Pleasantville weekly press., 1911-01-14
members to consider it as the floor oi
the senate

members to consider it as the floor OF
the senate.
The Republicans Immediately op-
posed the proposed rule, claiming that
the majority Of the senate should rule
and that small minority should not
be given the power to dictate to a
committee.
I Senators Silzer, Osborne and Fielder
of Hudson strenuously advocated the
adoption Of the rule, and the Middle
sex man said that 1t was not right that
a majority of a committee-two sena-
tors-should be permitted to be given
the power to decide the fate of any
bill, no matter how important 1t was,
to the people of the state, The mo-
tion was defeated by party vote.
The Democrats tried 1t again later
when Mr.. Prince, the Republican lead,
er, introduced a resolution authorizing
the sergeant-at-arms to appoint one
bill clerk, one doorkeeper and one
page In addition to those already pro
vided for. This was opposed by the
Democrats upon the ground of econ
omy. Last year they said the sen
ate carried number of useless officers
on the payroll and that there was no
need this year for the additional Of
ficers the resolution called for. The
new officers provided for in the reso-
luton, the Republicans contended,
were needed to carry on efficiently the
business of the senate, and the motion
was adopted by the usual party vote.
Many Reform Measures Expected.
The predictions made last week that
the Republican senators would en-
deavor to enact reform measures as
soon as they could were to some ex-
tent verified at this session.
Bills were introduced by Republicans
giving the public utilities commission
power to regulate rates, corrupt
practices act, abolishing the county
boards of taxation and compelling the
publication Of campaign expenses.
Senator Gebhardt of Hunterdon also
introduced rate regulating amend
ment to the public utilities law, and
Senator Edge put in one providing for
reciprocal automobile privileges with
the citizens of other states.
A bill by Senator Leavitt of Mercer
repeals the act of last year which Gre
ated the office of registrar in certain
counties. The act, it was said, was
passed purposely to provide place in
Bergen county for Speaker Harry
Ward, but so much adve- Sc criticism
of the scheme was aroused that Mr..
Ward ran for county clerk last fall and
was defeated. The Democrat who was
elected registrar has declined to take
the office, saying it was an unneces-
sary one The law applies to Mercer
county, but as it is not wanted there
pealed.
The house was called to order by
James Parker, clerk of the last assem-
bly,, and the entire sixty members
were sworn in in relays. Edward Ken
ny of Hudson was elected speaker
over Amos H. Radcliffe of Passaic,
and Daniel Dugan of Essex was made
clerk. After being escorted to the
chair Mr.. Kenny made brief and to
the point speech of acceptance. He
expressed his appreciation of the hon
or conferred upon him and declared
his intention of discharging the duties
of the speakership in a fearless man
ner, fair and impartial to all irrespec-
tive Of party. He also said that he
proposed to introduce a reform which
will be appreciated by all except the
lobbyists and the representatives of
the special interests who crowd the
floors of the chamber and seriously in
terfere with the business of the house.
He proposed, he declared, to enforce
the rule which prohibits the presence
on the floor of persons not authorized
to be there.
When it came to filling the minor
offices 1t was noticed that the mum
Der was smaller than that of last year,
and Mr.. McCran. the Republican lead
er, offered a substitute providing for
more pages and doorkeepers. 1t was
of course opposed by the Democrats,
Mr.. Matthews, the leader, contending
that the list which the majority had
provided contained all the Offices pro-
vided by the statute and enough to
properly conduct the business Of the
house.
Speaker Kenny then announced his
committees and the house adjourned to
Monday.