The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-01-09
MODEST JONES
He Surprised the Assembly
men By His Unassum-
ing Speech.
SENATE AND HOUSE COMMITTEES
Johnson Is President No
Brass Bands at the Open
ing of Legislature.
SENATE AND HOUSE COMMITTEES
ing of Legislature.
Especial to ..rhe Jersey city News.''l

to indicate that it was the day of the
organization of the Legislature. There
were few strangers in town and visiting
delegations with brass bands and howling,
cheering, badge-b bedecked marchers were
entirely lacking The members began TO
straggle into town by the early trains and
1t was noon before there was any notice
able member at the State House.
The delightful odor of rare flowers filled
both chambers this afternoon when the
hour for organization arrived. Every
member had been remembered by his con-
stituents and every desk bore floral de-
sign more or less elaborate. The Demo-
cratic members from Hudson were not
forgotten, and some of them were entirely
hidden from view by the masses of beau
tiful flowers in front of them. The arch
back of the Speakers and President
desks was elaborately decorated with
palms and potted plants. In the House
there was one sombre spot in this bright
prospect and that was the desk in Bergen
county section which was to have been
occupied by John L. c. Graves. who died
soon after his election. This was draped
in black and will remain so during the
session.
Promptly at three O'clock Senator Pit
ney called the Senate together and read
the Secretary of States certificate as to
who were holdover and new Senators. The
new men were then sworn in. The cleo
ton of President was then taken up
The Republicans named Senator Johnson
ara Van C1eef of Afiddlesex was named
by the Democrats. Senator Johnson was
elected and in taking the chair said
.sSenators-In assuming the duties Of
presiding officer of the Senate thank
You sincerely for the honor conferred and
Tor the confidence implied by my sslec-
tion for this position. An experience OF
four years on the fioor of this house mas
brought me- into most agreeable relation
with my fellow Senators, whom have
learned 10 esteem and respect. lraist
that retaining your confidence, may De
able u maintain ths dignity of the Office
and discharge its duties with the Success
achieved By my distinguished predsees-
sOrs in this chair. The application OF inc
rules OF parliamentary law is no rniIn-
pottaHt part of legislation. and upon the
1s-irness and accuracy with whieh those
IulcS are applisd depends in large mea-
sure the success of legislative session.
IN my endeavor to preside over your de-
llgerasions with fairness. l bespeak your
friendly cooperation and support
II 40 not consider it necessary on this
occasion TO suggest a programme for
legisia i've action during the ensuing ses-
SION. There are, however, two subjects
that nay without impropriety be brought
to your notice.
ttln order to conform to the require
TneTfiS of the act of the last Legislature,
which aboIshes the system of engrossing
bills heretofore practiced, 1T will be neces-
sary to adopt Immediately new rules bear
ing en- this subject.
'sThe act in question provides that bills
and resolutions requiring the approval OF
the Governor, shall hereafter be preserved
by the art of printing, and not by belng
copied or transcribed by the pen, and THAI
il Shall be the duty of each house of the
Legislature to provide by rule for the
r,.zrk f.1f.r hing 'han
the act.
"A joint committee of the two Houses
was appointed at the last session, with
instructions to prepare rules in accord
ance with the provisions of this act and
to report to the present session OF the
Legislature. This committee has given
the matter careful attention, and a series
of rules covering the subject will be pre-
sented for your consideration. The prac-
tice of using printed bills instead OF en-
crossed bills on their final passage was
adopted in England fifty years ago, and
also prevails in a number OF the American
States. 1t was followed in our Legislature W
on several occasions, especially at the
time of the adoption of the revision OF
the statutes in 1876. and more recently in
the consideration of the various reWlsions
by the Legislatures of 1898 and 1899
"a permanent department has been
created by law, by the appointment OF
supervisor of bills. whose duty it shall be
to see that all bills and joint resolutions
are properly prepared and printed. 1t is
believed that many advantages will result
greater accuracy and freedom from the
possibility of unwarranted changes in
bills during their successive stages. Doubt
less the rules will require that all amend
naentS must be printed before final action
is had thereon, and while this requirement
may tend to delay bill somewhat in its
several readings, yet such delay Should
be conducive to a more deliberate and
satisfactory consideration OF measures
than we have been accustomed to give,
especially during the last days OF the
aAithough the joint committee has
studied carefully the various questions
is not unlikely that in actual practice some
additions to or notifications OF the rules
to be adopted at this time will be neces-
sary, but apprehend no great dimcuity
in the satisfactory execution of the law.
ST desire to direct attention 70 the
necessity of such additions or alterations
to this part of the State House. as VIII
afford greater accommodations for the
Senate and other State departments. Ine
great increase in the public business N
almost every direction mas caused
crowded condition of the offices III the
State House, which demands early reliet.
There are several departments without
pelled to occupy the Assembly committee
rooms in default of better accommoda-
tions. / think the experience OF every
Senator here is, that the facilities Tor
transacting the business of the Senate are
utterly Inadequate. We have no commit
tee rooms worthy of the name. The com
or coat rooms, and are inconvendent and
unsuitable for the transaction OF commit
tee business. There is an urgent neces-
sity for such additions to this chamber as
will afford a sufficient number of suitable
rooms where committees may hold pub
lie hearings, or may confer privately II
they desire, and supplied with proper
desks and conveniences for the use or
Senator's where they may have an oppor-
tunity to work with reasonable freedom
from interruption.
ssThe last Legislature authorized the
State House Commission to procure, plans
for providing suitable committee rooms
for the use of the Senate and for eniarg-
fng such portions of the Capitol as may
be necessary for the proper transaction
of the public business
I'VE have a beautiful Assembly Cham
Der, equipped with all necessary facilities,
and of which we are justly proud. and
there is no reason why equal faci tiles
should not be accorded to the Senate.
believe we are fully warranted In making
the required outlay. and hope that at an
early day the necessary authority may be
given for this work, and that the next
Senate, converting as it will in the first
month of the new century, may meet In a
,ew and commodious chamber, better
sdapted than this is for the proper con-
sSucf Of the business OF legislation.
II again desire to state my apprec alton
Of the high honor conferred upon me, and
to express the hope and confident expee-