New-York tribune., 1910-01-17
EXClSE FIGHT ON
JERSEY HOME RULE.
Plan to Introduce Special Flec-
tions Bill To-night.


Trenton, n. j., jan 16.-The regulation
of public utility corporations is not going
TO have the entire stage in the Legislative
nails this year, for, unless present indica-
tions go astray, the excise question which
Tor the last three years has kept the poll
tics of the state in condition of fernent
is going TO play at least as important a
part in the deliberations OF the law max
ers- Thus far the local optionists have
shown little activity, the results OF the
recent election having been anything but
encouraging to them; but IL is not in the
further restriction OF liquor selling that
legislative interest is to be aroused In
stead. the law makers are to be asked TO
enact law which will Iegalize the selling
Of liquor on Sunday
In order TO bring about this ideal ex
else condition-from an Atlantic City point
OF vtew-Assemblyman Thomas II. Brooks.
of Essex, has prepared bill, which he
expects to introduce in the Legislature to-
morrow night, and which provides that on
the receipt of a petition signed by not
less than 10 per cent of the legal voters
the clerk of a municipality shall order a
special election, at which the voters shall
have the right to say whether or not they
want open saloons on Sunday. The bill is
called home rule excise measure. and is
similar to the one introduced by Assem-
blyman Keffer, of Atlantic City. last year.
which, however, did not get out of COM
mittee
different fate is in store for the meas
ure this year, nevertheless. for. as already
told in The Tribune. a combination be-
tween Essex and Atlantic has been formed
to bring about the enactment of some kind
n hFT1 -s,-
by Assemblyman Edge, of Atlantic, the
Republican leader of the House. and the
eleven Assemblymen from Essex, a meas
ure OF this kind ought not to have any
considerable trouble in advancing.
1t is not probable that such a measure
will be brought before a party caucus,
however for a majority Of the Republican
Assemblymen are known to be opposed 10
any letting down OF the bars, so far as
Sunday selling is concerned. Instead it is
the intention to have the measure fought
out on the floor, where, 1t is hoped. enough
Democrats will line up with the Essex. At
lantlc and PaSsaic members, who are also
said 10 favor the bill, to pass il. But
even if it should get through the House, Il
Will not get far in the Senate, and as for
the Governor, every one knows he would
speedily veto 1t. But this does not deter
the hackers of the measure, and they have
planned TO make a fight for its enactment.
1t is expected that there will be many
utility bills among the food Of measures
which usually marks the first Monday night
of the Legislature, for many of the law
makers have been busily engaged in draft
ing them. The Pierce bill, which failed OF
passage last year, will again be presented
TO the Legislature when its sponsor, Carl
ton b Pierce, of Union. has made some
changes he considers essential
The Pierce Bill, while not so drastic as
the Hughes law OF New York IS more COM
prehensive, in that it takes In the reguIa-
ton of all public utility concerns. 1t is
expected that the Republican majority will
redeem its one remaining pledge by pass
ing a utilities bill this year. and Mr.. Pierce,
IN going over his measure, hopes TO get 1t in
such shape as to meet the objections of
those who opposed 1t year ago.
If the present Legislature heeds the de
mands OF nearly every prominent lawyer
in the state, as well as of those persons
who have business in the courts. it will
speedily enact a law taking from the
sheriffs the arbitrary power they possess of
drawing iuries. Although the press of sub
jects prevented Governor Fort from touch
ing on this much demanded reform in his
annual message, he is known heartily TO
favor it, and, it Is understood will firmly
support any measure having for it's object
reform in the present method of drawing
juries. A bill of this nature was defeated
last year by an active lobby OF the sherifrs.
At the present time the jury system, es-
pecially in the larger counties of the state,
is used as an adjunct to a political ma
chine The polling lists are not scanned
in search of jurors; instead, the ward
leader submits to the Sheriff list of per-
sons he wants appointed as jurors and
the latter simply puts their names on the
panel. II is also known that some of the
large corporations have been able, with
the aid OF sheriff. to have men friendly
to their interests placed on juries before
which damage suits in which they were
interested would come.
OF the many plans 10 cure these evils
the finding the most favor. perhaps, is
the creation OF a jury commission of three
members, one of whom shall be the Sheriff
This would give the latter official a voice
in the selection of the Jurors, without max
ing him the sole judge.
That former Governor E c. Stokes is
going to take more than an ordinary in
terest in the doings of the Legislature was
eNIueAt 10 dil tloSt VINO saw the VICE
chairman of the Republican State Com
mittee fitting about the corridors of the
State House on the opening day OF the
Legislature. Many of his friends were of
the opinion that he would assume the ac-
tive state leadership of the party before
the Legislature is very old. David Baird
it is said, has no desire of extending his
leadership beyond the confines of South
jersey, and as he and Mr. Stokes are the
closest of friends. nothing would be more
natural than for the Camden chieftain 10
recognize the Ex-Governor in that CAPACITY.
in view of the fact that when seeking ad-
vice on state questions Mr.. Stokes is
usually the first one he appeals TO.