Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-04-02

But recent revelations in the Even
MING STAR have disclosed certain
startling conditions, which eyerybods
did not know, for instance:
1t was not generally known that the
Public Service Corporation and the
powerful East Jersey Water Compan,A
had Joined forces for the .urpose or
obtaining legislation helpful to them
and injurious to the people
II was 4 surprise 10 many 10 fini
Essex's senator Harry v. Osboire
listening 10 the seductive voice of rhe
corporation lobbyist and submitting IL
enrolment within that pernicious circle
1t was inconceivable. that she arro-
ganee of corporate interests had been
so pronounced as to force their repre-
sentatiyes TO stalk into the guber-
Material chamber and attempt to coerce
the chief executive of the State.
Equally amazing was the passage OF
the Pennsy subway bill, which gives
the Board Of Works power to contract
with the railroad company. If the bill
was n simon-pure honest measure
why was not the bill so constructed as
to permit the local authorities to pass
an ordinance covering the franchise
which would give the Mayor yetn
power? Why was the bill left in such
manner that the Board Of Works AMI
the railway representatives could lrees
together and discuss in the seclusion
of some quiet retreat. with the light
OF public gaze excluded. the terms OF
a contract granting away the tinle-
immemorial rights OF the people
The Lee bill is more appropriately
known as the Military Park grab hii.
because it gives the trolley people the
right to loop. the park without first
receiving the consent Of the property
owners Of any fraction of them. No
previous Legislature ever dared to do
so gross an injustice TO the people. The
trolley people have sought a looll
around Military Park ever since the
trolley first came into being in this
city. Property along Park
place objected. and the requisite con
sent. under the traction act of 1885,,
could never be secured. The present
Legislature, in passing the Lee bill
overrides the precedent in the trac-
ton act. ignores the people and gives
the right 1t is the most iniquitious
measure ever presented in the Legisla
ture.
The fake amendments to the bill dc
not alter the original bill. The amend
ments amount to nothing. The essen
tial amendment-that calling for the
consent of the propeNy-o
/ speedily defeated.
senator Osborne's DfsloyaIty.
Like a thunderbolt from the blue sky
/ came the flop in the Senate of Essex's
/ Senator, Harry V. Osborne. People
who looked to the promising young SEN
ator to fight their battles against the
4 corporate interests were stunned TO
i learn that he had thrown off all restraint
4 and boldly became sponsor for the troll
/ ley grab bill. His vote ON the amend
ments showed plain as holy writ chat he
/ had deserted his constituents and gone
over to the corporations. Following the
consideration of the amendments. Os-
borne showed his hand by moving Go
push the bill to third reading.
That was a mistake on the part OF
the promising young Senator that may
prove fatal Such disregard of the peo-
pies rights would be expected from
Senators Wakelee or Alderman or
others known to be controlled by the
corporate influences, but Osborne was
classified in another column. The crisis
found him lacking, to say the least. in
sufficient moral courage to Withstand
the plea of the corporations.
Mr. Osborne voted no when the pro-
posed amendment of Senator Silzer was
put to make it necessary to get
consent for trolley extensions of at
least so per cent. OF the property own
ers. He isn't willing that single
property owner shall have a say as to
the laying of tracks.
The investigations in Pittsburg and
Albany and Columbus are shocking the
whole country. What would an in
vestigation Of the sinister work for the
Lee bill at Trenton show?
There have been more corporation
| bills of shady character before the