Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1902-03-20


revision of laws, the first being held
on Monday and the second on Tues
day. There was an imposing array OF
merchants from all parts Of the state
present to advocate the bill, and they
advanced strong arguments in support
of the bill. They characterized the
practice of giving out trading stamps
as unfair and a detriment to honest
competition. They stated that not
dealer who was now using stamps
would be adverse to having the bill be-
come a law, as they were compelled
to pay out at least 3 per cent of their
earnings to prevent some other dealer
in their immediate locality from issu-
ing them. Some of the speakers waXed
wroth as they spoke and declared the
trading stamp scheme to be a fraud
and a swindle and the worst kind of
bunko game.
In defense the trading stamp people
sought to show that the trading stamps
were popular and that thousands Of
people of the state had been enabled
nish their homes by means of these
stamps, which added nothing to their
expenses and secured for them beauti-
full articles which otherwise they would
not purchase.
In reply to this argument the mer-
chants said that the purchasers paid
largely in the end, as some unscrupu-
lous merchants who gave out trading
stamps in large quantities advanced
their prices in some instances five
times over so as to pay them for the
stamps.
Meeker Extension Killed.
The house has passed bill which
permits West Hoboken to accept gift
of $4,000 from Andrew Carnegie for
a free public library.
An attempt was made this week to
resurrect the bill which provides for
the abolishing of spring elections in
towns, townships, boroughs and vii
lagos as an amendment to the Meekel
antispring election law which was kill
ed in the house last week, but without
avail, the motion of Mr. Holman Of
Ocean to have the vote by which the
bill was lost reconsidered having been
tabled on motion of Mr. Tennent.
1t is thought that this will settle the
matter, the members not being willing
to impose such a measure on the town
ships, boroughs and villages when
there is no urgent demand from them
for such legislation.
Senate bill No. 81, regulating the
committal of children to children's
homes, has been amended so as to pro
vide that such children shall be sent
to institutions of the religious denomi.
nations of their parents so far as is
possible. The bill will likely pass in
that form.
1t is not likely that the primary cleo
ton bill introduced early in the ses-
sion will pass, many of its provisions
being too radical a change from the
existing law The majority leaders be-
lieving that there is need for some re
forms in the matter of primary cleo
tons. a sort of substitute bill has been
introduced by Senator McCarter pro-
viding that the governor be empowered
to appoint a commission of three per-
sons to examine into the ACCESSIBILITY
of a new primary election law, the re-
port of their findings to be submitted
to the next legislature with a draft of
a bill embodying the reforms found to
be needed.
Biennial Sessions.
The constitutional amendment pro
viding for biennial sessions of the legis-
Iature which made its appearance early
in the session is quietly sleeping in a
senate committee, where it is apt to
rest until after the legislature adjourns.
when it will find it's way to the morgue
with many other matters which fail to
receive the attention of the lawmakers.
There seems to be no inclination among
the legislators to have this amendment
considered at this session, and, there
being no one behind the measure with
power enough to push it, it is more
than likely that the legislature will con
tinue TO hold annual sessions for sever
al years to come.
The senate has passed the bill pro
viding for the use of voting machines
at elections i'll this state, but there is
said to be hard road ahead of this
bill when it reaches the house, where
it is not expected that it will pass.