The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1909-02-02
JUNIOR ORDER
FORCES FORT To
CHANGE FRONT
GovernOr Recedes from His Plan
to Pay States Expenses at
Schools Expense.
NEW POSITION TAKEN
AT JR. O. u. A. M. MEETING
Had Urged Legislature to Take
S75O,O0O from Public Schools
for the State.
[From a star Correspondent. ]


TRENTON, Feb. 2.--Governor Fort
has receded from his position In the
diversion of public school money to pay
the State administration expenses, haV-
ing been strongly urged TO do so by the
board of managers of the Junior order
of United American Mechanics.
Just how far the Governor has re-
cedcd from his plan TO reduce the in
Come of the schools, plan which i'm
mediately aroused the loudest and
strongest protests throughout the
State, will be seen when his final rec
concentrations reach the Legislature.
Governor Fort met last night the
Rev J. Morgan Read, of Camden: Jo-
seph NJ. Thompson, of New Egypt;
Grafton S, Day, of Collingwood, and
William II. Miers, of Trenton. man
ayers of the order in the State, and
Robert Carson of Perth Amboy, a
prominent member of the order After
"a long conference the callers an
nounced that they were completely sat
Isfied with what the Governor had
Rgreed to do They said that now
there was no misunderstanding, and.
while they would not be quoted for
publication. it was apparent to their
from his drastic position to take three
quarters of million dollars from the
school fund to pay the costs Of State
administration. 1t was said the Gov
srnor had given an absolute promise
not to divert the school moneys.
Forts Original Plan.
Bright and early this session of the
Legislature Governor Fort sent an ur-
~. I'D
promised to be between 100000 and
100000 in the administration of the
States affairs. The tax acts of 1906,
which are so little understood, provide
that the railroads shall be taxed by the
State on their main stem at the average
rate in tho State From the funds so
collected TIE State takes an amount
equal to ope-half of / per cent. of the
ratables, and the rest, the law re-
auires, must be distributed to the county
collectors ON November l of each year,
TO be used only for the current ex-
penses of the schools The Gov
ernor strongly urged that the State be
given three quarters of / per cent in
stead of one-half, which would take
away about $750,000 from the school
fund.- thereby causing the schools to
suffer to that extent
In lieu of that the Governor urged
that the 1906 law be repealed and that
The schools be supported by individual
counties and cities and that the State
administration be supported by direct
taxation,
Junior Order Led Opposition.
Public bodies and prominent citizens
in all parts of the State immediately
condemned the Governors plan. The
Junior Order of United American Me-
rhanics took the lead in the opposition
to the measure. A special meeting of
the board of managers was at once
called, and in few days was held in
Trenton Steps were then taken for q
we'll formulated campaign against the
scheme to take money from the schools.
and the conference with the Governor
last night was only one step in the
campaign.
The board of managers had prepared
q specially strong protest for the, SEN
ate committee which has the matter in
charge.
But the belief that the Governor will
modify his plans to raise money for
the State at the expense of the schools
may recall the matter from the Senate
committee.