Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1909-01-15

years. 1t demands the constant and
undivided attention of a distinct head,
with the requisite inspectors and other
officers to enforce the law. All such
power should be exclusively in the
hands of this department. Arrest and
bail might be allowed by local consta-
bles or police for alleged violation Of
the law, but further procedure as to
settlement or suit should be exclusive.
ly in this department or its representa-.
tive, that all cases of unjust apprehen.
sion and all acts of INSCRIPTIONS Jus
tees of the peace, who for the costs
they receive encourage this class of
litigation, would be ende4 A more
simple and easy method c. procuring
a license, especially by nonresidents,
should also prevail.
Excise.
Whatever legislation may be enact.
ed this year, n thing is evident-that
the majority party In the Legislature
cannot, except in bad faith with the
people, repeal the bishops law" SO
called. 1t is pledged to maintain that
law, and the present governor stands
i~rrevocably committed to that statute.
There Is need for greater uniformity
In granting licenses, and the present
method of having licenses granted by
an excise board, appointed by the
mayor or court, In some places and
elected in others and then In other
places having the common council OF
the court itself grant the licenses is
wrong.
The following notifications of the
excise laws are suggested:
First. - The minimum license fee
should be fixed on the basis of the
population of the local municipalities,
provided that in no case should it be
less in any municipality than hat at
which licenses are now granted In
such municipality, and each applica-
ton for a license should be advertised
once for at least zen days before &C.
ton Is taken thereon that objection
may be made thereto and heard,
Second. The number of licensed
places allowed should be limited to
not exceeding n for each 500 people,
provided that no greater number OF
licenses should be granted in any
place, where the present percentage
is greater than this, than h present
licensed places bear to the present
population.
Third.-A simple and definite form OF
procedure to revoke a license for the
violation of the law, with a provision
that a license shall be ipso facto re-
voked on conviction OF any crime OF
on a plea of guilty or non vult.
Fourth.-No license should be grant
ed to any person not a native or natu.
rallied citizen of the United States.
Fifth.-No license should be granted
to a person who had been convicted OF
any crime which would disfranchise
him under our state constitution.
Sixth.-All right to transfer a license
from one place to another should be
prohibited.
Seventh.-AIl licensed places should
Dbe crossed from II o'c1ocK Midnight IN
til 6 a. M.
Jury Reform.
Jury reform is needed In this state
For years public sentiment has APP
proved it and the more efficient ad
ministration of both the civil and
criminal law demanded it. There is
but n way to accomplish this and
that is through a jury commission III
each county. This commission should
consist of the sheriff and two citizens
appointed by the presiding justice oil
the supreme court sitting in each OF
the circuit courts of the state. The act
should define specifically how the jury
list is to be made up and the jury
drawn, and the statute should relate
to both grand and petit jurors.
Public Utilities.
The last session of the legislature
through a disagreement between the
two houses as to the terms of an act
failed to pass a public utilities bill
such as public sentiment seemed to de.
mand.
The point upon which the Legislation
failed at the last session seems to have
been over the rate making power. A
bill without some control over rates, al
least a correctional power as to them
WOuiu DC VI lltliS, IL uuy, IlOIe value
than our present railroad commission
act. The commission should have the
power to revise and correct rates
shown to be unreasonable upon com
plant and after hearing, subject to q
review of any final order as to rates
by the courts, with a provision for
speedy hearing and determination Oh
the appeal. The power which is now
In the court of chancery to regulate
grade crossings should also be trans.
ferred to this commission when ap.
pointed.
State Institutions.
The boards Of managers of all ouI
state institutions, except the state
prison, serve without pay. 1t is a
thankless task and one in the perform.
ance of which there may be at any
time unpleasant criticism. These insti.