The Morris County chronicle., 1908-01-14
THE STATE
LEGISLATURE
IcoNTINUED FROM FIRST PAeE. /

CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.
ana page; Cape May, assistant bill clerk
/ gallery clerk and file keeper; Cumberland
assistant secretary to the president and
doorl1eeper; Essex. committee clerk and
| gallery keeper; Gloucester, committee
clerk and page; Mercer, file clerk and
| page; Monmouth, gallery keeper and page;
| Morris, assistant to the secretary; Salem,
/ committee clerk and dOorkeeper; SOmer-
set, committee clerk and doorkeeper;
Union committee clerk and doorkeeper.
In the senate there viii be fourteen
Republican and seven Democratic
members, and in the house there will
be forty Republicans and twenty
Democrats. This will give the Repub-
licans a majority of twenty seven on
joint ballot. The Democrats last win
ter controlled the house, and the Re-
publican majority on joint ballot was
only seven.
Not Long Session.
There is a firm belief among Repub-
lican leaders that the coming session
of the legislature will not be long
drawn out. The state courts are over
burdened with mass Of undigested
legislation, and there is a strong SEN
timent throughout the state that there
should be falling off in the lawmak
ing. Governors for years past have
warned the different legislatures
against loading up the statute books
with useless legislation, and the time
has arrived when, it is believed, heed
will be given to these warnings and
measures will be considerably pruned
down
There is also considerable sentiment
for biennial sessions of the legislature
in this state, and it is likely that some
thing will be done this year to accom-
plish this end. All of the states with
the exception of about six now have
sessions every two years, and there is
no particular reason why the New
Jersey legislature should meet every
year. Yet there will be considerable
difficulty in changing, as the institut-
ing of biennial sessions will require
an amendment to the constitution.
Governor Stokes will send his last
message to the legislature next Tues
day. 1t is expected that he win re-
view his administration and make a
number of suggestions and recommen-
dations.
Important Legislation.
The most important measure for leg
islative consideration will be that of
civil service. Both parties pledged
themselves to it in their platforms,
and Speaker Jess on the day of the
caucus told his fellow members of the
house: 'sMuch has been given the Re
publican party and from 1t much will be
expected -Wem must show the people that
platform promises are made to be
kept" Leader Martin of the majority
as new idea" exponent stands heart
lily for civil service, so that it has Il
good chance of getting through the
house, and it is not considered as at
all likely that the senate will turn
down any bill that the assembly may
pass.
The Frelinghuysen automobile law
win be given another dose of repairs,
and Senator Frelinghuysen will be
chief of the repair men. Just what
the amendments will be cannot be fully
set forth now, as they are mostly stow
ed away i'll the minds of the legis-
lators. The chief one, however, is to
be the removal of the position of COM
missioner of motor vehicles from the
department of state, making distinct
office of it. The present commissions
er, J. B. r. Smith, also holds the posi-
tion of assistant secretary of state.
An effort may be made to attach the
motor vehicle enforcement and regis
tration bureau to the department of
State Road Commissioner Hutchinson.
1t is almost certain that the voting
machine will have a hard struggle for
existence, and its opponents confident
ly predict that it will be down and
out" The returns last fall were not
at all satisfactory to the majority, and
much blame is put on the voting ma
chine In Trenton the defeat of Tax
Receiver Frederick Gilkyson is laid
to this method of voting. His oppo
nent made no canvass, but was unex.
pectedly elected by the narrow margin
of thirty-two votes.
Last, but by no means least, is the
ever present prohibition problem. The
cold water folk have been greatly en-
couraged by the wave of liquor reform
that is sweeping over the country and
| are considering several solutions of the
question for this state. Local option is
now the favorite, but 1t will not be un-
til the session is well started that any
bill will be presented by them.
The Inaugural.
Details of the arrangements for the
Inauguration of Governor Elect Fort
have been completed The inaugural
ceremonies will be held in the Taylor
Opera House. this city, at noon on
Tuesday, Jan. 21 In accordance with
the expressed wish of the new govern.
or there will be no military display
whatever. The event, however, will be
one of great civic splendor. A commit
tee Of the legislature will escort Gov.
ernor Fort to the opera house in car-
riages The stage will be occupied by
members of the legislature and dis
tinguished guests. Rev. James NJ Lud-
low, d. D., of East Orange, Governor
Forts home city, viii open the exer-
cises with prayer. Chief Justice viii.
liam s. Gummere of the New Jersey
supreme court will administer the oath
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