The Penn's Grove record., 1906-02-02
STATE LEGISLATURE
Most of the Week Taken Up
With Public Hearings.
MINTURN ENDORSES ROOSEVELT
Introduces Resolution Calling on New
Jerseys Representatives In WASH
fnRton to Vote For Presidents Rate
~BiIl-Several Investigations Likely.

Jerseys Representatives In WAsn-
fngton to Vote For Presidents Rate
~BiIl-SeveraI Investigations Likely.
Especial Correspondence
Trenton, Feb. 1.-The state legiSla-
ture this year has established a prece-
dent which other legislatures are likely
now to follow-that is, in the matter of
disposing of public hearings early in
the session in order that the end of the
term may be devoted to the real bust
ness of passing laws. Hearings have
been given on most of the important
bills thus far introduced in the legisla.
ture. Much of the time this week was
given up to these hearings. The legis-
iature adjourned Tuesday at noon I'M
til next Monday night, but the hearing
on the local option bill occupied all of
Tuesday afternoon.
Short but busy sessions were the or
der Monday night. The flood of bills
which has poured into both houses on
previous Monday nights was n~oticeably
diminished this week.
In the senate Mr.. Minturn of Hudson
introduced a joint resolution to instruct
Jerseys senators and representatives
in congress to vote for the rate meas
ure sanctioned by President Roosevelt
and to lend their aid otherwise for its
speedy enactment into law.
Senator Mckee introduced a resolu-
ton for the appointment by the gov
ernor of three persons conyersant with
the matter to investigate and submit a
report to the present legislature, if pos
sible, on the taking and better protec-
ton Of salt water fishes. 1t carries no
appropriation.
Senator Hutchinson Mercer) intro
duced a joint resolution for the appoint
ment by the governor of three persons
who shall report on the subject Of mu-
nicipal government in this state and
determine what general restrictions
should be placed upon the powers Of
municipalities with regard to taxation
and the creation of indebtedness.
Senator Hillery's bill providing for an
additional allowance Of $1,000 for the
state comptroller's Office went to the
house, having passed the senate.
The senate in executive session Mon
day night received from the governor
the reappointment Of Theodore Simon
son as a member of the board Of equal
ization of taxes.
Nominations Confirmed.
These nominations were confirmed:
Eugene Emley, prosecutor for Passaic
county; William L. Lewis, judge of the
district court of Paterson, and George
K. Large, prosecutor for Hunterdon
county.
A bill was presented by Mr.. Minturn
in the senate which retains Spanish
American war veterans in public Office
during their good behavior.
These nominations were received
from the governor Tuesday and refer
red to the Judiciary committee in exec-
utive session: Edward S. Atwater,
judge of the district court of Elizabeth;
Benjamin F. Jones, judge of the dis
trict court Of Orange; David E. Tits
worth, member at large of the board of
geological survey; ]. Howard Willets,
member of the board of the Home For
Soldiers and Sailors Wives at Vine
land. The appointment of Theodore
Simonson as a member of the state
board Of tax equalization was reported
upon favorably.
The municipal corporation committee
Of the house of assembly Tuesday aft
ernoon conducted a public hearing at
the ~Statehouse ON the local option bill,
which is officially known as house bill
No. Is. This measure provides for To-
cal option regulation of the liquor traf-
fc of the various municipal divisions
Of the state.
Reform In Capital Punishment.
The hope of those interested in abol-
ishing the death penalty for murder in
this state received a setback when
Senator Hutchinson Of Mercer intro
duced a resolution calling for a COM
mission to investigate the methods Of
other states in Furnishing the guilty for
murder. 1t is understood that such a
move will meet with the=concurrence
of the legislature.
Leader Perkins presented a resolu-
ton asking the attorney general to in
form the house as to the constitution
atty Of the railroad taxation bills now
before the house. In explanation Mr..
Perkins stated that the Judiciary com
noiffaa hnd haa5 nnvanod for fhrao
days in public hearings on these bills,
and expressions of doubt as to their
constitutionality had been made by
lawyers concerning several Of the bills,
and the resolution was offered for the
purpose of getting the attorney gen
erals opinion.
Assemblyman Buck of Cumberland
introduced a bill to stop the corrupt
operations of politicians in south Jer.
sey whereby laborers are brought to
the polls and piled with liquor and
then voted when they are in a maud.
| lin condition. The bill provides that
| liquor cannot even be given away on
| election days when the polls are open,
Five Per Cent Tax ON Corporations.
A bill by Mr.. Calvin provides that an
annual franchise tax of 5 per centum
upon the annual gross receipts shall
be assessed upon all persons, copart.
n~erships, associations or corporations
other than railroads and canals tax.
able under the act.
Other bills introduced Monday night
were:
BY Mr.. Scott, providing that pc
iicemen in all cities who have honor
ably served twenty years and wnc
have reached the age of fifty may be
retired on half pay, or any member in
jured In the service may retire at the
same rate.
By Mr.. Wooley, amending the married
women's act 30 that a married woman
may u for personal injuries without