New-York tribune., 1906-03-27
PERKINS BILL UP TO-DAY
ACT SLATED TO PASS.
Railroads Still Hopeful - Bishops
Bills Hard RO5C.
[By Telegraph to Tho tribune. ]


Trenton, March 26-The Perkins bill is slated
for passage tomorrow. Both Governor Stokes
and Chairman Briggs are positive Of it's passage
before sunset, and without any material amend
ments.
The railroad representatives wear long faces
but then they are men of long reach. They
never stop fighting until there is no doubt OF
their victory or defeat. One Of the oldest OF the
lobby whispered confdentially this evening that
he guessed there were thirteen votes pledged to
the BILL but at the time he winked an
| ominous eye and said: Thirteen is an unfortu-
nate number, and the Ides Of March are por-
| tentous."
Probably the measure is safe. What has
clinched the matter is The Tribunes statement
this morning that the Bradley bills had been
declared unconstitutional by Attorney General
/ McCarter McCarter not here to-day on
account of his brother-in-law's death. but It is
understood the opinion was given last week.
| Possibly an adverse opinion would not make
much difference. The railroad men have their
own little jokes up their own little sleeves They
secretly maintain that the Perkins bill will never
pass the scrutiny of the courts although refus-
ing to state the grounds on which the assertion
is based.
In fact, the game Of bluff" is being played
all around. The party leaders have the best
reason for their bold stand. Their only weak
any time of certain South Jersey Senators.
These Senators are railroad men at heart, and
It means no material loss with their constituents
If they stand by the "Old Pennsy" they call
the road in terms Of endearment They have
pulled through with railroad assistance at many
an election, and they believe they could do
again.
On the other hand, party pressure brought
by the Governor and Briggs is telling against
fr{av ,AgHgv H.
holds the situation so far South Jersey is
concerned. He had the matter put very frankly
before him by a prominent North Jersey man
this afternoon.
BE a leader" the North Jersey man said
and be a second Sewen, Governor. Where you
would lose one recruit by such a course you
would gain dozen. Cali the boys in and give /
them ringing instructions, and if that doesn't /
work send in a redhot message to the Legis- |
lature."
The Governor smiled and said perhaps it was |
good advice. There no signs of his inten- |
ton up to midnight, however.
Colby frankly announced his intention to stand |
by the party and the Perkins measure, after /
putting in few strong words for his Arrow
smith substitute 1t is an interesting night to
be followed by tame or very exciting day.
OPINION ON REDIsTRIBUTING BILL.
Attorney General McCarter sent a communi-
cation to the House tonight regarding the As
sembly Tedistrtbuting bill The House wanted to
know whether the measure was unconstitu-
tional. The Attorney General says that the only
decision In the case was that of the State agt
Wrightson, rendered on a former Assembly re-
distributing scheme and that declared the plans
For that reason he concluded
the present measure was likewise unconstitu-
donal
understood hOv hat
never been carried to the Court Of Appeals the
present bill was introduced to test the matter
IN the highest courts. In other words, Mr. Nc
Carter's opinion amounted to the belief that It
would not hurt to give the plan a trial and
see what the courts decided
On motion Of Mr.. Perkins the letter was or
iered spread on the minutes It is probable the
oill' considering the Attorney Generals opinion.
"lI be reported by the Judiciary Committee to-
morrow without comment. 1t rather looks as |
hough the scheme to redistrict was knocked out
or this session
The Appropriation Committee this afternoon |
rdered the appropriation of $4,000 asked for | :
~ the Essex Troop, of Newark. for a new
The bishops bills are having a hard time c
Helr rate seems TO be in doubt tonight. Chair :
= nan II avis OF the Senate committee called down =
O-uay WIN tne intention Of reporting the meas =
res with some amendments he had prepared >
1e trled 10 submit the suggested changes TO his =
OHeagues IN the committee during the after =
oon and evening, but failed He stated +tat bo
-ouId certainty have report ready in the n
morning. But this is the sort Of talk that bas >
cen heard for several weeks.
Inc amendments that Avis has in mind erd
Apects 10 submit are as follows: To strike out
ne JOINT application of the landlord and saloon .
eeper TOT license; reduce the liability OF +be |
"HeI ~ connection with the saloonkee re- -
pCCllSIDIIlIy 10 TOUR months, instead Of q wear.
Her increase the license fee or limit the n,,,, tr
~ u HceAses IN community; make the bar- ol
JUN G open, with no other room as a part Of the
, Atoon ana with screens left on the street side.
lIHOIs urder the age Of eighteen not 10 he oI'
,Weu 10 Duy for themselves or for others, tba =
ATtSe Iiy oodrd may compel the throwing down
l pIIhGs ana removal Of screens d1Irfns, bo,,r- -
tteH the sale or liquor is Illegal -
senator akelee Championed the Sta+a7 TsI,,a
80. 81 .PrOJeCt tonight. He introduced a bfII .
y ., 1IIis 'he waters Of New Jersey IN he cer
81 eu 70 staten island by means Of two pipes From,
Z q @ @OIlIIo u1oer the XIII Kull the pIans 10
: approved by the Secretary OF War the T,arn,Jt \
last until January l. 1922 and the sTroTnt
an rIlsPor'eu not TO exceed ten million gaIlona ne-
SENATOR ma MintuTn put in measure providing
" an addltlonal Common Pleas iudga IN oT-a-sS.
,unty or over 1000 inhabitants 10y
senator jackson introduced q bin rro,,tdtr., -
II primary elections of both parties 70 he bai3 l.
.dure. ''eS inc pro- -
MT Martin tried to pass a resolution to-nisb+
'klnB the Attorney General for his opinIon on ! -
y, repeater or the Promoters Liability HIN | u
hlch ne (Martn) introduced. It was refarrad | ~
the judiciary Committee. The Senate nasseS |
e AVS plIi providing for county boards for the =
-