Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-03-09

man Backus, of Essex, was outspoken
in his opposition to the bill. Assembly
man Meyer, of Sussex, another mein-
Der of the steering committee, said:
II do not approve of some of the pro-
visions of che bill, but the Governor
wants them retained and therefore we
intend to put the responsibility upon
him"
The Governors big stick, as some OF
the newspapers characterized the exec
utive's persuasive power, forced the re-
iuctant steering committee TO favor the
bill, but it is doubtful IL those methods
will work with the majority caucus.
The Republican Senate promises a hot
time, if the Objectionable measure ever
gets to the upper house. Tho Governors
apparnt advantage will not appear SO
striking when it is remembered that he
is still holding up nearly a million dol
lars worth Of patronage before the
legislators, in this, the ninth week of
the session.
Unprecedented Record for Bill.
The Geran bill has so far an unprece-
denied record. In the first place, II
was referred to the judiciary, instead
of the elections committee, where 1t
properly belonged. 1t was one of the
early bills introduced, and as yet it
has not beer reported by the commit
tee to which 1t was referred. The
editorial page of this newspaper speaks
about the record of the bill thusly:
"The-record of the bill, as yet un-
reported, for nearly two months has
been one of secret conferences, pro-
found mystery, confusion of the public
mind, bewilderment of legislators, de-
lay of the business of the Assembly.
and, finally, at the demand of the per-
picked Democratic assemblymen, con-
ferences In which they could take part
and get an inkling of what was IN
tended for them to vote for. '
The d~eliverance will at least end a
long period of suspense, eve though
the nostrums in the bill ma cause dis
temper"
Assemblyman Backus, of the steering
committee, took exception to the pro-
vision allowing fifty voters to nominate
an independent ticket in the primaries
and the provision that five legal voters
may recommend a list of election off,
GERS besides those recommended by
county chairman, the final selections
to be made by lot. To James ana
Backus was submitted h section COW
ering the naming OF an independent
ticket to place the number of signers at
wha they thought just. The governor
said that he was willing to accept any
reasonable amendment on that issue
and suggested hat in certain cases, a
Congress district for example, 900 sign
ers would be equitable.
Leader Matthews Is against the adop-
ton OF the Massachusetts, ballot.
Assemblyman Ramsay did not arrive
at the State House in time to attend
the conference. He expressed no opin-
ion on the action Of the conference.
Governor Wilson is not willing to
have the section covering the choos-
ing of election officers eliminated. He
has compromised on all other parts
of the bill that have met with serious
opposition. The Democratic Assembly
men who were against the measure as
it stood IN the first draft, having won
all the other points they demanded,
may ask for the complete rejection
of that provision which gives a small
faction the opportunity to name cleo
ton officers. The Massachusetts, ballot
is sure to be further discussed.
state Gazette's Opinion.
Referring to the committee meeting
yesterday the Trenton state Gazette
says:
1.-THE House Democrats talk outside
almost to a man against the election
bills In their present form. Yet In the
presence of the governor the steering
committee, composed mostly OF men
who are a~ntagonistic to the measures,
voted 4 to l to send them through the
House in their present form. The man
- .A1zl ~, xx.hof he fo1Iyod 0t1tufAa
was Assemblyman Matthews, of Hun
terdon county, the majority leader of
the House, and the man who was
elected last fall to the Assembly with
out a candidate on the Republican
ticket against him. He is considered
inyincible in the county and the Re-
publicans would not put a man up
against him..
1.-THE main question now is whether
or not the whole House Democrats will
sustain the majority report of the
steering committee when the confer
ence with the governor is on Monday
afternoon. If the House Democrats re-
fuse to support this report and tell the
governor that amendments must be
made. Their there are only two things
for the governor to do, one being to
surrender to the Democratic majority
or to break with them and send out
his steam roller and compel them to
surrender to him. The issue is strong
ly drawn"
Evening SUMS Editorial.
The Evening Sun in its leading edi-
torial last night said:
The Big stick In New Jersey.
Fortified by the Sabbath days rest,
the governor Of New Jersey wa in