The Jersey City news., 1903-01-12
READY FOR
THE SOL ONs'
One Hundred and Twenty
Seventh Lsgis ature Of
New Jersey Meets
Tomorrow.
MURPHY'S FIRST MESSAGE
Rumors That He Will Recon-
mend Radical Changes in
The Management OF
Institutions.
MURPHY'S FIRST MESSAGE
Special to "The Jersey city News.'o

IRENlON, Jan. Il, lSUo.-G0Vernof
Murphy vii today, Just in time for the
opening Of the legislative session tomor-
row, move into the residence of the late
Adjutant General Stryker, on West State
street, two blocks from the Capitol. He
has leased the house. which is one of the
finest in the exclusive section of the city,
for the winter, and will occupy it during
the legislative session, in order to escape
the necessity of daily trips from his
home in Newark.
He will, it is understood, renew his
series of receptions of last winter, which
proved so delightful 10 the members of
the Legislature and State dignitaries, and
which placed the executive and the law
making bodies of the State upon "a basis
of confidence and sociability such as had
never been known at the capital before
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
A deal of interest attaches to the mes
sage which the Governor will send
to the Legislature, because it viii be
the first after his years experience as
the States executive, and because of
the strong stand he tok last year for GER
tain lines of progress, and for which he
fought most vahautly i'll the legislative
session. Foremost of these, perhaps, is
the movement for primary election re-
form, and the bill which his commission
has prepared for submission to the law
makers will be given more than ordinary
attention for the very reason that he was
its strongest advocate.
Just how far primary reform is likely
to go at this session, however, is not SO
easy to predict. since there are likely to
be some hostile demonstrations for the
measure on the part of those who prefer
the old ways Of naming party candidates
ways which permit the widest lati-
tude to machines.
1t is a fact. though. that many of the
party leaders of the State are honestly
agreed that something must be done to
improve the primaries, and it is felt that
the bin prepared by the Commission
comes as near a solution of the problem
as anything that has been suggested at
any time. Such law viii practically
reyolutionize things political in the State,
and some of those who are now counted
as invulnerable in party affairs are apt
toSslip off into some quiet retreat.
RADICAL CHA NC Els.
The Governor is apt to recommend
some radical changes in the government
and operation Of some of the State insti-
tutions. since he has made close per-
sonal study Of some ofSthem, as he prom
ised himself to do at the close of the
session last year. A man of business
and keenest observance, lie has modern
ideas of how State institutions of an
eleemosynary character shall be conduct
ed, and it would not be surprising to see
radical thoughts expressed in his mes
sage along that line.
Z He may also recommend active and
immediate legislation for the quick i'm
provement of the polluted Passaic, a
subject that has pestered the Legislature
for years, for he is very much inter-
ested in that matter, being resident of
Essex County. The Governor has sew
eral other subjects to look after and
follow up, and he will be kept busy
from this day on to the close cf the
session, whichs ONE of the party leaders
desire to see ait the earliest possible dav.
ALL READY FOR THE SOLoNS.
Everything is in readiness for the open
ing of the Legislature, ard there will be
the usual gathering Of political lights of
sundry grades tonight for the usual
might before" eonfabs and exchange Of
greetings more or less confidence. In
that gathering some idea of the turn Of
State affairs may be Cleaned and some
.notion Of who is likely to get the good
things which the Governor is to distrib-
ute in the coming months.
A few days ago ii was under stood
shat United States District Attorney
Watkins, of Woodbury., was practically
agreed upon as the successor OF Banking
and Insurance Commissioned Bettle.
whose term will expire in April. AS that
is three months off, many things may
happen in the meantime, and those who
have been active candidates for the place
have by no means abandoned hope Of
landing il.
BETTLE'S SHOES.
That there is no 'scombinatiea,, Of
leaders formed to dictate this and other
selections is decidedly affirmed by those
most directly concerned 'sWhy. we arc
in the best of humor ana indersfand;ny >,
said one OF the prominent State Rennh-
iican leaders today No decision has
been reached as To this or any @Eyhar
appointment. The governor has been
interviewed by the influential friends S,f of
no less than eight candidates for that
particular position, and he has now no
notion as to who he will name. That Il
as true as GOSPEL. -
District Attorney Watkins has written
a letter declaring that lie is. not ii can
dldate for the place. and that is only
natural IN sensitive man, since MI
Battle is still occupying the position
and has expressed no purpose of resign
ing. 1t he should wholly recover his
health and express d wish to be rea 3,
pointed. the Governor might deem IL wise
and prudent to reappoint him. sis,t2 Mn.
Bettle il one Of the Oldest and mosf llse-
ful RepHblican leaders in the STATE. Yar
can set it down as sure that inst lf
present the party leaders Ia fhe Sfafe
are working N hqyfll0sly, and all tile
stories about Combines Ia confrol fle,
nfj00infnlpnfa oif hazel go = sf~ y