The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-04-19

Wnen II was OVerWnelmeQ With the
pressure of other business, should not
have been able to give that considera-
ton to the question which it's impor-
lance demanded, but many interests
can be conserved by a present deci-
sion, and, so far as l have been able
to learn, nothing can be gained by a
postponement.
"The failure of the legislature to
deal in open session definitely with
what has come to be known as the pi-
geon bill has aroused feeling of dis
appointment throughout the state.
This feeling has been intensified be-
cause the bill was not reported from
to be not so much whether pigeons
shall hereafter be shot from traps as
whether any question in which large
number of the people are interested
shall receive proper consideration at
the hands of the Representatives of the
people"
Governor Had Signed Many Bills.
The governor, continuing, said that
the legislature had adjourned two
weeks ago and had left PA bills in his
hands for consideration. He felt it
his duty to accept as far as possible the
judgment of the legislature and had
signed the greater number of them.
From some he had been compelled to
withhold his signature because of the
incorrectness of their form, particular
ly the Jersey City sewer bond issue
bill, and others upon which the govern
or said he would be glad to have the
further judgment of the legislature.
Speaking of the appropriation of
$275,000 for the improvement of roads
throughout the state, the governor said
he had been compelled to veto this APP
preparation because the amount here
tofore annually expended, $250,000, was
quite as much as the state should APP
prOpriare and if the counties desired
to make greater Improvements than
their share of the appropriation would
allow these counties should furnish the
additional sum. The governor said he
did not want to be understood as being
in any way opposed to the policy of
the state in the Question of improving
the roads, policy, he said, with which
he has been heartily in sympathy, and
he would be glad, he said, if the legis-
priating $250,000 for this purpose.
In conclusion the governor called at
tention to the needs of the Railway re-
formatory, which, he said, is doing ex
cellent work in saving first offenders to
creditable citizenship. In speaking on
this subject the executive said that no
sum was too large to devote to this in
stitution.
Pigeon Bill Warmly Debated.
The anti pigeon shooting bill intro
duced by Senator Bachelor of Essex was
warmly debated upon by both houses
1t provides that any person who uses
a live pigeon, fowl or other bird for the
purpose of target or to be shot at
either for amusement OF as test Of
skill in craftsmanship, or acts as par
ty to such shooting, or leases any build
ing or premises or knowingly permits
the use thereof for the purpose of such
shooting shall be guilty of misde-
of $50 for each violation of the act and
to an additional penalty of $25 for each
bird shot at or killed, but nothing in
the act is held to apply to the shooting
of game.
Senator Horner presented numerous
petitions against the bill, after which
Senator Jackson reported it favorably.
Senator Horner offered substitute
prohibiting pigeon shooting except by
regularly organized clubs holding a IL
cense from the fish and game commits
sion. A heated debate on this PROPOSE
ton ensued, Senators Horner and Lee
supporting the substitute and Senators
Bachelor, Hudspeth and Cross oppos-
ing it. The motion to. adopt the sub
stitute was defeated by vote Of to 8.
An amendment making the act opera
tive July instead of Immediately was
adopted by a vote of II to 3. On final
passage there was more speaking~ on
Inc bill, both for and against it, and it
was passed by vote of IA to e.
The bill then went to the house,
where there was just as warm a dis
cussion on it. Mr.. Robbins of Burling-
ton and Mr.. Elvins of Atlantic opposed
the measure, while Mr. Swackhamer
of Somerset and Mr.. Scovel of Camden
favored it. 1t was passed by the house
by vote of 40 to s.
The Passaic flood bill was rearrang-
ed to meet the governors objections
to it by providing that any deficiency
in assessments shall be made up by a
bond issue.
There was long debate in the SEN
ate in executive session over the con-
firmation of the nominations of the
prison inspectors sent in by the gov
ernor. The nominations made were:
William A. Berry, Monmouth; ]. e.
Mitchell, Cumberland; Jacob Shultz,
Morris; Bernard Feeney, Passaic; and
James III. Davenport of Essex. Con
firmation of Mr.. Davenport was op-
posed by Senator Welsh of Morris on
the ground that he had been promised
the appointment of another man, but
that the agreement had not been car
ried out All but Mr.. Davenport were
confirmed without opposition. The
vote on Mr.. Davenport's confirmation
stood nine to seven, and that was de-
clared sufficient to confirm him, mas.
much as only nineteen senators were
present. When consulted. the attorney