Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-01-14

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 unscrupulous JUS
tices 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
license, especially by nonresidents.
should also prevail.
Excise.
Whatever legislation may be enact
ed this year, one thing is evident-that
the majority party In the legislature
cannot except in bad faith with the
people, repeal the bishops law" so
called. It 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 or
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 that at
which licenses are now granted in
such municipality, and each applica-
ton for a license should be advertised
once for at least ten days before ac-
tion 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 a 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 constitution.
Sixth.-All right to transfer license
from one place to another should be
prohibited.
Seventh.-All licensed places should
be closed from 12 o'clock midnight un-
til 6 a. m.
Jury Reform.
Jury reform is needed in this state.
For years public sentiment has ap-
proved it and the more efficient adj
ministration of both the civil and
criminal law demanded it. There is
but one way to accomplish this and
that is through jury commission in
each county. This commission should
consist of the sheriff and two citizens
appointed 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 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 provision for
speedy hearing and determination on
the appeal The spower 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 our
state institutions, except the state