The Penn's Grove record., 1906-03-30
STATE LEGISLATURE
Several of the Most Important
Measures Disposed Of.
EQUAL TAXATION BILL PASSED
senate Unanimous For Law,
Which Means That Railroads Will
Hereafter Pay to the State $4,000
900 More Than They Do Now.
Gspecial Correspondence.l

klnS equal taxation Dill disposed OF
this week, the Hillery limited fran
chise bill and the Jackson anti-fee
measure in county offices out of the
way, it is likely that there will be clear
sailing for the legislature until the
hour of sine die adjournment. These
measures were probably the most i'm
portant in many respects before the
present session, and they occupied n
siderable time. There are a number OF
other important bills awaiting consid-
Grafton, but it is not likely that they
will take up much time.
The last days of the session are
characterized by the usual hurry to
rush legislation, but so far this winter
no important measure has suffered on
this account. The work of the session
yesterday, Wednesday, was particular
ly heavy.
After a three hours discussion, dur-
ing which time there were various
amendments offered and defeated, the
senate by a unanimous vote passed the
Perkins equal taxation bill Tuesday
morning.
When the measure was brought up
on second reading Senator Minturn
offered an amendment, which was vot-
ed down. Senator Colby then offered
an amendment, which met the same
fate. Senators Alderman and Brad
ley presented amendments concerning
local taxation of railroad property,
but withdrew them again before a
vote was taken. The rules were
suspended and the bill placed on third
reading and final passage. Senator
Minturn in voting for the measure said
that in view of the fact that his
amendments would not pass he saw
that this was the only kind of equal
taxation legislation that could be Sc
cured at present, and therefore he
would vote for it. The bill was passed
by a unanimous vote, 81 to 0.
The bill is in line with the sugges-
tons of Governor Stokes in his inau-
gural address and in his first message
to the legislature. 1t means that the
IdllIOduS Will hClCd1lCl pay ohhudiiy
into the state treasury 100000 as
against $1,O00,000 which they now pay.
To Investigate capitalization.
In the house of assembly Assembly
man Martin, leader of the Colby fac
ton, introduced another reform resolu-
ton calling for the investigation of the
methods of capitalization of public
utility corporations. 1t is intimated in
the resolution that there may be irreg-
ularities in the capitalization methods
of such corporations.
Assemblyman Wright introduced a
bill in the house amending the diSOr-
derby act and providing that when
mothers abandon their children such
mothers may be arrested the same as
fathers are under the present law. The
bill was introduced at the request of
the state board of children's guardians.
Assemblyman ROBBERS bill prohibit
ing the employment of children under
sixteen years of age in mercantile es-
Establishments for more than ~ifty-eight
hours a week and before Z a. m. and
after Z p. m. was lost in the house.
The senate Monday night passed the
Avis bill providing for county boards
of equalization of taxes of three mem
bers, not to exceed two of the same
political party, appointed by the gov
ernor and paid by the state.
Mr.. Wakelee introduced a bill 80
amending the act of May II, 1905, re-
specting the preservation of the waters
of the state, that a special exemption is
made of Staten Island. The bill per-
mits the laying and operation of two
water pipes from Bayonne to Staten
Island on plans approved by the secre-
tary of war. The amount to be trans
ported is not to exceed a maximum of
100000 gallons a day, and the term
granted by the bill is to expire Jan. 1,
1922. The purpose of the introduction
of the bill, Mr.. Wakelee said, is simply
to put before the people Of New Jersey
the wishes of the people of New York.
Pension For Man Convict Shot.
The senate passed Mr.. Jackson's bill
providing q pension of $75 a month for
John Fitzgerald of New Brunswick,
who was shot by a convict in a riot at
the state prison two years ago while
on duty as a deputy keeper, and also
the joint resolution authorizing the
state sewerage commission to investi-
gate the subject of the publication of
the Delaware river.
Among the senate bills introduced
were the following:
By Mr.. Minturn-Provides for an adj
ditional common pleas Judge for ev-
cry county Of over 100000 inhabitants.
By Mr.. Jackson-Accepts the national
appropriation for agricultural expert
ment stations.
By Mr.. Jackson-Amends primary
elections act by providing for primary
elections of both parties to be held on
first registry day and regulates the
procedure.
By Mr.. McKee-Fixes judges fees in
connection with the appointment of
city sewer commissioners. MI. Mckee
also introduced a bill fixing fees of
commissioners under act for the i'm
provement of streets and sewers
By Mr.. Avis-Provides for direct
nominations for public office at pri-
maries. This bill is Identical with sen.
ate bill No. 10, introduced by Mr.
Colby.
Mr. Scovel's bill authorizing the gov
ernor to appoint a state board Of I'm
dertakers and embalmers, which pass
ed the house recently, was reconsider
ed Monday night, and it's title, which
"a found to be defective, was amend
ed. 1t was advanced to third reading.
House Loses a Bachelor.
Monday night a humorous incident
occurred when a resolution by Mr.. Mar
tin was adopted, reciting the fact that
Mr.. Berg of Hudson was to be married
Wednesday next. The resolution then
provided that Mr.. Berg be excused on
Wednesday providing he give a bond
to return Thursday. He was called be-
fore the bar and presented with a chest
of silver tableware by his colleagues
81