New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-07
NEW-JERSEY NEWS.

Probably the only way to arrive at the cor
rect opinion of New-Jersey as to merging the
spring and fall elections would be to submit the
matter TO popular vote, If that were practical
Die Reports from the several parts OF the State
every day increase the belief that the division
OF public sentiment on this question is explicit
and pronounced. Even in the same localities
there is often a decided conflict Of opinion
among men whose views are entitled to respect.
1t follows, therefore. that If the measure is not
likely to be pushed in the Legislature this year.
as is alleged by some OF its most earnest sup
porters it is not improbable that it will return
to vex several Legislatures to with the
regularity of the two-cent ferry bill, the
derground trolley wire bill and other measures
which have arrived at the distinction Of old in
habitants in the legislative halls.
The prophecy attributed to Representative
William D. DAILY that the electoral vote Of New
Jersey this year will be cast for William ].
Bryan. although it has been as industriously
passed around the State as Mr.. Bryan himself.
has not so far been sufficiently well Endorsed to
entitle it to the character OF good commercial
paper. Two reasons especially prevent the state
ment Of Mr. DAILY from being accepted as the
wisdom Of a political seer of established repu-
tation, one of which is that the horoscope is con-
fined TO Jersey City and Hoboken. and the other
that his Bryan enthusiasm is a of polit-
teal measles which resolutely refuses TO strike in.
The bill introduced by Senator McCarter
which provides fine of $50 for any dealer who
delivers less than 1000 pounds as a net ton of
coal or less than 2,240 pounds as a gross ton
is regarded by some old residents of Trenton as
a strategic move TO flank any further aggres-
sons by what are popularity known there
Major Hurleys mice" 1t will be recalled that
some five years ago these mischevous little
dents played a conspicuous part in preventing
the cheeseparng Republicans, as they
sometimes called, from ascertainng, not how
many tons of coal the State capital had paid for
but how many tons it had actually consumed
They were probably the most wonderful and
rapacious mice that coal office ever came in
contact with, wonderful and rapacious, in
fact, that William H. Corbin. counsel for the
State. prompted remark that the wonder
was that they had not eaten up the coal, In
deed, there a suspicion prevalent that if
they had been permitted to continue their depre-
dations they would have tackled the coal when
the supply of the vouchers representing it gave
out in the natural course of things, it was
Mr.. Corbins opinion, they were bound, at the
then current rate of consumption, to do 1t is
regarded as highly proper. therefore. that Sena-
tor McCarter should advocate a bill which prom
other New-Jersey mice. from taking to coal
vouchers as a steady diet. II is even suggested
that motion to make the title of the bill AN
act for public protection against mice" wy1ld
unanimously prevail
The bill of Assemblyman Wakelee which
abridges the power of the directors of corpora
tions and enables the stockholders to take a
larger hand in the conduct of their business af-
fairs Is causing much favorable comment. OPP
position TO the measure is expected. of course;
but ii is thought by some old heads in politics
as wen in business that IT is the sort of bill
for which opposition develops increased strength.
Certainly there have been instances where such
law would have prevented some bad breaks
and protected stockholders who had no source
Of adequate redress. Mr. wakelee's bill is now
in committee, where the opponents well as
the supporters of it will be cheerfuIly heard