The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1906-09-13

ng revenue from rentals, to be de-
7oted to public education.
Mosquito determination.
The act by the legislature this year
authorizing an appropriation, covering
several years, of $350,000 for the ex-
irpation of the mosquito pest deals
with state evil the magnitude of
which the people of the state fully COM
1rehend. 1t has given to our state
lame abroad that has done incalculable
injury to the states material interests.
t has retarded the development of our
magnificent seacoast and mountains,
4 oeen a serious obstacle to the popula-
! ion of our beautiful suburban dis
:ricts and injured property values to
he extent of many millions. The pest
S also responsible for much sickness
ind the cost of medicines and medical
attendance Republican legislation
irst provided the means for scientific
study of the pest. and the methods now
employed will, there is every assur-
ince, rid New Jersey of its age long
.eproach and lift the state to higher
blame of prosperity.
Purer Elections.
Corrupt practice acts were passed
his year by the legislature in accord
ance with the suggestions made by the
governor who said in his message:
sThe corruption. of the ballot has
been the subject of frequent legisla-
lion. A purchased vote is crime
against popular government, and the
person elected to office through bribery
aas no more moral right to his position
than a man who usurps it by actual
force. The purity of the ballot is nee
assary to safe and honest government.
Honest elections and honest officials
20 hand in hand"
One act makes easier convictions for
bribery and the other follows the
English act in charging the definition
Of bribery so as to include as nearly
as may be all methods of unduly in
Auencing the mind of the voter.
Jury Reform.
Jury reform has been a political COM
monplace for years. Jury commissions
have been created. abused and abolish
ed. Governor Stokes. in his annual
message, said: Jury duty should not
be the reward of political service nor
be made means of political patron
age. Our sheriffs should be free from
the embarra ssment of solicitation on
the part of any one for jury service.
either for himself or for others. Gov
arnor Stokes suggested that ''the judges
of the court of common pleas be made
the determining party in the selection
of the panel The sheriff could per-
form, under proper rules and regula-
lions. duties similar to those now per-
formed by him in the preparation of
the list of names eligible to jury duty
and the court s'should have the power
to add new names to the sheriff's list
before selecting the panel" The legis-
lature enacted a law giving to the court
this supervisory power. There will be
additional legislation of this character
until jury system. covering grand
iuries, is established that will be as
nearly perfect as possible.
Reform In State Institutions.
The creation of the office Of commits
sioner of charities and correction by
the legislature of 1905 was an idea that
has been splendidly indicated in the
economic and philanthropic results.
The various state boards had acted in
dependently of each other and of any
central authority in their expenditures.
The state commissioner has central
lied and systematized their admins
trative work. The law provides that
all new building shall be done ac-
cording to the plans of the commission
er's architect, and this has, up to date,
saved the state about $4,000 in archi-
tects' fees alone.
A New Automobile Law
The rapid multiplication of automo-
biles on the highways of the state
created a novel condition demanding
legislative action. An act was passed
two years ago, which, however, failed
to have it's intended effect. The legis-
lature this year grappled boldly with
the S1IudC1Ou anu eudCteu Jaw, WIN
the necessary machinery for its opera
ton, which meets all reasonable re-
uuirements without making the roads
of New Jersey repellent to citizens OF
this and other states or doing injury
to the New Jersey pleasure resorts.
Saved the Palisades.
/ The magnificent Palisades of the Hud-
son, famous throughout the world,
were saved by Republican legislation
at Trenton and at Albany from vandal
destruction. All of the Palisades, from
Fort Lee to Stony Point. in New York
will now be converted into noble and
unique public park, and by the action
of the New York legislature Hook
mountain has been added, making a
stretchof thirty -fvem miles of public park,
which also includes the majestic river.
The state legislature also authorized
the extensive public park systems in
Essex and Hudson counties, and he
publican legislation will have created
in the state many square miles of state
parks and reservations, with lake and
mountain and forest scenery, to make
New Jersey Incompatible in the ex
tent and variety and beauty Of her pub