The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-02-27
THE WEEK WITH LAWMAKERS
Legislature suspends Sergeant-at-
arms, George Powell, From ONCE
Much Other Business

Much Other Business
TUESDAYS session of the State legis-
lature was for the most part & ven over
to the consideration of the bills provid-
ing for a state Railroad Commission and
the one which is known as the Passaic
Pollution bill The railroad commission
bill was introduced by Assemblyman
Cook, of Bergen county who has de-
voted himself very closely to the stu
alton during the past ten days The
results of his labor are believed to be
satisfactory enough to induce the house
to pass the bill he proposes. 1t embraces
the best features of similar law now
in operation in New York and Massa
chusetts and has been submitted for
approval to several of the best lawyers
of the State.
Mr.. Cooks bill provides for state
sist of three members. Their appoint
ment is placed in the hands of the
Governor with the advice and approval
of the Senate. The annual salary of
each commissioner is placed at $8, 900.
and a clerk is allowed at $8. 900. The
annual expense of the board is limited to
$50, 900, and must be born by railroad
corporations. Commissioners are re-
quired to keep themselves informed as to
the general conduct and condition Of
railroads in the state; they shall investi-
gate the causes of accident of any rail
road or street railway and have various
other powers such as regulating the
speed of trains within the limits of
cities, towns, boroughs and villages.
In the Senate Chambers Tuesday after
noon hearings WERE had on the bills
which provide for three men in the cab
of locomotive of the Wootten type
The Passaic pollution bill came up in
the Assembly Tuesday morning and the
entire day was devoted to consideration
of amendments offered by Mr.. Stalter
who succeeded in passing two amend
ments, the effects of which were of only
very minor Importance. Mr. Boyd, of
Essex. was kept on his feet during the
day fighting the amendments offered by
Mr.. Stalter.
Former Judge Mott, of Newark, coun.
sci for Sergeant -arms Powell, was be.
fore the special Committee of Assembly
and made an argument in behalf of his
client who is charged with completely IL
robbery of the vestments of a Newark
church, the story of which is well known
During his argument Judge Mott
criticised some of the members of the
Newark detective depart nent and claim
ed that Powell's information led up tc
the arrest of the thieves and recovery
of the property.
The Senate passed the bill which in
creases the salary of the State Banking
and Insurance Commissioner from "a, 00C
to $6, 600 year. William Bente, the
present Commissioner, will retire at the
end of his term in April, and the report
that United States District Attorney
Watkins. of Cumberland county, will
be his successor, was reiterated with re-
newed emphasis Tuesday. 1t also was
said that to United States Senator Kean
had been accorded by President Rose
welt the naming of the successor of Mr..
Watkins, and that he had selected a
South Jersey Republican, whose name
he would present to the President at the
proper time. This is the Office for which
the friends of Judge Vreeland of this
place have been urging him and for
which John l.. Swayze, Secretary to the
Governor, is also candidate. The fight
has been. and for that matter, still is a
pretty one, but if it is true that President
Roosevelt has decided to leave the nam
ing of the man to Senator Keap, it is
likely that Mr.. Wilson, of South
Jersey, will be the one named.
Among other things done by the
House Tuesday was the passing of the
bill placing the appointing power for
Lake and Park Commissioners Of Sussex
County with the Governor. When
Free Lakes was voted for in that
County Justice Garretson, of this city,
named the Commissioners. Two of these
were known not to have been in sympathy
with the law and the third declined to
serve. The amendment to this law Is
intended to change this condition of
things.
The committee of the legislature which
has been engaged in investigating the
charges brought against sergeant-at-
arms, George Powell, of the Assembly,
reported in favor of his dismissal last
Wednesday and the report was adopted
by the the makers of law, but only after
hard struggle made by the friends of
the officer. The committees report was
unanimous. The matter assumed such
proportions of importance that both
political parties held caucus on it. TIE
republican caucus was not harmonious
and was greatly prolonged by discussion
After an exciting session nine members
left the caucus room claiming that the
matter was not properly caucus meas
ure. The democrats decided to vote as
the republicans decided in their caucus.
The dismissal of the sergeant at arms
was affected by vote of Al to 8, eight
of the members being absent.
ID. 4.