Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1908-03-02
Special Trains
Take Thousands
to Trenton.
REPORT A BILL
Chairman Moxon Stat d Today
That Some Excise Measure
Would be Placed Before the
House-A New Bill is
Expected Tonight.
uscial TO tha EyENINa NEWS.

Special to the EVENING NEWS.
TRENTON, Mar. 2:-The prelim-
inary skirmish in the fight over the
Crosby local option bill. House No
20, is in progress at the state house
this afternoon. The committee or
municipal corporations, which has
the measure in charge, is giving q
hearing on 1t. Great crowds are
thronging the assembly chamber and
the meeting is the liveIiest of the
present session.
Before the hearing began, Assem-
blyman John B. Moxon, of Union
county, chairman Of the committee,
met the heads of both sides, friend
and foe of the measure, and arranged
to give those favoring the bill two
hours and then two hours to It's
opponents. II more time is desired
he said 1t would be given next Mon
day.
The Anti-Saloon League of New
Jersey is leading the fight for the
bill. Rev. DR.. G. L. Meade, Of New
ark, its president, and J. Frank
Burke, its superintendent, are direct
ing their forces. Many ministers are
also present with their delegations
favoring the Crosby measure.
Senator John Hinchliffe, who Is a
Paterson brewer, General Dennis s.
Collins, of Elizabeth, and many other
prominent liquor men are behind the
guns of the opposition. Some of the
speakers against the measure will be
Rev. E. A. Wasson, rector of ST.
Stephens Episcopal church, Of New
ark: Rev. Father Hildebrand, who
will speak by consent of Rt. Rev.
Bishop O'Connor, of the Diocese of
Newark; Chandler .W.-Riker, repre-
ssntating certain business men OF
Newark, and Col. e. G. Stahl, OF
-renton.
Special trains were run to this city
from Jersey City and Camden, bring
ing ls.-ge delegations of friends and
foes of the bill. Seldom has such
crowds invaded the capitol.
VIII Report Bill.
Before the hearing began, Assem-
would report an excise bill. No
be taken tonight. Continuing, Chair
man Moxon said his committee would
make every effort to get all infor-
question and then would report q bill
deemed to be fair one.
\ Il don't say we will report this
measure" said Mr.. MOxon, but
some bill will be reported. / believe
In fairness to all the members of the
house bill should be reported and
let the question be disposed of on Its
merits"
Mr.. Moxon said further that he
understood bill would probably be
introduced tonight embodying the
views of Governor Fort as expressed
In his inaugural address on the ex-
else question.
The Governors Views.
In his inaugural address Governor
Fort declared he would veto any
measure modifying the existing law
against Sunday selling. He said also
he thought there was as yet no pub
lie evidence of a demand for prohi-
bition.
Then he urged new legislation
directed along the line of the better
enforcement of the bishops law. He
spoke for laws making revocatine of
licenses more effective and simple;
making revocation result upon a
conviction for the violation of the
existing excise law or upon plea of
guilty or non-vult; giving the COVER
nor power to remove mayor who
failed to enforce the law; higher
license fee; saloons limited on popu-
latfon basis and not more than two
on any city block; saloons closed be-
tween 1890 o'clock and o'clock a.
M; abolition of the right to transfer
licenses; a law for a state board for
the revocation of licenses; making
the existing act stronger by provi-
sion that where liquor is sold 1t shall
be presumed to be intoxicating liquor,
and lastly, prohibiting the establish
ing II saloons by brewers.