The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1908-01-14
MUNICIPAL

1.-THE confusion in our statutes aris-
ing from the numerous laws passed re-
lating TO local government again sug-
gests the importance of a more Instinct
separation between State and municipal
'The increase in population of our
various cities has made the regulation
of their internal affairs not only n prob
lem of great Importance, but one
largely of local aspect.
municipalities can no longer he
successfully governed at Trenton
by h passage of general laws
that arc necessarily modified by the
conflicting interests growing out of
different local conditions. What
suits the city of Newark does not
necessarily suit Jersey City, and what
suits Jersey City Is not necessarily
adapted to the government of Newark,
Paterson. Trenton, Camden, Hoboken,
Elizabeth, ,Bayonne, Passaic, Orange,
Perth Amboy, East Orange. New
Brunswick, Plainfeld and Bridgeton are
liable to conflict one with another in
legislation for local purposes. The
people arc most vitality interested
I'm their local government. schools,
police protection, sanitary regula-
tions, water and light, local trans
p~ortatiOn, street improvements,
parks, libraries, arc all within the
domain of municipal supervision.
Taxation is almost exclusively in our
State a local problem, and is regulated
by local expenditure. The laws of
every municipality should be determined
chiefly by location and by the size inc
the character of the population. Diff
ferent police regulations are required
for a city of 250,0 900 than for one Of
10000. Stricter sanitation is required in
s.. large than in a small POmmnnitV-
Public parks are necessary in tho
growing centres, while not required in
the rural sections. Some OF our NUM-
clpalities are made up largely OF COM
muters, while others are industrial in
character. So varied n different are
the requirements of our many munici-
palities that no scheme of exclusively
general Legislation will give them the
government their needs require. At
tention has heretofore been called to
some Of the absurdities arising from
the government of municipal affairs by
the State. Mandatory determination OF
the salaries Of municipal officers by the
LEGISLATURE is only one OF the many Ills
that grow out OF the illogical com
mingling of State and municipal affairs.
an a titles should govern
themselves. They should not be
hnmpered by the continued inter
vention of Ia state in local de-
tails.
The Governor therefore recommend
he passage of an act that would con
'er upon municipalities a general char
er under which they should have the
lroadest powers of local administra-
ion e~onsistenet with good government
He continues:
Let each municipality have its own
or local legislature, with power to
BASS ordinances or acts for which they
ire now compelled to appeal to the Legis-
The State should, Of course, re-
its proper functions of enacting gen
raj laws, which are universally necessary
or the peace and good order of society.
should reserve a right of supervis-
on or. veto rs a matter of precaution and
Otherwise let the municipnli-
les leRfsIate for themselves. This pro-
Vision would go far toward separating
and municipal administration. II
would make unnecessary nearly IS per
sent. of our legislation that now en-
our statutes, confuses OUT
avs and causes litigation. 1t would
brow the responsibility for h con
of municipal affairs where II
beIOnEs-upOn the citizens OF
municipality. They would strive
With greater enthusiasm to solve their
particular local problems. and would take
bride in working out their own salvation
ind in producing the best results in the
ocal autonomy"
EXPIRATION OF ELECTIONS.
Governor Stokes discussed the vital
Importance OF the separation of State
md municipal elections. Last year one