The Penn's Grove record., 1908-01-24
Senator eoiby;a Career:

Senator Everett Colby, the leader or
the new idea" in New JERSEY politics;
has been for several years past a figure
of national prominence. His movement
for reform, 1t must be admitted, has
brought about many changes for the
better in the state administration. Even
political opponents who cannot agree
with his views like him for his kindly
and open manner. He was born in
Milwaukee, Wis, Dec. 10, 1875, and is
q son of the late Charles L. Colby and
a nephew Of the late Gardner Colby of
East Orange, who was a candidate for
the gubernatorial nomination in 1886.
Senator Colby as a boy moved to New
York. He entered Brown university
and was graduated in 1897. After tax
ing a tour around the world he began
the study Of law and was graduated
from the New York Law school in 1893.
He practiced his profession until 1904,
when he entered the banking firm Of
Herrick, Hicks & Colby.
At the opening session Monday night
Of the second week of the legislature,
as was expected, a large number Of
bills were introduced. In the senate
the most important measures were for
grand jury reforms, for control Of cor
porations and for the creation of a
civil service commission. Senator Ack-
erman presented the civil service bill
and Senator Frelinghuysen the corpo-
ration act. By a concurrent resolution
passed, by both houses the attorney
general was asked for an opinion on
the constitutional right of the state
board Of assessors to assess second class
railroad property. The senate passed
a resolution giving to Colonel Edward
W. Fox, the retiring executive clerk,
the desk he has occupied for the last
ferty-two years, which position be
gave up with the Inauguration Of the
new governor.
Some Important Bills.
Senator Silzer of Middlesex, the Dem
ocratic minority leader, introduced sew
eral drastic bills. One of the bills pro-
vides for a public utility law the same
as the Hughes act of New York. 1t
gives the commission unlimited power
as to the fixing of rates. Another bill
he introduced provides for the vacat-
ing Of any public Office when it can
be shown that the incumbent was
elected by fraud or that there was
bribery or fraud at any stage Of the
campaign. This bill applies to the
election Of delegates to the national
conventions of all political parties.
In the house Leader Martin intro
duced a bill to authorize the creation
Of a public utilities commission along
the same lines as the bill presented by
the Colby new idea" wing of the party.
This commission is intended to replace
the present railroad commission and is
very general in scope, wide in range.
Control is given over railroads and
other public servants. MI. Martin also
presented a measure which prohibits
monopolies of all kinds, especially in
the fire insurance business, and anoth.
er making minor amendments in the
tax and election laws.
MI. Holcombe of Hunterdon intro
duced a bill providing for a state ap-
preparation for five years for the pur-
chase Of the franchise and property of
all bridges spanning the Delaware riv-
er between this state and Pennsyl-
vania. The bill also provides that the
governor appoint a commission Of three
to act with a similar commission from
Pennsylvania. The state Of Pennsyl-
vania is to be asked to pay one-half
Of the cost Of the bridges. Mr.. Thomp-
son introduced a measure to separate
state and municipal elections; also a
bill to erect a monument to commem-
crate the battle of Princeton.
A meeting Of the senate has been
called for today to receive the new ap-
pointments of Governor Fort.
JOHN L. M. KELLY.