The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-04-02
TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1907


TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1907
THE DANGER attending the handling of
firearms was plainly shown by an occur
renee in Elizabeth recently. When the
last heavy snow fell citizen of that place
employed colored man to clean the snow
from the sidewalk and in the rear of the
house. The negro engaged another man
to help him and both arose early in the
morning and went to work The citizen
aroused from sleep and hearing men con-
versing near the house, jumped from bed,
seized his revolver and fired at the men,
and when he had emptied the weapon dis
covered that he had shot man employed
to work for him. The latter lived about
two weeks and then died and the citizen
is under charge of manslaughter. 1t is
simply case of reckless handling of fire.
arms, with loss of life on one hand, and
the torture of regret on the other, for the
man who fired the fatal shot would be-
yond doubt give all he possesses to re-
store the life he took. Perhaps he is to be
pitied but 1t is question whether there
should be sympathy for any one who
keeps deadly weapons at hand and who
discharges them without regard to conse-
quences.
MIDDLEsRx county has been stirring up
the parents of children by enforcing the
compulsory education law. County Su-
perintendent Brewster, after exhausting
all efforts at moral suasion, invoked the
aid of the law and had ten children taken
before a Judge, who suspended sentence
on the youngsters and placed them in the
hands of the probation officer. The re-
suit of this action was great and children
who had been allowed to remain from
school on the slightest pretext, nearly fell
over each other in their efforts to get into
school and the buildings in the truant
districts were taxed to their utmost in pro
viding accommodations for the pupils |
What happened In Middlesex might easily |
be duplicated in other counties 1t may
not be generally known but it Is q fact |
that parents should make note of, that |
if they connive at or permit their children |
to play truant or remain continually from |
school without Just cause, they are liable
to fine not exceeding 800 or imprison-
ment in the country Jail not exceeding six
months, or both. While this seems Sc
we're it is wholesome law for it is for the
benefit of the young and is intended to
prevent them from becoming ignorant and |
possibly criminal, for it is well known |
that ignorance is sure to aid in making |
criminals Burlington county has many
localities where the compulsory law might
be enforced to great advantage and it is |
quite likely that when the new school |
year opens there will be general appoint |
ment of truant officers.
ONE of the dirtiest pieces of political
work was done last week when Mayor |
Pagan. of Jersey City, presented charges
against Secretary of State Dickinson,
with the object of haying.the latter official
fail of reappointment. The accusations
investigation. but Pagan put them In
within a few days of the expiration of
the Secretary's term. evidently with the
idea that they would not be given the at
tention that they demanded. The Gov
ernor, however, got to work quickly, and
announced that he would make thorough
inquiry and would, after such action,
take the responsibility of retaining or
removing Secretary Dickinson. Yester-
day Pagan went to Trenton with a
bundle of papers which he left with the
Governor and then hurriedly returned to
his home. He said he had much business
to attend to. but he possibly felt it would
be healthier for him at a distance from
Trenton before the arrival of 700 admirers
of Col. Dickinson. After hearing such
evidence as he could obtain IN the short
time at his command Governor Stokes
reappointed Secretary Dickinson and he
was Immediately confirmed. This action
was made necessary as his commits
sion expired on Sunday and the Office
was closed all yesterday. The dirty
actions of his accusers are made plain
by this fact, showing their despicable
meanness in leaving their charges to such
late moment. Mr.. Dickinson has
brought suit for libel against his accusers
and has also promised Governor Stokes
that, in case of the charges against him
being sustained, he will resign the Office.
In voting on the confirmation of Secretary
Dickinson Senator Colby was recorded in
the negative, but he explained his action
by saying he was opposed to the appoin-
tee politically, and did not want to be con-
sidered as supporting such dirty politics as
had been used in this instance.
Beverly.
A series of special. services, in which
unusual interest has been shown, closed in
the Presbyterian Church Friday night.
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