The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-03-23
HORSE PLAY.
Young Lady Hurt During
Closing Hours of the
Legislature.
HONORING THE SPEAKER
Mr.. Marks's Eloquent Speech
in Presenting a Watch
to Mr.. Bradley.
Especial to ..The Jersey city News."l

Especial to ''The Jersey City News"l
TRENTON, March %. 19Ol-There is
much difference of opinion as to whether
the closing scenes of the 126th Legislature,
which died a violent death about one
o'clock this morning, were any more dis
graceful than those which have marked
the dying hours of each session for many
years. Some say they were more so,
while others declare that the event was
very tame indeed. Be that as it may,
it was the first time that an innocent
spectator has been so severely injured as
was the daughter-in-law of Assemblyman
Moore of Salem, who while watching the
circus from the ladies' gallery was struck
on the head with flying book and knock
ed unconscious. She was carried into the
Bill Supervisors room where she was
quickly revived. She refused to go to her
hotel and pluckily returned to her seat
in the gallery where she remained until
the Assembly marched over to the Senate
Chamber to be formally sent home.
The first sure signs of final adjournment
were manifest early in the afternoon
when the pages began running between
the chambers and the Custodian's office
with securely tied bundles of various
sizes. These contained the contents of
the members desks, which Custodian Bon
nell kindly expresses home for the mem
bers. The House took a recess at 8
o'clock and when it reconvened Mauri .e
Marks, the leader of the minority walked
up to the Speakers desk and said
Mr. Speaker-Twenty-fou hours
from now and this. the first Legisla-
ture of the State q New Jersey of
the Twentieth Century, will be thing
Of hn oct m ifS ontG Wi
property of the peorse of this great
Commonwealth, who always estimate
such body by the ancient maxim;
by their works shall ye know them
In these closing moments it has
been customary, from time immemor-
ial, for the leader of the minority to
endeavor to crystalline into words the
sentiments which fill the hearts of the
members towards their presiding Off
cer-and good fortune has bestowed
upon me the great privilege OF being
the bearer of that message to you on
this occasion.
In the years that you were a floor
member of the body, you SO conducted
yourself as to win the respect and
esteem of your fellow members. To-
day, as Speaker, you have not only
their respect and esteem, but your
course has been such that there IS not
a member. clerk or page within these
walls who does not love and revere
you; your private life has been guar
antee for the virtue and probity which
has marked your public career, and
the words of the bard peculiarly de-
fine your character, THAT your lie
is gentle. and the elements SO mixed
in you, that Nature might stand up
before the whole world and say,
This is a man.
Smiles are sometimes expressed in
our estimate of a man, and We're TO
express the SinlileS that those or us
who have been here three terms feel
for you, I would say that you have
been as fair as Watkins, as honest as
Jones, and as sincere as the sacred
love of a mother for her offspring
and this last most unusual quahty IS
what endears you most to US ana
causes our heartfelt expressions OF
loving friendship to go out to you, and
as a memento of that friendship,
have the distinguished honor, Mr..
IS Speaker, to present to you these tok-
ems on behalf Of your associates In
this Assembly.
ing between US all may eyer be as
firmly welded together as the links OF
this chain and that every second IN
your earthly existence, ticked off by
this timepiece, may be fraught with
joy and gladness, health and happl-
ness to yourself and your dearly pc
loved ones, and when in years to come
your childrens children shall be fond
ly caressing your venerable brow, IN
the evening of your days, we trust that
your thoughts may sometimes revert
to this scene, and there may pc
pleasant recollection of us, your
friends and well wishers in this House
of Assembly.
Mr.. Speaker, We all must shortly say
farewell
When we shall meet again, no one can
tell.
We may not soon again address you,
But we all do fervently pray
William j. Bradley, God bless you.
Mr.. Marks then handed the Speaker {
morocco case containing a magnifcen
gold watch, fob and diamond pendant.
Mr.. Bradley replied feelingly, thanking
the members for the courteous manner II
which they had treated him during th'
session and expressing his gratitude fo
sthe forbearance of the minority.
Frank Tantum, sergeant alarms, ant
George Powell, the bill clerk, also re
ceived gold watches, and the two assist
ant sergeant-at-arms were well cane'
with gold headed walking sticks. Th'
House then passed a number of bills ant
took recess for dinner. At eight o'clocl
they met again and then began wha
some people call the fun.
In former years when the Legislator,
got through it's work it used to go hom
with something like decorum, leaving th
Governor to examine and pass upon bill
at his leisure. But when he became Gov
ernor Foster Voorhees, established rul
that he would not consider measur
after the session had adjourned So whel
they finish their work the legislators hav
TO kill the best they can the weary hour
the Governor examined the passed bill
and that is when they break loose.
Someone flung book at someone els
and soon the air was thick with annua
bills, the reports of the various de
partments, waste baskets and almos
everything else except the desks, chair
and heavy inkstands. A group gathere
about the speakers desk and began t
sing. They did really very well and tn
crowded galleries were enjoying thei
music, when someone went up into tn
ladies gallery and rained down upon ther
a shower of books and papers.
Immediately the singers turned an
hurled back the first thing which cam
to their hands, 1t was in this Shove
that Mrs. Moore was injured. A copy Q
the State Treasurer's report, which mus
weigh three or four pounds struck her o
the head and she was down and out'' a
one of the pages with prize ring aspira
tions expressed.
Early in the evening all the members {
both parties met in the Speakers roor
and formed what they called the Twer
tieth Century Club whose chief objec
seems to be TO get together once yea
and have good time. The meetin