New-York tribune., 1907-01-09
STOKES SENDS MESSAGE
Jersey GoUermor FaUors Popular
Choice of United States Senators.
EBy Telegraph to The TrIbune.l

Trenton, Jan. s-Governor Stokes sent his annual
message to the Legislature to-day. The recon-
mendations which caused the most comment here,
and which II was generally considered would nave
the most far reaching influence, those for
election of Assemblymen by districts and legisla-
tion toward the indication of popular choice for
United States Senators. IAN amendment to the
constitution is the only way by which the system
OF Assembly districts be restored In this state,
says he Of the former. II recommend considera-
ton by the Legislature of a constitutional amend
ment for this purpose" OF the election of United
States Senators the Governor said: THE primary
act could be amended that at the primaries for
the nomination of members of a Legislature who
would at the next Legislative session vote for
United States Senator every voter could indicate
his choice for Senator upon the primary ticket.
recommend legislation to this end"
The Governor has the following to say the
question of equal taxation:
Equal taxation depends upon equality of valua-
BILE under the administration of fve hundred diff
ferent assessors without uniformity of method
some central equalizlng board is indispensable to
as the apportionment OF the railroad taxes to the
various counties Is based upon property valuations
eaR oa asg dse to be
equality of W res1t SI iis n an
mS 1StriPu9n Prds OF these common benefits and COM
assess assessed at at lower percentage of value than
seben tsx ssem a foGny d vii pay part Of the state
f9dth on the other hand under the same conditions
11uusoH county would receive smaller proportion
Of the proceeds of the railroad tax than it would
& se entitled to @ on proper valuation of it's ratables
violates the principles of equity and honesty. The
province is not to make new laws, but to see that
eed and aWs ha are m and @ MP ere
treated alike. without favor nrejudce.
Brief reference is made to the work and needs
of the Charities and Correction Department and
the child labor law. He has a good word say
for the Negro population for the stranger within
o,,rc for tba Co1Io
the work in progress of some of the various COM
missions On the question OF riparian rights the
Governor says:
The waterfronts Of New Jersey have, much TO
hence with one Exception our state has longer
coast line in proportion TO it's area than any other
thoroughfares add to the Importance OF its water
trunk lines Of trade and commerce. save one makes
It, with It's natural advantages, the future dis
and Newark bays the R 9 and and the Pas-
docks an emporium of the worlds exchange, ami
mate with the ships and flags of every nation.
for t the common use q {he freisht and passenger
alization OF this prospect
The Governor groups the subjects of judiciary
amendments and simplicity of legislation. He says:
Simplicity OF system and promptness OF legal
action are desirable both for the ltigant and the
ends Of Justice Continuous appeals and technical,
cases until final decision comes too late to make
SaDin5 Smen9s to the injured Justice delayed Is justice
Under our present antiquated judicial system
inevitable. Our judicial system was devised to
business of to-day has outgrown the capacity OF
our legal machinery. speedier decisions are neces-
sary, and judicial methods should be revised 10
keep abreast with the business demands Of the
The statutes repealed by the Legislature and acts
declared unconstitutional by the courts have been
so that the actual body Of law in force is now
ready for re-expression in simpler and moro con-
The time is ripe for n condensation and revision
this work could be at once undertaken without
further preliminary; l believe that such revision
would meet with the approval of the courts, bar
and people OF the state.
The Governor also pleads that the election
machinery, even though anti-bribery laws am
pie IN promise, should be adjusted 10 make
bribery difficult possible. lie seems TO think
the voting machine has good deal OF merit. de-
spite the strenuous opposition 10 1t manifest in
Snany parts OF the state
In speaking of Civil Service the Governor says:
% Good a demands both o. F5o6t' and Eff
the Best tn men GUio to enter 9ubc life Much Iess can
they be induced TO do so where position is the play
Of of'hs merit 1T PF'iSaSp instead OF the 'uF0 reward
Patronage is the blight of office 1t npairs the
usefulness OF administration by dividing It's
energies between appointments and policies when
ates enmities and hampers an adminstration in
The ne execution of IT'S PTopeT Tnft3n5 m 9 50 MTTFy
his command. In the hands Of an ambitious parti-
stes an oicehoders trust and demoraiizes public
life OflCeholders whose position depends upon
the service they tender the appointing power
necessarily give their first allegiance to that
in preference to the people
Public business should be conducted upon the
same basis as private business, and appointments
based upon fitness and capacity A tudicious cvil
Service law. providing that appointments-mu-
nicipal county and state-he based upon efficiency,
is well worthy OF your consideration.
In measures OF this kind conservative progress
s safest and best The executive OF n municipal
!ty or state is held responsible 10 the people who
elect him for the results Of his administration. He
cannot succeed. however excellent his policies.
less he surrounded by loyal official advisers. He
should have the right to appoint the heads of de-
partments upon whose support depends tho success
failure Of his administration. on no other basis
should he be held accountable for the work of his
immediate official family.
polntnent Is confirmed by the Senate. officers OF
any city county whose appointment is confirmed
by any legislative body persons appointed by name
by statute, not properly subjects of Civil Ser
vice regulations. Outside of these, with some few
exceptions, a Civil Service regulation would
licve political life OF it's greatest burdens.
A state Civil Service Commission would be neces-
sary TO tho execution OF such a law. | would vest
In this commission the power of confirmation over
all appointments to the classified service. and
would make all such appointments subject to trial
for a period before they are made permanent.
The Governor recommends the creation OF State
Water Supply Commission, to control and regulate
the diversion of potable waters.
CLEVELAND ELECTRIC SEEKS TERMS.