The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-02-27
Bill HANGS FIRE
Both Senate and House
Late in Getting to
Work Today.
EXPECTED TO PASS TONIGHT
Many Important Issues Left
Unprovided for by the
Measure.
Especial to nrhe Jersey city News..l

Especial to THE Jersey City News's1
TRENTON, Feb. q, 1s01.-AAfter consid-
cradle debate and not little fiIibusteriny
the bill abolishing the holding of munich
pal elections in the spring, in all New Jer-
!! sey cities, was passed on second reading
III the Senate yesterday afternoon, and
Niil today reach a final passage. It will
De returned with all dispatch to the AS
sembly, and viii probably be on the desk
OF Governor Voorhees, ere nightfall
some Of the friends of the measure
Were Of the opinion yesterday that the
Governor would give the measure his ap-
pfoval and sign it at once. This, how
ever, IS not regarded as probable by the
close friends of Governor Voorhees,, VINO
stated that the measure is very objection
able to him, but that he will not put his
opinion up against that of the Repubi-
can legislators, and will simply allow the
measure to become a law without his
name appended to it.
Inc ceierity with which the measure
has been pushed along within the past
twenty-four hours has knocked endwise
some OF the plans of South Jersey poll
nclans. The primaries in Camden, sche-
duled TO be held yesterday, were postpon-
eu 70 saturday, in anticipation of the
AntlsSpring Election bill reaching a sue
u
heretofore held its election March H. the
same date as that of the Camden cleo
tion mas been making preparations for
lne contest. The Atlantic City politi-
clahS We're not even aware that the bill
would affect them. But they made the
discovery yesterday afternoon, and now
ehey are somewhat at sea over the mat
ter.
In Bordentown, which is one of the
states very small cities, peculiar situ-
dtlou exists and it will be necessary to
Pass Pass some remedial legislation for the
little Burlington county hamlet. Under
us cnarter, Bordentown has been hold
ing It's city and township elections at the
same time. The voters of the city cast
thelr ballots for the township officers at
the same time as they voted for the city
officials. The voters in the township also
exercised their right of suffrage at the
same time, but of course did not vote
on the city officials. In the township of
Bordentown there is no polling place out
side of the city. 1t will now be neees-
sary to have law enacted creating the
township as separate election district
from the city.
Both branches of Legislature were late
getting down to business this morning.
The senators were delayed by numerous
small conferences until after twelve, and
the House Republicans held caucus that
was not over until half past twelve, and
tnen the House was placed under a call
so as to expedite business.
The Senate, as soon as it was organized
took up the police protection bill. Senator
Strong of NIiddlesex wanted the bill re-
committed SO that it could be amended
ton.
Senator Hudspeth objected, believing
that it was move to kill the bill. Sena-
tor Stokes of Cumberland said he was IN
sympathy with the principle of the bill
but he held that it went too far. The bill
was subsequently recommitted. A peti-
tion from citizens of Ridgefield was offer
ed urging an appropriation for the pres
erYation of the Palisades.
The Senate in quick time passed a
number of bills among them Senate No
120 which retires National Guard officers
after ten years of service with actual
rank Another authorizes governing
bodies to issue bonds for street improve
ments for any amount, not exceeding SIS
per capita.
Assemblyman Albeit has introduced a
bill to allow trolley lines to carry freight
1t was after one o'clock before the Sem
ate began discussion on the anti-Spring
elections. Senator McCarter had the bill
returned to second reading, when he
amended it by curing some defects in re
gard to the election of Freeholders. I'M
der suspension of rules it was advanced
to third reading, and the fight began.
Senator Reed explained the bill at
length. After describing the evolutions
Of elections he grew eloquent over the
great economy in the proposed law. He
fguredi out that it would save sl50.000
and said that as a business proposition
it would be considered. He said that the
argument tndI II was Impossible TO get a
fair and free expression in the consoli-
dated elections was a reflection on the in
telligence of the voters of New Jersey.
He held that the conditions were such
thas the minority really elects when To-
cal elections are are held.
Senator Martin of Sussex spoke briefly
in opposition, stating that it was Re
publican measure and not a bill demanded
by the people. The great issue in the
measure is that it saves expenses but
that is not the reason it is pressed. He
feared that the consolidation of elections
would bring more frauds in elections.