The Morris County chronicle., 1908-02-04

of the canvass within twenty-four
hours from the closing of the polls.
Mr.. Hines also introduced a bill to
regulate the sale of machinery, tools,
implements and appliances protected
by lawful patent right.
Taxation of railroads and canal prop
critics was the subject matter of sew
eral bills introduced by Assemblyman
Mark A. Sullivan of Hudson, the
Democratic leader. The bills provide
that the state board of assessors shall
annually fix the valuation Of each spe-
cial franchise subject to assessment in
any taxing district, and such valua7
tions are to be included in the amount
of the ratables in such district, and
such franchise shall be taxed at the
local rates applied to other properties.
Another bill taxes the main stem of
railroad property and all other property
having fixed situs at the local rate in
the taxing district through which
either the main stem runs or such
property is located, and said taxes shall
be for the use of such taxing district.
A third bill amends the general taxa
ton act SO that all property, real and
personal, including the real and tangi-
BILE property having fixed situs used
for railroad and canal purposes, ex-
Guiding rolling stock and floating equip
ment, shall be subject to annual taxa
ton at its true value under the taxing
act of 1908.
Civil Service Reform.
A civil service bill was presented by
Assemblyman Thompson of Mercer
and makes civil service compulsory in
the state and provides for its adoption
by municipalities and counties upon a
referendum vote. The measure author
ICES civil service commission and pro-
vides that nine months after the pas
sage of the act all appointments and
promotions in the civil service under
the state government and after three
months in municipalities are to be
made only on merit and fitness, which
are to be determined by competitive
examination. The. chief justice of the
supreme court is authorized to appoint
commission of three persons who
shall constitute. the civil service COM
mission of the state, and their salaries
shall be SIS per diem for each day
devoted to official duties and shall
not exceed 200 days in each year. The
civil service is divided into classified
and unclassified service, and rules are
prescribed for examinations by the
commission.
Among the important bills introduced
in the senate Monday evening was one
by Senator Silzer, amending the en-
ployers liability act, so far as common
carriers are concerned, by extending
the time for commencing actions to
three years and eliminating the con-
tributory negligence clause of the
present law. Senator Silzer also intro
duced supplement to the election act
of 1898 and providing for ballot
similar to that In use in Massachu-
setts. Senator Bradley presented a
measure for the formation and regula-
ton of canal companies, amending the
present law by repeating the three
mile limit and extending the width to
250 instead of 100 feet, as the law now
provides. This bill has for its pur-
pose the aiding Of ship canal across
New Jersey.
Senator Robbins of Burlington dur
ing the session Of the senate Monday
| evening introduced Governor Forts
public utilities bill, framed on the re
port Of the public utility commission
of last year, with rate making powers
added. It provides for commission
of four members to serve eight years
after first appointment Of two, four,
six and eight years; secretary at a
salary Of $4,000 year, commissioners
i $1,000 a year.
To Pass All Governors Bills.
J A concurrent resolution was intro