The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-01-16

further consideration as it's Importance
demands.
1t is the general opinion that it Is
necessary to the proper appearance of
the statehouse that more land should
be acquired on either side of it. 1t is
large building and should have prop
er setting. The cost would not be seri-
GUS, and the attractiyeness of the build
ing, which is of interest to every Jer-
seyman, would be greatly enhanced.
| This is an important question and one
entirely apart from an executive man
sion.
| Concerning the executive mansion,
think this may be said: 1t is brought to
the attention of the legislature because
of the opinion hold that the time has
come when the state should provide a
| suitable residence for it's governor. A
number of states do this already, and
| l think the citizens of this state are
willing to dignity the Office to this ex-
| tent. 1t has not been the custom of for
| mer governors, with few exceptions, to
the legislature and at other times. They
have come to the statehouse in the
morning and gone away in the after
| noon or evening as their work was fin
| ished or about finished. Citizens from
| every part of the state have their inter-
| views with him in his Office or on his
way to or from the train, and his habit
| re IiPa hoe of r,aooccitxy hao,, 10 nI-fnrv Il,
comfort and dignity. 1t is desirable
also that the governor should have a
house where he may entertain visitors
| from abroad as well as to have a suita-
| BILE gathering place for important occa-
sions in the current life of the state. If
the state were poor, the question Of ex-
pense might be raised, but the state is
rich. The present salary paid the gov
ernor is generous, l think sufficient for
his needs living in an executive man.
sion provided by the state.
| suggest that the two questions be
considered separately. One can be stat
ed as the extension of the statehouse
grounds, in conformity with the bill of
last winter, but without any provision
for an executive mansion, the other to
provide for the purchase or erection of
an executive mansion either on the
statehouse grounds or elsewhere as
may be thought best by those to whom
the work shall be intrusted, so that if
the legislature should conclude that it
is not advisable to provide the mansion
referred to they may at least provide
for an extension of the grounds, a mat
ter which has been received with very
general favor throughout the state.
Changes In Judicial System.
The last legislature passed certain
amendments to the constitution which
provide for certain changes in our judi
cial system. The overcrowded condition
of the courts emphasizes the urgent
need of the final adoption of these
amendments, which, it is expected, will
give the relief desired. l urge the i'm
portance of prompt and favorable ac-
ton by the present legislature upon
these amendments and the providing of
the necessary machinery to carry them
into effect in case the people should
ratify them at the polls.
Relation of New jersey to the Trust
Question.
There has been SO much discussion of
Jersey is so largely interested in the
matter by reason of the large number
of corporations organize under her
laws, that | deem it advisable to refer
to it. The relations of our state to the
interests involved are so intimate and
the public mind has from many points
of view been so misdirected that l
think frank discussion of the position
of New Jersey to the general question
is desirable at this time, and if l have
left for the close of my message what |
have to say on this question it is not
because think it last i'll Importance
The legislation of this state for the
past thirty years has been SO wise and
has SO won the confidence of the public
that corporations to the number of
many thousands have taken advantage
of its laws to incorporate under them.
1t is the impression of some who are
ignorant of the facts that the corpora
ton laws of New Jersey are especially
liberal and that corporations organized
Under them have unusual and perhaps
unwise powers. This is not so. The
New Jersey law recognizes the right of
property to protection 1t recognizes as
well the right of the people to equal
protection. 1t allows no oppression OF
the people by the corporation. 1t al
lows no unjust assault upon the corpo>
ration by the people to be effective. 1t
carefully and justly guards the interest
of both. Most of it's features have been
passed upon by the courts, than whom
none stand higher in the land for pro-
bity and learning. And, quite as impor-
tant as the law and the courts, there is
back of both and supporting both a
sturdy and vigorous public sentiment
throughout the state that would quick
ly call to account any legislature that
should infringe upon the rights of Ell
Their. Corporations that want to do a
dishonest business have hard time of
it under the New Jersey law. Corpora
tons that desire to conduct their bust
ness as honest men conduct theirs are
protected as fully and completely as is
any individual in the state, but not
more. New Jersey has justly won the
confidence of the country because its
laws protect alike and with equal JUS
tice the rights of the people and the
rights of property. The result of this
confidence has been that so great