The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-01-15
THE SENATE
in SESSION.
Important Measures introduced
by Senator Hi11ery to I'M
prove Legislation.
PROMPT REPORTING OF BILLS.

Senator Wakelee introduced in the
Senate last night his amendment to
the rules in reference to relieving the
committees of bills, of which he gave
notice last week. The amendment
requires vote Of the majority of the
Senate to relieve the committee of
bill, and that twenty-four hours
notice shall be given of intention to
introduce such resolution.
Mr.. Minturn offered resolution
providing for the appointment of
three Senators and three Assembly
men to investigate the increasing
cost of coal and ice, 'popularly be-
lieved to be brought about by mono
poles under the laws of this state"
Mr.. Robbins offered resolution
providing for the appointment of
five commissioners by the Governor
to ascertain the reasons for the in
creased cost of constructing the stone
roads of the state and to report upon
the advisabilityEof the purchase ana
operation by the state of quarries to
supply stone at cost. The commits
sioners are to serve without compen-
sation.
Senator Hillery last night intro
duced the following bills similar to
bills introduced in the House by AS
semblyman Wright, of Essex:
Providing for signifying Of prefer
ence of candidates for United States
Senator by direct vote Of the people
at primary elections.
Providing for a constitutional
amendment by which in 1909 the
counties of the state shall be divided
into Assembly districts, each contain
ing as nearly as practicable an equal
number of inhabitants, and which
shall consist of convenient and con-
tiguous territory, in compact form,
provided that each county shall at all
times be entitled to at least one mem
ber and whole number of members to
be chosen shall never exceed sixty.
The Court of Errors and Appeals is
invested with power to determine
the constitutionality Of such division.
Providing that a verbatim report of
the deliberations in both houses be
prepared for publication.
Providing that the President of the
Senate and the Speaker Of the House
shall appoint four stenographers to
each house for reporting the pro-
ceedings, the salary of each steno-
grapher to be 81 $50 for each Legisla-
ture.
Creating the Office OF state printer
of legislative proceeding, who shall
print 5000 copies of the reports re-
ferred to in bills Nos. and 4. The
compensation shall not exceed $40 a
page Of IA square inches Of print
| ing.
Authorizing the State Controller to
fix the rate of fees provided for in
above bill, and to pay same.
Providing for the distribution of
the verbatim reports of the legisla-
tive proceedings, one thousand copies
to the Senate sergeant at arms,
three thousand to the Assembly SER
geant at arms and thousand copies to
the Capitol custodian for distribu-
tion to the people.
Mr.. Hillery introduced the follow
ing:
Supplement- to Crimes act, Chapter
235, Laws Of 1898, by making it a mis-
demeanor falsely to publish report of
legislative proceedings.
Authorizing the President of the
Senate and Speaker of the Assembly
to appoint annually a lawyer to
draft bills, examine and reyise pro-
posed legislation, the President and
the Speaker to fix his compensation.