The Jersey City news., 1906-01-09
LEGISLATURE AT
WORK TO-DAY
Reading of the Governors
Message the Chief Incl
dent Of the Opening
Session
REFORM BILLS ARE READY
FIGHT WILL BEGIN AT ONCE OK
EQUAL TAXATION AND LIMIT
ED FRANCHISE.

Especial to 'The Jersey City News"j
TRENTON, Jan. 0, 1906.-Precisely
at o'clock this afternoon, the l30th Leg
islature of New Jersey win be opened
in the Senate by President Bradley and
in the House by Clerk James Parker.
The Senate, being a continuous body,
President Bradley opens the session,
but because of the old Assemblymen's
terms expiring at midnight December 81,
the House is called together by the clerk
of the old House.
| Members of both House viii then be
sworn in by Master of Chancery and
Samuel X. Robbins, of Burlington. viii
be elected Speaker of the House and
Senator William ]. Bradley wiz be re-
elected President of the Senate.
When the heads of both House have
announced their respective standing
committees, committees win be appointed
to wait on Governor Stokes and INFORM
him that the Legislature has opened for
business and ask if he has anything be
wishes to communicate.
The Governor win then forward mis-
hrst annual message, which win be read.
While the contents Of the message are
not known, it is sure that the Governor
viii handle with no uncertain hand the
issues developed in the last year. He has
always been noted as reformer along
good lines and his honesty in government
is 50 far above reproach that the people
look forward confidently to statesman-
like message fraught with much food for
reflection with recommendations on legs-
lation that will be invaluable 30 the Iegis-
lators in the coming session.
Never backward in expressing his corr
victions on matters of public policy. and
possessing the wisdom to SO gauge mat
ters of moment at their true value, the
reading of the governors message Is
awaited with coufdence that he win
point the way to wise legislation On all
the vexing questions now besoxs he
people.
1t is known that Senator Avis. Of
Gloucester, has drafted bills on Mraited
franchise and ''main stem" taxation and
that they will be introduced at once.
Whether he or Senator Colby gets in
bills on these subjects first is not known.
1t is, however, assured that every bin
on these subjects will be given thorough
consideration at the hands of the lsgis-
lators.
There will be no flowers in the sem
ate. but the assemblymen will be show
cred with them, especially the Hudson
County Republicans, who viii be unable
TO resist the temptation to show theiR
appreciation of the fact that there was
Sold Republican delegation elected in
the county last fall.
The Colby bills, which. are to be intro
duced in the Legislature at as early
date as possible. were approved Satur-
day afternoon at conference of Essex
and Hudson Assemblymen, in Jersey
City. As advisers there were present
at the conference George L. Record,
Corporation Counsel of Jersey City;
Judge Higgins, of Jersey City, and
Gardner r. Colby, of East Orange, cousin
Of Senator-eleet Everett Colby. The Sem
ator-elect had expected to be one of the
eonferees, but was detained at his home
in West Orange by bad attack OF the
grip. All of the Assembly delegations
from the two counties were present, ex-
cept DIPPED, of Hudson, and Kaiser, Of
Essex.
Except for minor changes, the bills
are in the form in which they win be
presented to the Legislature. They ara
practically the embodimentFof planks in
the original lobby platform and the SINH
lar platform adopted at the Republican,
county convention Of Essex. The several
subjects with which they deal are rail-
road taxation, limited franchises, fran
chise taxation, popular expression %
choice of United States Senator's and re.
peal of the Hllery maximum tax rate bin.
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