, 1906-01-10

Iney are ptTInltIeu y TAM ~ Sc VI oil
engine. An automobile capable of run
ming from fifty to seventy-ive miles an
hour is granted the right of way upon our
streets and highways and is driven in some
cases by amateurs who have had little or
no experience in the handling and man.
agement of such powerful machines,
whose eyesight is defective and who for
other reasons may be entirely incapable
of appreciating the responsibility they
lave assumed. 1t would seem that the
drivers of automobiles or chauffeurs
should be provided with a license after
proper examination, and this license
should be revoked upon the violation of
its provisions under proper rules and reg
ulations. The revocation of a license will
go far toward halting reckless driving, as
1t would deprive the chauffeur of his
means of livelihood and the pleasure driv-
er of his means of recreation. 1t might
be provided that reckless driving, result
ing in injury to person or property, should
be punished by Imprisonment.
The fee system in state offices as COM
pensation for public officials has already
been abolished. 1 recommend that it be
extended throughout the state, that the
offices of sheriff, county clerk, surrogate
and register of deeds be made salaried
instead of fee offices.
Jury Reform.
So long as juries form a part of our 5u-
dicial system, their character and men,
bership cannot be of too high a standard.
LitIgants have a right to ask the unbiased
judgment of fair minded men. jury duty
should not be the reward of political Serv-
ice nor be made a means of political pat.
ronage. Our sheriffs should be free from
embarrassment of solicitation on the part
of any one for jury service, either for
himself or for others. THE professional
Juror has no part in a system of justice.
Jury reform has long agitated the bar
of our state. The State Bar association
last wear advocated a change In the meth
Cd OF selecting juries. Last winter the
Hudson County Bar association prepared
a bill designed to remedy the present
evils in the methods of drawing juries.
They suggested that two lists of jurors
be kept, to be designated respectively a
grand jury list and a petit jury list, with
a card index of names and numbers; that
each name upon the jury list be designat-
ed by a number and that in the drawing
of grand juries and petit juries by law
each paper shall contain only the number
In lieu of the name which 1t designates on
the jury lists. This would seem to reduce
10 a minimum any chance of favoritism
IN the selection of jurors,
would suggest however, that the
fudge of the court of common pleas be
made the determining party in the selec-
ton Of the panel.
Assembly Districts.
The primary law passed under the ad-
ministration of my predecessor, Governor
Murphy. is a safeguard against fraud and
disorder. guarantees to every voter the
assurance that he may cast his vote with
out interference and have that vote hon
estly and fairly counted and secures with
In the party absolute and untrammeied
freedom of choice in the selection of par
H. 80 ona
Individual or organization can dictate
nominations. Every candidate has ar
equal chance and can appeal to the peo-
pie with the assurance of success II his
appeal is justified. The very fact that
the primary law makes possible the exer-
else of power on the part of the people at
any time is a perpetual reminder TO those
In authority that they are the peoples
servant and not the peoples masters.
Another step in the direction OF popular
government might be wisely considered
by the legislature. At the present time
both bodies of our legislature represent
precisely the same constituencies. The
house of assembly, as now constituted, Is
practically another senate composed of
more members, with a one year term. II
consists of multiple instead of individual
units. In many counties, especially in the
larger ones. imaginary districts have been
formed, and nominations are made with
more or less consistency from those dis
tricts existing. not in law, but merely In
the fancy of the nominating convention.
This fiction is not a remedy for, but rather
a popular protest against, the present con-
dition. The members in those counties
that send more than one representative to
the house of assembly have, however, no
distinct and separate constituency to
whom they may answer and to whom they
are responsible. Indeed, all these men,
bers might possibly come from a single
community or a single place within the
county.
Such a system invites machine DONNA
ton. On the other hand, the system OF
assembly districts provides a we'll defined
constituency from whom each member
receives his legislative authority, brings
him nearer to the people, makes him more
responsible to the voters. gives the people
a more convenient and direct voice In
matters of legislation and accords more
with the principles of representative gov
eminent. This can of course be accom-
plished by a constitutional amendment.
1t may be attempted safely in another
way. An act might be passed at this ses
sion of the legislature creating assembly
districts and imposing some immaculate
duty upon some public official. as, for in
stance, the clerk of the county. The fail
ure of this official to perform this min
isterial duty at once could be followed by
mandamus proceedings to bring the ques'
ton again before the courts. A final de
cision could then be promptly rendered
by our court of last resort, which has moi
yet passed upon this matter.
At the last session of the legislature the
house of assembly appointed a
to investigate the subject of the so called
lobby and report thereon, with recon-
mendations. That report will doubtless
be laid before you in the course OF your
deliberations. The legislature should take
such action as will shield itself from any