Gloucester County Democrat., 1900-02-15

Attorney General Griggs, the Life
long Friend of the Dead Statesman,
to Deliver the MISUNDERSTANDING
Matters.
Especial Correspondence
TRENTON, Feb. 14.-Because of Lin
coins birthday anniversary on Monday
there was no legislative session on the
evening of that day, but the first
Wednesday session of the present leg
islature was held today. The lawmak
ers made an honest effort to get down
to work, and three busy sessions were
held this week, at which quite little
business was transacted, although but
small progress was made in the matter
of passing laws. The celebration of
the Hobart memorial next week occu-
pies not little of the time and atten-
tion of the solons, and it is not likely
that much actual work will be done
until that very important affair is over
with.
1t is said to be too early to consider
the matter of final adjournment, but it
is being talked of nevertheless. Last
years session was II weeks long, the
adjournment sine die occurring on
March "a 1t does not seem likely just
now that the present session will be
any shorter. President Johnson of the
senate said yesterday that he was rea-
sonably certain the legislature would
adjourn before April l, but was unable
to say anything further in the matter.
Senator Pitney, the Republican leader
in the upper house, said that the Ho-
bart memorial exercises would delay
the final adjournment at least three
weeks from the time the work of the
legislature could be wound up.
The preparations for the Hobart me-
mortal ceremony are completed, and
the committee in charge has announc-
ed that the invitations would be ready
for distribution today. Each senator
is to be given five invitations, each
member of the assembly three and
each state officer one. DIR. Magee of
Paterson, pastor of the church former
Iy attended by the vice president, will
offer the opening prayer The exer-
cises will commence at 2:30 p. m.
Unusual interest is centered in this
celebration, which promises to be an
oo+op+o+;o,,S raooe;or Tho Io+o x,iao
president was immensely popular here
his years of service in the assembly
and senate having first won for him his
spurs in political life. Attorney Gen
eral and former Governor Griggs was
also a senator in the New Jersey legis-
lature. A warm personal friend and
admirer of the late vice president,
there is no doubt that the attorney
generals eulogium of his dead friend
will be the effort of his life. Attorney
General Griggs has not appeared in
this city since he nominated Foster NJ
Voorhees, as a candidate for guberna-
torial honors. He is an orator of the
first magnitude, and the assembly
chamber will scarcely be large enough
to accommodate the crowds who will
seek admission next Wednesday.
StatehOuse improvements.
Perhaps the most important event of
the week was the submission to the
two houses of the report of the state
house commission appointed year ago
to secure plans and to ascertain the
probable cost for the proposed improve
ments to the statehouse. This commits
sion comprises the governor, state
treasurer and state comptroller. The
plans submitted provide for the demoli-
tion of the present senate building and
the erection on its site of new wing,
| to be in keeping with the architecture
of the assembly building, the senate
wing being the old part of the state
house. 1t is to be of brick, with stone
trimmings. The interior finish will be
of marble and quartered oak. Besides
a senate chamber, modern in its equip
ment, the new wing is to include COM
mittee rooms offices for the president,
sergeant-at-arms, bill clerk, supervisor
Of bills, secretary and the clerks. In
the upper part of the building will be
located branch of the supreme court
! and the state board of health. The
structure is to be three stories high, the
senate chamber to have the roof for its
ceiling. ClOakrooms, retiring rooms, a
Iavatory and public toilets are also
provided for. There is also to be an ad-
dition to the administration building, to
be three stories in height, with base
ment and subbaSement. In this build
ing will be located the pumprOom, the
engine room, electricians room, en-
gineer's room and the document clerks
Office, together with 20 new offices and
vaults. The estimated cost is as fol
lows: New senate building, $14S,000;
addition to administration building,
$4,000; alterations and extension to
the boiler house provided in the plans,
$4,000; new heating and lighting plan,
including ventilation of the new senate
chamber, $4,000; total, $2S9,000.
]. R. Lavake of Cumberland county
yesterday resigned his position as door
keeper of the senate, which pays $3.50,
because it conficted with another posi-
ton he holds. Senator Stokes named
John A. Den of Bridgeton to fill the
vacancy.
Nominations by the Governor.
Governor Voorhees, sent the follow
ing nominations to the senate yester-
day:
For judge of the circuit court, Fran
els j. Swayze of Essex, to fill vacancy
caused by the expiration of Judge
Child's term.
For managers of the Home For Fee
bic Minded Women, Benjamin F. Lee.
Mercer, reappointment; Barton F.
Thorn, Burlington; Zebina K. Pang-
born, Hudson. The nomination Of Mr..
Thorn was confirmed He is a former
state senator. The others were refer
red under the rules.
When the assembly concurrent reso-
luton on the death of former Attorney
General John p Stockton came up in
the senate for adoption yesterday Mr..
McDermott read touching tribute to
the memory of the deceased, with
whom he had been associated as a
state official for ten years. AS he fin
ished Mr.. McDermott was visibly af-