, 1906-01-10

punishable at the same time Dotn are
driven to take refuge under the right to
refuse to testify on the ground of self In
elimination. Under these conditions con-
viction Is difficult.
| would amend the bribery laws by linn
iting the penalties for their violation to
disfranchisement for a term of years, ac-
cording to the number of the offenses
committed. If offenses against the bribery
laws were punishable by disfranchise
ment and the consequent disgrace. l be-
lieve they would be just as effective as
Imprisonment, and conviction would be
more easily secured. If this punishment
did not prove effective a second offense
should be punished by Imprisonment as
well as Acknowledgement l would pro.
vide that the informer, whether he be the
bride giver or the bride taker, should be
exempt from punishment.
Our laws should be more comprehensive
In the definition of bribery. The actual
giving Of money or the promise of a posi-
ton are not the only forms of corrupting
the voter. There are other ways equally
baneful and more insidious. The English
corrupt practices act forbids any form of
entertainment, even the providing of
meat or drink, either on the part of can
didates or of any one else In the interests
of candidates or parties. The entertain
ment or equipping of clubs and contribu-
lions thereto are likewise forbidden, as
we'll as the employment of carriages to in
luence voters to come to the polls in the
interests of any particular candidate or
party. Anti-bribery laws to be effective
must cover all ways in which money can
be used to seduce the voter.
To these suggestions add publicity in
connection with election expenses. There
are some legitimate expenses. These
should be defined by law, and the candi-
dates and their agents, likewise defined by
law, should be compelled to render an ac-
counting of the money expended and for
what purposes. I recommend the English
and Massachusetts, corrupt practices acts
for elections, caucuses and primaries as
the basis of legislation on this subject.
Forestry Reservations.
Among New jerseys valuable resources
are her woodlands. Forty-six per cent of
the upland area of New Jersey is better
adapted to the production of forests than
to grazing or tillage. A plan for the utili-
zation of this territory for the growth of
timber and the reclamation of our waste
lands for purposes of tree culture was in
augurated at the last session of the legis-
lature. Under the provisions of that act
a forestry commission was appointed.
The commissions aim has been, first, to
secure a tract where tree culture could be
exemplified and studied In a practical
way and thus serve as an incentive to in
dividuals and private interests to engage
in this work on their own account; sec
ond, to secure a tract containing tim
Der ready for cutting, that the state might
at once derive a revenue from this source
and at the same time be growing trees to
AXE the places of those cut and removed:
,nird. to secure a tract capable OF grow
Ing timber, even though 1t require a gen.
grafton or more for its development.
These three objects seem to cover a COM
paratively wide field of forestry work.
Tan Thousand 6aIIaf ne uyaS tod
for these purposes. A tract of 1884 acres
near Mays Landing was purchased for the
sum of $1,075. rs. to which has been added
l04.G5 acres. the gift of John Clifford, and
a tract of 597 acres of young timber in
Bass River township. Burlington county.
has been secured at a cost of SS79. The
aggregate acreage now acquired is 970.o
acres at a cost of 81, 954. rs for the land and
j193.5o for surveys and maps required by
law.
Negotiations are in progress for tracts
of larger acreage. subject to the approval
Of the legislature in the way of sufficient
appropriation. Among them is Weymouth
tract of "a, 700 acres. we'll timbered. lying
near Mays Landing and Egg Harbor
City, which has been offered at IS an
acre The tract contains a pond of 200
acres and a water power already develop
ed, with future possibilities of 450 horse
power. The average flow is 1873, 10000
gallons daily and the minimum 80, $50. 600
gallons. With storage. Us, 900, 900 gallons
daily may be collected. The tract also
contains deposits of clay, gravel and
stone. a fully equipped sawmill, a paper
mill, a store and twenty-four houses.
Arrangements are pending between the
forestry commission and the board of wa
ter commissioners of East Orange where
by the forestry commission can take
charge of a tract of $50 acres located in
hi1hnrp fnyunahfn ECQaY nnInfV ca that
this tract may practically become a part
of the forestry reservation of the state.
The acquisition of such tracts tends to
the preservation of our water supply. In.
deed, a state forestry reservation should
go hand in hand with the conservation of
our water sources and potable streams.
Already our large municipalities are fear
ing water famines Too much care can
not be exercised to avoid this calamity.
and If legislative action can aid 1t should
be taken promptly before the danger is
upon us.
State Property In Potable Water.
We have 10S fresh water lakes distribut-
ed throughout the state, covering 1900
acres. Whore practicable these should be
set apart as public parks and carefully
preserved for the use of the people of the
state. They should become the property
of the state in connection with its for
estry reservation. The state now owns
no potable waters. but 1t could acquire
these lakes and through the ownership of
forestry reservations the sources of our
potable streams.
1 suggest, subject to the Judgment of
the Legislature. that some commission.
preferably the riparian, be authorized to
investigate this proposition, its practical
bility and probable cost and IL possible
make at least a partial report at this SEES
sion of the legislature if 1t be found that
some preliminary legislation is necessary.