Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1908-01-23

| In the administration of the law that
trials should be had and decisions rem
dered promptly. Delays impede JUS
tice and benefit only those who may
desire to hinder or annoy the sutton.
The pending report of the last COM
courts is one to which can give my
approval in practically every detail ex-
cept as to the method of constituting
the court Of pardons. 1t will, if adopt
ed, greatly simplify and improve our
judicial system without destroying our
procedure or method Of trial. 1t in
sures always a high grade of judge
In the court Of first instance, which is
of the utmost Importance in any sys-
tenn of Jurisprudence.
The court of pardons should be COM
posed of the governor and four other
persons specially appointed
The proposed amendments. If adopt
ed, will give greater efficiency in the
trial court, while reducing the cost of
the courts to the state by something
like $40, 900 per annum.
Retirement of Judges.
I have for years advocated the pas
sage of an act for the retirement of
judges.
The judges of our higher courts must
be made to feel on entering upon
their duties that their income is safe
irrespective of political changes, per-
manent i'll health in Office or old age.
The salary of the Office will not then
be an indueement to enter upon judicial
duties, but rather the opportunity for
distinguished public service.
Our state should authorize the re-
tirement of her judges upon one-third
or one-half pay in case they are per-
manently stricken in Office or upon
their arriving at the age of seventy
years after a consecutive service of at
least twenty-one years in judicial posi-
ton. This would make the judicial
position all that I have tried to in
dictate that it should be, and am sure
such an act will meet with universal
public approval.
Voting Machines.
There is considerable diversity of
opinion on the voting machine. Per-
sonal considerations should not control
in the matter. 1t is question of state
policy Under our form of government
there is but one way to determine
whether the people wish them or not
They must settle it for themselves.
To this end recommend that pro-
vision be made for the people to have
an opportunity to voice their senti-
ments on the subject at the next cleo
ton and that in each election district
where a machine is installed a vote
shall be taken whether the machine
shall remain or not and that in the
meantime no additional machines be
purchased.
Abolition and Consolidation of Boards.
"a The board of arbitration as ex-
listing in our state should be abolished.
1t is impossible to conceive how any
defense for its retention can be made
The drawing of salaries by public Off
Gals who do absolutely nothing and
can do nothing under existing condi-
tons makes the payment of this mon
ey out of the state treasury a crime
against public morality. A suggestion
of their further continuance is intol-
cradle.
(2) The present board of riparian
commissioners should be abolished. 1t
has four members, costing the state
F<-. oil ~s,.
sioner at one-half this expense, who
should devote himself to this work
and whose acts should be subject to
the approval of the governor and the
attorney general, would answer every
purpose and assure much better results
than those now attained
81 The state board of health and the
state sewerage commission, which cost
the state over $4,000 last year, should
be united
The sewerage commission should be
abolished and the board of health re-
organized, with a medical secretary in
charge, with president and five men,
bers to be appointed, who should be
reasonably compensated for their serv-
ices.
The cost of this need not exceed the
salaries now paid to the sewerage COM
missioners alone.
This action would insure better. re-
suit to the state and promote simplicity
and efficiency in the public service.
a. The potable water and the Pas
sale river flood district commissions
should both be abolished and a single
headed department established to be
known as the department of water,
with all the powers now conferred
upon these commissions vested In such
department.
% There are three oyster commits
sions, with bureau of shell fisheries,
costing the state for the salaries Of the
commissioners and other expenses
about $4,000 per year. There are ten
commissioners and one chief of bu-
rQau all salariad Tharo coomS M