New-York tribune., 1902-02-25
NEWJERSEY NEWS.
MINISTERS OPPOSE BILL.
MITTEE AGAINST ATLANTIC CITY
RELIEF MEASURE.

Trenton. N. J.. Feb "a (specIaD.-Not sine. the
days of the notorious racetrack Iegislature has
there been much interest manifested in lezfsIa-
tion by the churches of the State as was shown
here this afternoon, when about fifty clergymea
from several parts of the State came to be
heard BY the Senate Committee Revision Of the
Laws-SenatOrs wakelee. Reed and Gebhardt-in
opposition TO Senate bill No. A. This bill. as told
In The Tribune a few days ago. practically re-
peals two sections of the general law. which leave
to the courts the punishment for selling liquor on
Sundays and election days. and provides that
municipalities may fix the punishment for sucn
crimes by ordinance. The measure intro
duced by Senator Lee. of Atlantic County and is
said to be for the relief of Atlantic City.
The Rev. DR. Marshall. of Trenton, said that the
bill evidently had been drawn in the Of the
criminal class. and If passed would with the
opposition OF the best citizens of the State. The
Rev Mr. Snyder. of New Brunswick quoted from
decisions by justices Of the Supreme Court to sus-
tain the sections of the act which Senator Lees
bill Is designed TO repeal. The Rev. Mr.. Howard
OF Trenton said that fOrty-dve churches in New
Jersey were present by representatives oppose
the passage Of the proposed bill The Rev Mr.
McCauley OF the Ministerial Union, read an opin-
ion OF ex-JudCe Lansing. OF Mercer County in
which 1t declared that the bill vicious in
it's character and clearly unconstitutional Ex-
Judge Lansing. who came late - the meeting.
replying to a question asked by Senator Reed
to whether the bill under consideration did not
contain local option feature. said that the bill
did nothing under heaven but make distinction
between citizens in different parts OF the State
and was therefore unfair ard unjust. The Rev
MIR. Haro, of Hudson County. spoke for the New
Jersey Baptist Union and for the Christian En-
deavor Society in opposition to the bin
The Rev Mr.. Gravatt OF Atlantic City appealed
the committee TO protect good name and
good character vf that city. and pass bfH
which would add to the commission OF crime there
One hundred of the best busincs- n.en OF Atlantic
city he said, had sigred a protest against the
mas of hfs NJ IL
frequently appauded. The Rev. Mr.. I.andon pres
of the BordentOwn Military School predicted
that If this bill passed the Republican party
which consented to it's passage would be defeated
at the polls the Democratic party was defeated
a few years ago because of its consent 70 similar
iniquItous legislation. The Rev. DT Wight OF
Camden. who introduced speaking for
many thousands OF people the Rev. Mr. Dinviddie
OF the National Anti-SaIOOn League. and other
Clergymen spoke against the bill. saying that there
popular demand for such legislation as the
measure enacted.
The real intent Of Senate Bill No. 2" said the
Rev. Mr.. Wishart OF Trenton. is TO make it pcs
sibe for liquor dealers Atlantic city 70 sell
liquor on sunday The passage of the bill would
Senator Reed referring to his question as TO the
local option feature OF the bin explained that al
ne was opposed 10 1t unless II was extended TO the
said that the bill handed him by one of the
most reputable men in the state who was not
worthy citizens of Atlantic City. and that IL was
city He had no other interest in the bin than to
provide a measure for the public good and II any
on one IS SoTiq pr pIoe 49, 70 F % ' ~bs a. Pm NJ vsrsbsU
Who was rebukSS bv senator See for an interrup-
tion, said that he did not mean any reflection on
AssembIyman EIviu Of Atlantic County. said that
he was a churchman and in favor OF the bill. be
cause he believed that it would be good measure
for Atlantic City. Clergymen. he said were given
to dealing with ideal conditions while citizens gen,
orally had TO deal with conditions as they found
them. fhe bin under consideration vas deSisnea -
overcome evils which the laws now In existence mad
One OF the leading Republican Senators said to-
night after the heaTIng oesoSs s S,1 snf To9 @
be reported by the Committee on Revision OF the
The interest In the nomination OF State Prison
keeper has by no means abated. and the opposition
10 the reappointment OF Samuel 8. Moore 20 that
hitherto The suggestion that Edward II. Holcombe
would be an excellent keeper was favOraby dis
NOT desire the place ne "a practically out Of the
question. In view, however. OF the prevailing I'm
preston that Governor Murphy. WhlIe IaNorany
inclined appoint Union County man as prison
keeper. would prefer some other citizen or tnat
Passaic County tonight suggested to the Cover
nor the appointment Of John Buckley. Of Paterson.
Mr. Buckley who has been acceptable keeper
OF the Pas County Jail strongly recon-
rnended by Senator Mckee and others. as a man
we'll fitted TOT the place. Inc governor up 70 tIs
time not indicated what his action would be
Scores OF letIerS IequeStlils lIe
the present State Superintendent OF Public lnstruc
ton have been received daily OF late by Governor
Murphy from al parts OF the STATE In rsspo1ss
Charles ]. Baxter. OF Union County. succeed
himself as State Superintendent Of Public Instruc-
He also named tonight David Wickham of Pas
safe county as a sSave riSn InspeCor ~ 20 s
Mr. WiCkham Is a member OF the PasSaiC County
Board OF Chosen Freehoiders, and is a farmer and
Governor Murphy gave dinner tonight for the
Essex delegation in the legislature At the ExeCu
tive Mansion. Tomorrow night he will give din
ner for the State Senator's