The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-03-26
MEEKER LAW.
Justice Depue Will Write
the Opinion Of the Court
in the Case.
VOORHEES, IS PLEASED
TIE Highest Tribunal Agreed
With Him on the Consti-
tutionality of the Act.
VOORHEES, rs PLEASED
Especial to ..The Jersey city News"1

TRENTON, March e. 1901.-It did not
take the Court of Errors and Appeals
very long yesterday to dispose of the case
brought to test the constitutionality of
the Meeker law abolishing spring elec-
tions, as told in 'The Jersey City News
yesterday. The decision had been dis
counted by the questions which the judges
asked at the Argument and outside of
John Nugent, counsel of the city
of Elizabeth, and few State
House officials, no one was in
the court room. 1t is evident that the
judges had pretty well made up their
minds last Monday at the conclusion of
the argument, for yesterdays conference
was very brief. The court got together
about 1850 and at 11:10 they took their
were present except Judge Kreuger, who
is in Europe.
AS soon as the Court was seated the
Chancellor announced that the Court
would take up the case of Boorum VS..
Connolly.
Chancellor Magic did not vote first as
he usually does. Instead he called The
name of Chief Justice Depue who re-
sponded in an emphatic voice: II vote to
affirm the decision of the Supreme
Court
TEen in turn the following judges voted
to affirm: Justices Van Syckel, Dixon.
Garrison, Gummere, Collins, Fort, Hen
erickson, Chancellor Magic, Lay Judges
Adams. Vredenburg and Voorhees,.
Lay Judge Bogert announced that he
did not sit on the case, while Lay Judge
Nroom replied, II vote to reverse"
Judge Vroom is the most recently ap-
pointed lay judge of the court, and is a
Democrat.
The Chancellor announced the result,
saying:-
The decision of the Supreme Court is
affirmed. twelve judges voting to affirm
and one to reverse
The case of Hughes against Waning.
City Clerk of Elizabeth, was next taken
up and disposed of, in the same manner
as the Newark case, to which it was ex-
actly similar
The Judges voted in the same manner
as in the Newark case.
The Chancellor announced that the
Chief Justice will prepare and file the
opinion in the case very soon.
The news from the court room was car
ried to Governor Voorhees, by Assembly
man Meeker.
The Governor and Senator Stokes were
in the Executive chamber, and while both
Congratulated the Union county author of
the bill, it was noticeable that there was
not much warmth in the remarks of the
Senator from Cumberland.
What do you think of the decision?'
the Governor was asked.
I'm legal or political way?' came the
query.
Either, or BOTH
oil off aio1I T 41nn4 irly
the decision is In line with the decisions
of the court in similar matters of late"
answered the Executive. 81 gave the
act most careful and prayerful considera-
tion when it came to me, and 1 did not
see how. in the light of the recent deci-
sions in matters of similar character, the
court could hold otherwise than that
the Meeker act was constitutional.
Naturally, I am pleased that the decision
of the court confirms my judgment in
this case.
What have you to say about it politi-
cally?'
Not a word" replied the Governor.
81 would prefer that some other fellow
would say what is to be said in thai
direction"
Assemblyman Meeker was seen later in
regard to the case.
Its all right, and just what I expect
ed said the big man from Union. II
am well pleased to find the bill is consti-
tutional I did not have the slightest
doubt as to it's validity.
Public opinion has been growing
stronger every day in the direct way of
simplifying the election system of this
State. believe it will be beneficial to the
people. 1t will surely benefit the Repub-
lican party, and think it will also bens-
fit the Democratic party. Many favored
the passage of the supplemental bill,
taking in townships and other munich
palities. There was not time enough to
give that bill consideration, however.
speak advisedly on this point, because
received many requests to introduce the
supplemental bill. 1t is all bosh to say
the merger bill was introduced at the be-
hest of political bosses. I introduced it
on my own responsibility entirely, though
with knowledge of the desires of the tar
dy leaders,
The Chief Justice was asked when he
will file the opinion and if he was al
liberty to disclose the points upon which
the decision was reached.
II will prepare and file the opinion with
out delay" he said sI did not think to
have it completed this week. / am not al
liberty to discuss the proceedings of the
conference"
Justice Fort was equally reticent. He
said: IT cannot say anything in advance
of the filing of the opinion of the Chiel
Justice Judge Vroom will write dis
senting opinion, in which, he announced
today, he will explain his ground for be
lieving the act unconstitutional.
II think the fact that voted to reverse
the Supreme Court decision is plain evi
dence." he said, that I do not believe
the decision in Herman VS.. Guttenburf
comes within this case. l shall write al
explanatory opinion, in which / shall SCI
forth my views of the case. am very
positive in my convictions, 1 am sorry thu
court was so much at variance with me.
It is understood that Judge Vroom. il
his opinion, will contend that the uncon
stitutionality of the Meeker act is made
clear by the opinion in the case of Wan