Bridgeton pioneer., 1906-09-13
Ing revenue from rentals, to be de-
voted to public education

''0N~N
Mosquito determination.
The act by the legislature this year
authorizing an appropriation, covering
several years, Of S350,090 for the ex-
tirpation of the mosquito pest deals
with a state evil the magnitude of
which the people of the state fully COM
prehend. 1t has given to our state
name abroad that has done incalculable
injury to the states material interests.
1t has retarded the development of our
magnificent seacoast and mountains,
been a serious obstacle to the popula-
ton of our beautiful suburban dis
trlcts and injured property values to
the extent of many Millions The pest
is also responsible for much sickness
and the cost of medicines and medical
attendance. Republican legislation
hrst provided the means for scientific
study of the pest, and the methods now
employed will, there is every assur-
ance, rid New Jersey of it's age long
reproach and lift the state to a higher
plane of prosperity.
Purer Elections.
Corrupt practice acts were passed
this year by the legislature in accord
ance with the suggestions made by the
governor, who said in his message:
1.-THE corruption of the ballot has
been the subject of frequent legisla-
ton. A purchased vote is crime
against popular government, and the
person elected to office through bribery
has no more moral right to his position
than man who usurps it by actual
force. The purity of the ballot is nee.
essary to safe and honest government.
Honest elections and honest officials
go hand in hand"
One act makes easier convictions for
bribery and the other follows the
English act in enlarging the definition
Of bribery so as to include as nearly
as may be all methods of unduly in
1uencing the mind of the voter. i9
Jury Reform.
Jury reform has been 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 a means of political patron
age. Our sheriffs should be free from
the embarrassment of solicitation on
the part of any one for jury service
either for himself or for others.' Gov
ernor 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-
tions, duties similar to those now per-
formed by him in the preparation of
the list of names eligible to jury duty"
and the court 'should have the power
to add new names to the sheriff's list
before selecting the panel" The legis-
lature enacted law giving to the court
this supervisory power. There will be
additional legislation of this chara cter
until jury system, covering grand
juries, 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 vindicated 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. Il
The rapid multiplication of automo-
biles on the highways of the state
created a novel condition demanding
two years ago, which, however, failed
to have it's intended effect. The legis-
lature this year grappled boldly with
the situation and enacted law, with,
the necessary machinery for its opera
ton, which meets all reasonable re-
quirements 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,
We're 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 five 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 Re
publican legislation will have createdl
in the state many square miles of state
parks and reservations, with lake and
mountain and fOroSt Spapnry to mako