The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1901-01-11

The sombre draping of the State
House in memory of the death of Su-
preme Court Justice Ludlow was in
marked contrast to the interior of the
building, which had been beautifully
decorated with flowers and plants by
State House Custodian Bonnell in
honor of the organization of the 125th
session Of the New Jersey Legislature,
which was accomplished Tuesday
afternoon,
The floral display in the House and
Senate Chamber was unusually fine
and there were few present who were
forgotten by their friends and con-
stituents. Owing to the death Of the
former Secretary of State, Augustus
Barber, Jr., Senator Reed, of Somer-
set, called she Upper House to order,
with Senator Cornish, OF Warren, as
temporary presiding ocffier.
1t was matter of general remark
when he administered the oath of
office as President to his former
political antagonist, Senator Pitney,
who five years ago was his successful
opponent in the Fourth Congressional
District
In accepting, President Pitney said
in part: II will not attempt to dis
guise the keen sense Of qualification
with which l accept this honor which
you have conferred upon me. To be
called to preside over the Senate OF
his native State is distinction which
any man may prize.
Without attempting to forestall
the action of the present Legislature,
a word or two may not be out OF
place. Annually at this season, the
Legislature is subjected to criticism
for what is deemed the wasting OF
time during the earlier weeks of the
session. Such criticisms proceed from
a misunderstanding of the facts.
1.-THE time consumed in carefully
preparing and scrutinizing proposed
measures of legislation is at least as
fruitful of benefit to the State as the
smaller portion of time which is re-
uuired for the actual passage OF
necessary bills.
.sBy the constitution it is provided
that once in five years amendents to
the organic law may be submitted to
the people for their approval, having
first been approved by two successive
Legislatures The latest amendments
having been adopted by the Legisla-
lures of 1896 and 1897, and approved
by the people in the latter year, the
time is ripe for action by the present
Legislature, if further amendms snts
seem to be required.
"Our higher courts are now sub
stantially as they were formed upon
the adoption of the present constitu-
tion in the year 1874. The only
difference is an increase in the num-
ber of Judges. At that time the
volume of business was not sufficient
to necessitate the creation of court
devoted wholly o appeal cases. The
reports show that during the first
fifteen wears of its existence the COURT
of Errors and Appeals disposed of only
a little more than 200 cases, an average
of less than fourteen per annum: AZ
the present time the business OF the
same court is multiplied nearly ten
fold. and the business of the Supreme
OOurG anu GOuIb VI Oh0hSOAy tANS 49,
creased in something like the same
proportion.
"With our rapid increase in popula-
tion and still more rapid increase IN
manufacturing and commercial in
terests, the burdens and responsible
ties of our courts Will continue TO
grow In the respect indicated, our
judicial system is already inadequate
to the demands of the day An in
dependent Court of Appeals has be-
come a necessity.
The new Senators who were inducted
into Office were Senators Hand, OF
Cape May; Haines, of Burlington;
Strong, of Middlesex; Mckee. of Pas
sale Gebhardt, Of Hunterdon; Wake,
alec, OF Bergen, and Hudspeth, OF
Hudson, and Senator Martin OF Sussex,
The Democrats elected Senator Mar
tinas their leader and the RepuDli-
cans, Senator Reed, OF Somerset