Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1908-03-26
ANOTHER LOCAL OPTION ELL
Secretary of War Taft and Baron
Takahira Address Joint Session.
Bryan Couldn't Accept Invitation to
Speak-ResoIution For Adjournment
Sine Die on April 3.
Esneoial Correspondence.l

been one of great activity in legisla-
tive circles, and as the end draws near
the law mill grinds faster The prin-
cipal events of the week were the
cordial reception by the legislature to
Secretary Of War William H. Taft
and Baron Takahira, the japanese am
bassador; the lengthy debates on the
public utilities bill, the visit to the
| capital of the Duchess of Marlborough
and the discussion as to sine die adj
journment Secretary Taft and Baron
Takahira, accompanied by several
other Washingtonians, came to Tren-
ton Monday night to be the guests of
honor, with Governor Fort, at the an
| nual dinner of the Trenton chamber of
commerce. In addition to this, the
secretary and the baron We're received
sey legislature, an honor seldom ac
corded any one They were introduced
by the governor, who, at the re-
quest of the legislature, broke Gus
tom of long years standing by APP
pearing in the legislative halls during
tinuous ovation for Secretary Taft.
He was royalty received by both Dem
0crats and Republicans, for he made
no mention of politics in any of his
speeches save to hint at it before the
legislature by declaring himself OPP
posed to the idea of centralizing all
power and authority in the federal
government at Washington. Other
than this the secretary confined his
remarks to strictly business topics. ex-
planning the great opportunity for
trade in the orient, the need of ship
subsidy and the like.
At the statehouse an informal recep-
ton was held in the executive apart
ments Decorations of flags. flowers
VIVIAN NJ. LEWIS, CLERK IN CHANCERY.
and bunting were arranged for the oc-
casion. Following the reception of the
governor, the members of the senate
and house of assembly assembled in
joint session in the assembly chamber,
with President of the Senate Thomas
J. Hillery in the chair Governor Fort
and his guest proceeded down a lane
of eager and enthusiastic persons amid
deafening applause. Secretary Taft
was Introduced and made a brief adj
dress. He declared that it would be
bad thing for the country if the time
should ever come when too much pow
err should be centralized on the Potomac
and not enough left with the different
states, he holding that the individual
states had their own places and mis-
sions to fill. He declared that their
privileges and duty should never be
taken from them.
Governor Fort then introduced the
japanese ambassador, paying a high
tribute to him. Baron Takahira in his
address to the solons delivered mes
sage of peace and good will from ia
pan. Following the addresses a recep-
ton was held in the executive cham
Der. After the event at the capitol the
Trenton organizations banquet was
held, and this was attended by 800
persons.
Public Utilities Prospects.
The public utilities measures are in
peculiar shape. The house passed a
bill yesterday which is the counterpart
of the New York Hughes law and with
the ratemaking power in it. The SEN
ate in considering senate committee
substitute on the same matter defeated
the ratemaking clause. The whole
subject is now in about the same shape
rs the civil service bill. The two
houses cannot agree on it, and a con
ference committee will in all proba-
bility be appointed This looks ex-
ceedingly bad for public utilities leg
islation this year.
Senate's Stormy Session.
The senate committee substitute for
the Colby -Gebhardt- Robbins public
utilities bills occupied the entire time
Of the senate yesterday. The argu-
ments of the senators were very warm,
and several undignified squabbles re-
suited. Senator Colby upheld the rate
making amendment. MessIs. Bradley
and Wakelee took exception to an as
sertion of Mr.. Colby which they con
strued as an imputation upon their in
dependence The two gentlemen heat
edly resented the remark The rate
making amendment was lost by a vote
of II to 4.
Amendments submitted by Mr.. Rob
bins which were adopted were: Reduc-
ing the terms of Office of the four COM
missioners to one, two and three and
four years and permitting commissions
ers to hold stock and bonds in corpo-
rations subject to the provisions of the
act. Mr.. Frelinghuysen wanted the
whole matter laid over for year and
have senate committee investigate
the subject. He offered a resolution
to this effect, and Mr.. Gebhardt cried
excitedly that it was a cowardly action
and out Of order Mr.. Frelinghuysen
replied with spirit and defied Mr. Geb-
hardt to prove wherein he had been
guilty of physical or political coward
ice. Mr.. Frelinghuysen's resolution was
e.. I L