Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-01-08

voting machine a feasible and reliable
affair and will in all probability recon-
mend to the legislature that a number
of them be purchased. The state may
have to bear the larger part of the cost
of these machines if they are substi-
tuted for the present system of ballot
ing, and, although it is generally recog-
nized that the voting machines would
be long step in the right direction,
the fact that it would mean an enor-
nous outlay on the part of the state
may serve to hinder the passage of any
bill providing for their adoption this
year.
other Prospective Legislation.
An effort will be made this year to
wipe out the collateral Inheritance tax,
which is a tax on all requests that must
be paid to the state, and this, it is
claimed, often proves hardship. From
this tax the state receives large sums
each year, the amount having reached
$125, 1000 a year. Although this matter
has been before the state authorities
for some years, no effort has been made
to wipe the law off the statute books.
Another proposition that is pretty
sure of receiving definite action is the
abolition of fees in connection with all
county offices. The fee system is now
practically confined to county clerks
-sheriffs and surrogates There is a
strong sentiment throughout the state
in favor of stated salaries based on a
fair average of the emoluments of these
offices. If a law is passed abolishing
fees in county offices, it will probably
not affect the present incumbentS OF
these offices.
There is a good prospect that a law
will be enacted at the coming session tC
prohibit live pigeon shooting in this
state.
Essex county wants bill passed pro
viding for state aid to maintain the
plank road between Newark and Jersey
City. This is to perfect the plan by
which the state may improve this i'm
portant roadway as it is improving an6
caring for other roads throughout the
state, but which it is prevented from
doing because of some ruling by the
courts of the state by which Essex is
forced to bear the burden of the cost Of
maintaining the road.
Antispring Election Bill.
The Meeker law is another PROPOSE
ton that will create a contest in the
legislature. This is the bill that abol
ished spring elections in cities. There
is a sentiment in favor of the repeal
ing of this law.
1t is expected that the state will be
asked to appropriate larger sun
than ever for the improvement OF
roads, and it is thought that this prop
osition will receive favorable consid
Grafton.
An executive mansion at Trenton
will be asked for, and a bill fol
the erection of a state normal schoo
will also be presented. A sunset cleo
ton law, the antimosquito BILL bill
for the creation of forest fire brigade
the ocean boulevard bill, a bill for thu
election of assemblymen by districts
the proposed amendments to the con
stitution, are a few of the matters thai
will probably come up for the consid
GRAFTON of the new legislature.
Samuel L. Gillin of Monmouth coun
ty, who was private secretary to Pres
ident G. Asa Francis of Monmouth las
year, has been selected by President-to
be Hutchinson to act in the same ca
pacity this year, the man from Mercer
having given this berth to Monmouth
county SO as to have the giving out Of
the position of the sergeant at arms
which plum would ordinarily have gone
to Senator Brown of Monmouth county