The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-01-12
GOVERNORS
MESSAGE.
LooNrlNuMp FRoM FIhsr PAeEl

sion and all acts of INSCRIPTIONS jus
tees of the peace, who for the costs
they receive encourage this class OF
litigation, would be ended. A more
simple and easy method of procuring
a license; especially by nonresidents
should also prevail.
Excise.
Whatever legislation may be enact
ed this year, one thing is evident-tha
the majority party in the legislature
cannot, except in bad faith with the
people, repeal the bishops law" Sc
called. 1t is pledged to maintain that
law, and the present governor stands
irrevocably 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
she 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 that at
which licenses are now granted in
<ys1oh ,n,1nicinnIi+v on1 oaaI n ,,,11;aa
ton for a license should be advertised
once for at least ten days before ac.
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 one 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 the present
licensed places bear to the present
population.
Third.-A simple and definite form OF
procedure to revoke license for the
violation of the law, with a provision
that license shall be ipso facto re-
voked on conviction of any crime or
on 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 person who had been convicted of
any crime which would disfranchise
him under our state constitutions
Sixth. All right to transfer license
from one place to another should be
prohibited.
Seventh.-All licensed places should
be closed from IL o'clock midnight I'M
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-
of both the civil and
criminal law demanded it, There is
but one way to accomplish this and
that Us through a jury commission in
each county. This commission should
consist of the sheriff and two citizens
by the presiding justice of
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, at
least correctional power as to them,
would be Of little, If any, more 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 a
review of any final order as to rates
by the courts, with a provision for
speedy hearing and determination on
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 APP
pointed
State Institutions.
The boards of managers of all our
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-
buttons are becoming so large and re-
quiring so much attention that it is
unjust to the state to ask the assump-
tion of so large responsibility with
out remuneration Each institution
should have its separate board of man
ayers.
do not think that the board Of man
ayers Of any State institution should
exceed five. There is difficulty to OBJ
tain a quorum, and meetings now fire.
quently fail for this reason.
But / am firmly convinced that the
purchase Of all provisions and supplies
of staple nature that are needed for
these institutions should be under the
control of single board or depart.
ment. The commissioner Of charities
and corrections, together with two per-
sons to be appointed, should constitute
a board for the purchase of all supplies
for the inmates which are Of daily and
general use.
The total cost Of our state institu-