New-York tribune., 1909-09-14
NEW JERSEYS SPECIAL ELECTION

NEW JERSEYS SPECIAL ELbCIION'
The entire state of New Jersey holds a spe~
cal election to-day in order to pass the final and
conclusive Judgment of the popular vote upon
five proposed changes in the state constitution
The constitution as il stands was adopted in
ls44 and was amended in 1875 and in 1897.
Amendments cannot be made oftener than once
in five years and to be made they must be
pa.sed bv two successive legislatures and then
be adopted by the people at special election
That course has been pursued with these amend
ments as far as the referendum. which is to be
had to-day and whatever the result OF the poll
ing NAV be no further amendments can be sub
mitted 10 the people before the fall of 1914.
The amendments which are vOluminous, have
been clearly explained in our columns and nave
been many times published in full and discussed
great length in the local press of the state so
that every Intelligent citizen of New Jersey
should be able 10 vote upon them with complete
knowledge Of their intended and probable effect.
II must be frankly recognized that there is much
difference Of opinion concerning the desirability
OF some IL not Of all Of them. and this differ
ence does not by any means coincide with party
lines Both Republicans and Democrats are 10
be found among both the advocates and the op-
ponents of the amendments. Generally speaking.
however those who. like the Governor himself.
take broad view OF the case and seek the good
Of the whole people irrespective of party favor
their adoption.
The third OF the amendments, providing for
reorganization OF the judicial system, is so
strongly commended by jurists and so directly
appeals 20 common sense that IL ought 10 he
overwhelmingly adopted. Jersey Justice is
proverbial but il must be said frankly that IL is
maintained not because of but in spite of an
antiquated, cumbersome and costly judicial sys-
TEN. The proposed reorganization Of the higher
courts would make the administration Of justice
more simple. more expeditions, more certain and
less expensive 90 litigants. The fifth amend
ment is the most contentious Of ALL perhaps the
only one which is much disputed. II provides for
biennial state and local elections in years when
there are no national elections, for increasing
the terms of the Governor. Senators and some
local officers from three to four years. and Of
Assemblymen from one year Ia two years, and
for the election of Assemblymen by districts in
stead Of on general county tickets. Strongly op-
posed as some OF its provisions are particularly
the last named. there can be no question that It
rs generally in accord with the most enlightened
political sentiment Of that and other states. OF
the other amendments, one provides for reorgan-
ization Of the Board Of Pardons. one for the in
crease OF salaries OF Senators and Assemblymen
from $500 10 $1,000 and the third merely for
the renumhering Of articles OF the constitution
To these there should be no opposition.
Whetever may be the attitude Of citizens tow
ard the amendment they ought tc express Il at
the polls. Whether the amendments are adopted
or rejected, the verdict ought to be rendered. by