency
II that scheme goes through Paterson will soon
present a unique appearance, with It's alera-
tons Of cobble. asphalt. and goodness knows
what all on the same street Maybe the sensi-
HE people OF the town will stop the foolishness
The trading stamp ghost will not down; A bin
has been prepared which will be introduced In
the Legislature shortly. prohibiting It's, use in the
tutonal lines. and the features to which Gov
Voorhees, objected last spring have been en-
become law-(Plainfeld Courier-News.
Acting Governor Voorhees, as he then
did not sign the Anti-Trading Stamp bill last
year chiefly because II virtually conf1scated the
property OF those who had innocenty invested In
the stamps One concern alone in New-Jersey
held about 100000 worth. which had been
bought in good faith. and no time was allowed
for getting rid Of the stamps For refusing 10
sign that measure the Grocers' Association CO.
operated with the Democratic machine In doing
everything possible to beat Mr.. voorhees, at the
polls The new Governor Is not, however, re-
vengefu man. and the hostile attitude Of the
grocers during the last campaign won't infu-
ence him in dealing with legislative acts
The trading stamp business has a perncious
tba ants RI
stand together and refuse to handle the stamps
no legislation would be necessary for their pro-
lection.
Ever since Inauguration dinners began In
Trenton they have been the cause Of heartburn
ing and dissatisfaction, and the one Of this
week is no exception There is no fixed rule
governing the issuance OF invitations, and. con-
seauently IL is impossible 10 avoid discomfort
and complaint. For instance. there were fifty
one invitations issued for last Tuesdays din
ner All the ew-Jersey congressman all the
heads OF the State departments and number
of outsiders the list. but only ten men,
bers Of the State Legislature, although all the
proceedings supposed to be under the d.
rection Of this body and it will have to approve
the bills. Perhaps the most notable omission
was that Of Senator Johnson, leader Of the ma
iorlty in the Senate He doesn't care anything
about it, nor has he mentioned 1t 10 anybody.
unasked but there are other Senators and AS
semblymen who seem to think that they have
a serious grievance. Just as likely as not. how
ever. the cold. Unconditional public will refuse to
display any feeling on the subject.
Last year The Tribune published a f1stful OF
sweet verses from Silas Dewey Drake-theres
only one in New-Jersey-n which he scarhed
THE Wooden Man" the embodiment Of all
that is small. stupid and unprogressive in
community. "Si' has brought the subject up to
date in few lines OF such exquisite beauty and
finish as to recall memories Of Mr.. Sas Wegg.