The Penn's Grove record., 1909-03-19
AMENDMENTS TO
ELECTION LAWS.
May Be Extra Session # They
Are Not Passed.
GOVERNOR MEANS BUSINESS.

of Committee en- the Preservation OF
the Game In the State.
Trenton, March 1S.-That he does
not propose to let the legislature run
away without passing some of the re-
form measures demanded by the peo-
pie was made plain by Governor Fort
Tuesday when he sent to the lawmak-
ers a special message in which he said
that If they did not pass before adj
journing sine die the amendments to
the general election law recommended
by the commission appointed by the
last legislature for that purpose he
would seriously consider the reconven-
ing of the two houses in special ses-
sion.
The reforms in the election laws to
which the governor referred were sub
mitted by former Governor Stokes,
Colonel Nelson Y. DUNCAN of Somer-
vile and Chandler w. Riker of New
ark, the commission.
The essence of the report is as fol-
lows:
Direct nomination by the people of
all offices excepting delegates to the
national conventions.
Enrolment of voters into parties to
vote at primaries in all municipalities
of 80, inhabitants and upward.
Recommendation of the Wisconsin or
Massachusetts ballot is made, and the
commission also recommends that no
ballots be allowed outside of polling
booths for any purpose or under any
circumstances; that the county com
| mittee be elected at the primary and
the state committee members elected
by the members of the county commit
tee.
If the legislature adopts the Massa-
chusetts ballot, then the commission
recommends that the state and county
ticket be placed on one ballot and the
nominees for local offices placed on a
different colored ticket.
The governors message was read in
both houses and ordered spread in
full upon the minutes. Heed was
given to it in the senate at once. A
concurrent resolution offered by Lead
er Frelinghuysen was passed ordering
5000 copies printed and providing for
the appointment of a committee of
three senators and five assemblymen
to consider the amendments to the
election laws suggested by the gov
ernor. Mr.. Silzer of Middlesex, Demo
crat, attempted to get in an amend
ment requiring the committee to re-
port in ten days, but was unsuccessful.
The bill, which seeks to add a num-
Der of additional state officers and en-
ployees to the list (which shall pass
and repass free of charge on the rail-
roads now or hereafter operated by
IN company in this state" had a hard
time of it in the house Tuesday. After
several amendments to add still more
to the list had been mainly defeated
and one by Mr.. Kenny of Hudson
making it a miSdemeanOr for any one
to lend his pass had been adopted, on
motion of Mr.. Sullivan, the Demo-
cratic leader, the enacting clause was
stricken out and the bill was killed.
Members of the appropriations COM
mittee ON Monday made clear that
they did not intend paying the eX-
penses of the state excise commission
appointed by Governor Fort after the
legislature adjourned last spring, pur-
suant to a joint resolution which was
certified to the governor as having
passed both houses of the legislature.
The committee gave audience to
John P. Dengler, stenographer of the
commission, and told him that, mas
much as the commission was not reg
ularly constituted by joint act Of the
legislature, his bill or any other bill Of
the commission could be paid by an
appropriation. The committee made it
plain that it did not consider that there
lay authority in the body to suggest
such an appropriation.
Taxation of Rolling Stock.
Attorney General Wilson in response
to the request of the house of assem-
bly, that a constitutional bill be pre-
pared for the taxing of Pullman cars,
coal trust cars, oil trust cars, car trust
ears and refrigerator cars used in in
terstate traffic sent in such a measure
with a report that he believed it con-
stitutional, and the new idea" men
asked that it be advanced to second
reading without reference. This was
done.
A Republican majority caucus was
called to go owe the proposed amend
ments to the constitutional amend
ments of last year. Mr.. Blauvelt of
Passaic had some amendments which
would take away from the court of
chancery the power of injunction in
many instances. and the members de-
cided that it would be wise to pass
the constitutional amendments so that
the people could vote on them next fall
without Blauvelt's proposed change.
William p. Martin of Essex. new
idea" leader of the house of assembly
in his effort to get his drastic public
utilities bill before the house started
a debate. The committee of revision
of laws had reported the Pierce bill.
but the report was in such shane that
no one could tell whether the bill was
favored or not.
Mr.. Martin saw his opportunity to
get his bill substituted, but was mel
with the objection of Mr.. Matthews of
Hunterdon that there could not be
such substitution, as the Martin bill
was in the Lands Of another commit
tee, which was sustained.
Then Mr.. Martin and Mr.. Pierce
changed their votes ON the adoption of
the report bringing in the Pierce bill
and sent the bill back to committee.
This leaves Mr.. Martin at liberty to
advance his bill, but as it is opposed
heavily it's defeat is probable, and it
is likely now that the Pierce bill will
not get through. The latter measure
is less drastic, providing for the rate
making power only in settling discrim-
nations and her subject to court re-
view.
Employers Liability Bill.
When the senate EMPLOYERS liability