The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-02-14
N. LAWMAKERS
Fifth Week Of Jersey Legs
Iature Finds the Work
Well IN Hand.
AGAINST LONG FRANCHISES


promise of important things to be done
soon by the lawmakers. Considerable
progress was made toward shaping Leg
islation for speedy handling. Speaker
Avis request of last week for the COM
mittees to hurry the bills before them
had a good effect, and many of the
measures introduced were reported this
week
The house was treated to surprise
Monday night by Mr.. Colby (Rep) Of
Essex, leader of the majority last year,
who presented a resolution declaring
against franchises being granted in
perpetuity to public utility corpora
lions. The resolution follows:
Whereas, A strong and urgent senti-
ment counter to the general practice OF
municipalities granting to public corpora
lions perpetual and unlimited franchises
and without proper compensation to said
municipalities for such grants; and
Whereas, The general principle upon
which such grants are made Is funda-
mentally wrong in theory and fact ana
is not recognized by the best authorities
upon municipal government and admin
istration; and,
Whereas, This problem, vital as 1t is to
the welfare of every community, should
receive the most careful consideration of
the peoples representatives in legislative
session assembled now; therefore be it
Resolved (the senate concurring). That,
pending possible legislation and the final
fair and equitable adjustment Of all in
terests involved, 1t Is the sentiment of the
senate and general assembly of this state
that all franchises granted in perpetuity
to public utility corporations are wrong
in principle, anticipating conditions inn
possible to forecast or depriving future
generations of their just rights, and are
therefore unfair and wrong and in every
respect contrary to public policy
Laid 0ves to Tuesday.
Leader Dufheid of the majority asked
Mr.. Colby's consent to have the resolu-
ton lie over until next Tuesday so that
the members would have an opportu-
nifty to give it ample consideration.
This was done, and the resolution was
made the special order for next Tues
day.
Mr.. Colby in speaking upon the reso-
luton said that the sentiment in New
Jersey was practically unanimous
against cities granting perpetual fran
chises to corporations He had cam
vassed the house and had found only
one member who favored perpetual
franchises. The adoption of the resolu-
ton, he maintained, would not bind
the legislature in any way, but would
be an expression of opinion which
should prevent municipalities from bar
tering away valuable franchises in per-
v,oA,.;fr, ond if noooad hv tha loUiSIa.
ture, municipalities would then grant
perpetual franchises at their peril. As
this resolution affects municipalities of
all classes, the action on it next week
is looked forward to with great inter
est.
Governor stokes Renppofnts Judges.
In executive session the senate re-
ceived from Governor Stokes the nom
nations of John Rellstab, reappointed
judge of the Mercer county court, and
George w. Macpherson, reappointed
judge Of the city district court of Tren-
ton. The appointments were referred.
The bond Of State Treasurer Frank o..
Briggs was presented to the senate and
referred to the Judiciary committee.
The house passed the concurrent reso-
luton requesting the attorney general
to submit an opinion as to whether the
law providing for the use of voting ma
chimes conflicts with the general cleo
ton act
Automobile Legislation.
More proposed automobile legislation
cropped out this week when Assembly
man Scovel presented an amendment
to the automobile law providing that
licenses shall be issued only to compe-
tent persons and fixing an annual fee
of SIS on all new machines. 1t is fur
Their provided that the license numbers
Of New Jersey, which numbers must
not be less than three inches long,
must be displayed in the front and
rear of the machines and that no other
states number must be used. The
penalty for violations of this provision
is $50 or IN default of that amount
imprisonment not to exceed thirty days
For racing or fast running for BET
or wager the penalty is $50, or the jus.
tice before whom the case is tried may
designate an Imprisonment not to ex.
coed ten days A constable or police
man may arrest an automobilist with
out warrant
A resolution was presented by Sena
tor Hutchinson OF Mercer that 200 nd
ditional copies of the senate bill amend
ing the state library law be printed for
distribution to libraries. Senator Wake
lee introduced four bills as follows,
Supplement to the orphans court act
permitting inspection Of orphans court
records by responsible persons; repeal
ing several nets concerning executors
and intestates estates; an act concern
ing corporations of this state, designed
for religious charitable, educational Of
benevolent purposes; extending the cor
porate powers concerning the holding
of and disposal of property held in fe'
or trust
Senator Bachelor introduced sup
plement to the general school law val
idatlng bonds heretofore issued or loani
made and authorizing the issuance o.
long term bonds for school purposes.
Municipal Taxation.
In line with Governor Stokes recon
mendation concerning taxation In mu
inequalities Senator Hillery presentel
a measure limiting the amount to b
raised by taxation in municipalities 10
local purposes TO ~ per cent Of tn
Ratables. The act does not include stats
e.h<cl 80 - oxax cfs,Efug frIft1 ~