Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-02-12

recent catastrophe affords an opportu-
nifty of pressing this matter, and there
is every prospect that the "two fire.
men" bill will be successful this year.
The Central railroad accident has
given rise to considerable speculation
relative to the ACCESSIBILITY of the crea-
ton of state railroad commission for
New Jersey. The suggestion of a
bill providing for such a body has not
met with general favor, it being claim
ed that the railroads operating in this
state are, as a rule, well conducted and
that railroad commission would be
an expensive luxury.
Senator Wakelee's voting machine
bill has not made its appearance as yet,
but it will in all probability be intro
duced shortly, and there is every pros
pect that it will receive speedy and ia
vorable consideration at the hands of
the lawmakers. There is an impress
sion in some quarters that the proposed
measure does not go far enough, mas
much as it only provides for the pur-
chase by the state of limited number
Of these machines to be installed in as
many of the voting districts of the
state as would give them a thorough
trial and show their good merits off to
the voters to the best advantage. The
machines cost $500 apiece, and to place
one in each of the 1, LA voting districts
of the state would entail on outlay on
the part of the state of more than half
million dollars. 1t is pointed out that
so many machines would not be need
ed, as their use would make it possible
to consolidate voting districts as they
are at present constituted and that,
while the expenditure on the part of
the state would be large, the invest
ment would be a good one. Senator
Wakelee's bill is designed as an enter
ing wedge, and it is hoped by a judi
cious use of the machines TO be bought
by the state at the next election such
popular demand for them will be Gre
ated that there will be no objection if
an appropriation of several hundred
thousand dollars is made next year to
purchase a sufficient number CT them.
Educational Matters.
Passaic city offers the state two
acres of ground, at the choice of the
state board of education, for the pro-
posed new normal school.
Assemblyman Treacy of Hudson be-
fore the house committee on education
on Monday night suggested that there
be two normal schools in the northern
part of the state and advised that one
be established in Hudson and the other
in Essex county.
Before the house committee on edu-
cation last Monday night Dr. Austin
Scott, president Of Rutgers college,; D.
D. Denise, president of the state board
of agriculture, and Professor e. B.
Voorhees, urged the continuation of the
free scholarships in the agricultural!
department of Rutgers college.
The house has passed a joint resolu-
ton authorizing the governor to ap-
point a commission of five to report
to the next legislature the ACCESSIBILITY
of establishing a state reformatory for
women.
I1OuSc DlH NO. ~, lie SS-
adjustment of firemen's relief associa
tions in two adjoining districts, has
passed the house, applying particularly
to Gloucester county.
For an Executive Mansion.
Two bills have been introduced in
the senate by Leader Wakelee looking
to the establishment of an executive
mansion and the extension of the state
house grounds. The first of these au-
thorizes the statehouse commission,
comprising the governor, state treasur-
er and comptroller, to acquire by gift
grant or purchase any existing resi-
dence in Trenton, together with the
lands and premises, for a guberna-
torial mansion, or to build an executive
home, if deemed advisable, not more
than $4,000 to be expended for that
purpose.
The second bill provides for the en-
Iargement of the capitol grounds for
100 feet on either or both sides of the
present ground and between West State
street, upon which the capitol is locat-
ed, and the Delaware river in the rear
of the same, the property to be acquir-
ed by gift, grant, purchase or condem-
nation through municipal action. An
appropriation of $4,000 is provided
for this extension.
1t would appear as if the bill to pre-
vent pigeon shooting in this state was
doomed to die in committee, although
Assemblyman Williams will leave no
stone unturned to bring the measure
before the house and have it fought
out on it's merits. There is said to
have been strong political influence
brought to bear to have the bill killed.
A CROIln