The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1904-12-27

point three persons for term of five
years, at a salary of $1,000 per year, to
constitute a State board Of commission
ers Of electrical subway. The commits
sioners were authorized to appoint
clerk at a salary of 81 800 per year and
an electrical expert of such compensation
as should be approved by the Governor.
The duty of the board was to examine
the manner of construction, of tele-
graphic, telephonic and electric light
wires in all cities.
The board was empowered to remove
ordered all such wires under ground
whenever, in its Judgment the welfare of
the public would be a advanced thereby,
and its decision was made final.
No subway or conduit could be con-
structed until majority of the commits
sioneu's had approved the plan thereof
and the board was given control of all
the streets of the cities, all local authori-
ties being made subordinate to the board.
The section of the act which gave this
board jurisdiction over trolley lines was
the one which provided that after the
passage of the act no telegraph, telephone
electric light or other electric wire or
cable should be constructed along, across
or above any streets in any city of the
State until the consent of the board had
been obtained.
Governor Albeit appointed Allan E..
McDermott, of Jersey City; George r.
Gray, of Newark, and Miles Ross, of
New Brunswick, as the first board under
the act. Much opposition against the
commission developed, particularly be-
cause of the fact that it took from
the municipal authorities of city the
control over it's own streets. The law was
vigorously opposed by the Republicans,
and was among the first which they
wiped off the statute book when they
came into power.
There is much talk in South Jersey of
introducing a bill to abolish spring cleo
tions in the country districts. The law
which was passed three years ago abol-
ishing these election in the cities and
towns is considered of such benefit to
these municipalities that the rural dis
tricts of that section have become inn
bued with the idea that similar law
prove of much benefit, as, it is claimed,
it would enable these rural dis
tricts to save money. Should the next
legislature enact law abolishing spring
elections all over the State, all freehold
ers, township committeeman, commits
sioners of appeal, highway, justices of
the peace, constables and other officers,
whose terms expire next March, will hold
over until next November, when the gem
eral election will take place.
The State Charities Aid Association
proposes to seek the passage Of law
providing a plan whereby the fam
lies of those persons confined in
warehouses; may be helped by a system
of wages paid for work performed by
such prisoners. The advocates Of such
measure argue that the persons so con-
families of children are dependent for
their homes and subsistence, and that
these children, because of the incarcera-
tion of their bread-winners. are liable to
become public charge. On the other
hand, the labor unions look with disfavor
on any plan for paying wages for prison
work. They claim that, as rule, prison
made goods have the effect of cheapening
the price OF labor. In reply TO TINS the
advocates of the bill say that that could
be obviated by the State charging the
prevailing prices for the product of its
prisons.
1t appears that the influence of Hamil-
ton Kean, the chairman Of the Union
County Republican Committee, in the
matter Of the secretary to President-to-
be Cross, of the Senate, is all-suficient.
When the Senatorial caucus nominated
the Union County man for president Mr..
Kean said that whatever influence he
possessed in behalf of J. W. Cliff, editor
of the Summit Herald, for the position.
President Cross has decided to appoint
Mr.. Cliff as his secretary.
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