The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1901-02-15
TRENTON
LETTER
Senator's Work on LinCOln'S
Birthday; AsSemblymen Rest.


Amendments to Constitution.
Spring Election, Free Library
and Bills Favoring Veterans OF
Spanish American War Con-
sidered.
Trenton. N. j., Feb. 14-After fve
weeks taken up in organizing and
getting started-to say nothlng ol
confirming several of the most lmpor-
tant judicial appointments made III
vears-the Legislature this week
finally settled down to the considera-
tion of the important business before
it AS a net result each house passed
a greater number of bills than have
been passed during the entire preced-
ing weeks and advanced many tc
second reading.
But of vastly more Importance than
any of the bills considered have been
two separate concurrent resolutions
amending the State constitution, one
providing for the reorganization OF
the entire system of the higher courts
of the State the other providing for
biennial sessions of the Legislature
ard the lengthening of the terms OF
both Assemblymen and Senators, as
we'll as governor.
The first concurrent resolution was
al xryonIzc oA hIT SnnQfnT
Reed, acting for President Pitney.
It passed first reading and was laid
over until this week when it came up
on second reading Senator Pitney
himself took the floor and in an elo
quent and lucid address reviewed the
judicial system of the State from it's
incipiency and explained in detail
the exact changes provided for in the
resolutions.
These resolutions are based upon the
suggestions of the New Jersey State
Bar Association, which held a special
meeting in the Senate chamber last
November and considered theschanges
desired. They provide for an entirely
independent Court of Errors and Ap-
peals, consisting of chief judge and
four associate judges. The Court OF
Chanoery is to consist of chancellor
and such number of vice ohancellors
as may be required. The Court Of
Pardons will consist of the governor,
chancellor and attorney general.
Senator Reed pointed out that the
resolutions failed to provide for the
retaining of the present vice chancel.
lors until the new ones were named
and they were again laid over to be
so amended. Later the resolutions,
with Mr.. Reeds amendment, were
again presented to the Senate and i'm.
meGiately passed.
For Biennial Sessions.
The concurrent resolutions providing
for biennial sessions of the Legisla
ture were introduced by Senator
johnson. They propose an amend.
ment to the constitution so that not
only will the Legislature meet every
two years, but also that Senators shall
be chosen for terms OF four years and
Assemblymen for two. In order to
get the sessions started right it is fur
ther provided that Assemblymen elec-
ted in the year 1902 are to be chosen
for only one year while those in 1908
and for every second year thereafter,
are to be chosen for two years. The
Senate $, likewise, chosen in 1902 shall
be divided into two classes, one class
for five years and one for three years,
one half of the members of the Senate
as nearly as possible to be elected
every second year.
The term of the governor is also ex-
tended to four years.
1t is hardly believed that these
resolutions will pass at this term al
least. While there is considerable
sentiment favorable to the proposed
changes, yet like the proposed abolish
ment of spring elections, it has not
yet crystalized strongly enough.
However there can be little doubt but
that the resolutions are an entering
wedge, and that perhaps at the next
session of the Legislators the changes
may he welcomed.
Both the resolutions, changing the
Judiciary and providing for biennia
sessions, after passing both Houses
will have to be passed by the Legisla
ture next year and then submitted tt
popular vote to become operative.
Tax Deductions For Debt.
Senators Martin and Reed held {
spirited debate over Senate bill l5
which repeals the act of last winter
permitting deductions from tax bill
of the amount due to State or Ma
tional bank, provided the debt wa
contracted three months previously
Mr.. Reed declared that the act of las
session enabled tax shirking becaus,
it often paid taxpayer to carry ,
bank loan for three months and theI
swear off the amount on his tax bill
The only fair way, he asserted, wal
to go back to the old law requiring
property to be taxed regardless .o
bank debts.
Mr.. Martin replied that last year
hill 0f which he was the authOr