Pleasantville weekly press., 1911-01-14
Both Parties on Hand with
Reform Bills.
ELECT ACKERMAN PRESIDENT.
Republicans, True to Predictions, Offer
Many New BiIIs-kenny of Hudson
Elected Speaker-All Minor Offices
Filled After Sharp Contest.
Especial Correspondence

| floral display and galleries crowded
with fair women and admiring con
stituents the one hundred and thirty
fifth legislature was organized this aft
ernoon. Governor Fort had requested
| that the lawmakers get together at
noon. and the senate needed his request
| far enough to start short time after
that hour The Democratic majority
or caucus upon some Of the details OF
the organization, and it was well after
noon when that body got to work.
The galleries of the senate took most
| interest in Senator Low of Ocean,
whose Republican opponent, Mr. Ma
| thias, Supreme Court Justice voorhees,
refused to seat after the recount in
that county which disclosed so much
peculiar manipulation of the ballots
after the vote had been counted by the
election officers, and in Isaac L. Mich
| OILS, who claims to have defeated for
mer Governor Edward G. Stokes be-
cause the ex-governor did all he could
to prevent his election.
Mr.. Nichols was almost hid from
view behind a huge floral gift from
some of his constituents which covered
his desk, the last on the last row of
the presidents left, while Mr.. Low
lowered above the huge wicker box
Of rare flowers from Toms River and
Ocean county friends which encum-
bered his desk on the opposite side of
the room.
The Ocean county muddle made it's
appearance almost at the very start
| of things in the senate. After the
usual period of handshaking among
the senators, new and old, and Off
cials and the renewing of former ac-
Quaintances Senator John d. Prince
of Passaic, the floor leader of the Re-
publican majority, called the senate
to order and read the certificate Of the
secretary of state certifying to those
senators who were elected last and
who held over. AS soon as he had
finished reading the certificate pro-
test was presented on behalf of Thorn
as A. Mathis, Republican, of Ocean
protesting against the seating of Mr..
Low. AS Mr.. Low had the certificate
of the secretary of state that he had
been duly elected he was sworn in
with the others, and Mr.. Mathis pro-
test was referred to the committee on
aIn intn 10,
derstood that the senate will order an
investigation of the election, and the
allegations Of fraud raised will be
thoroughly sifted
Ackerman Senate President.
Senator George Silzer, Democrat, Of
Middlesex was made temporary presi-
dent, and after the usual prelimina-
ries had been carried out the election
of officers was proceeded with.
In placing Senator Ernest R. Acker-
man Of Union in nomination for pres
ident Mr.. Prince paid deserved
tribute to that gentleman. His entire
legislative career, he declared, had
been one of absolute independence and
integrity and that he was man who
by his ability and strict devotion to
duty had won the esteem and conf
dence of his colleagues ON both sides
of the chamber. Mr.. Prince recalled
Mr. Ackerman's valuable services to
the state in securing the Endorsement
of the civil service law and the other
measures Of benefit to the people
which he had fathered
Senator Johnston Cornish of War
ren was placed in nomination for the
Democrats. by Senator Osborne Of Es-
sex, but Mr.. Alderman was elected by
a strict party vote-12 to 9.
In assuming the office Mr. Alderman
appropriately expressed his thanks for
the honor conferred upon him and
said it would be his endeavor to prove
worthy of the trust confded to him.
He continued:
The responsibility for the enactment Of
bills into law this session is divided be-
tween two great parties, both having the
highest regard for the welfare of the peo
pie and both sincerely vieing with each
.other in a desire acceptably to serve those
millions who, while invisible to us here
are watching intently our every action
Let us remember. however, that any pro-
posed legislation will be searchingly in
vestigated by an awakened alert and
watchful people, and they will be satis-
fled with nothing short Of the highest
standards and accomplishments, and any
political party individual failing to
measure up to this mark need not expect
their further confidence.
Considering the states welfare as a
whole, our desire will be o<1o nothing in
any manner that will DIM the brilliancy
hamper the growth or lessen the world
wide repown of our splendid state, whose
motto Is fittingly expressed in the words
Of Liberty and Prosperity" To continue
to have 1t shine as one Of the brightest
advancing stars in the galaxy of states
Which comprises this glorious nation Is
an ideal for which we can all heartily
strive.
May we hopA that what is accomplished
here In legislative halls will prove to be
as much permanent good to our constit-
pents as was achieved for posterity bv
those who SO valiantly4 fought ON that
historic field, for we all know that there
is no satisfaction to be compared to thai
Of having been helpful to others
As your presiding officer l shall always
be at the service of each senator, irrespec-
tive Of party; will try to be fair and I'm.
partial ana will not Intentionally commh
any act that will cause the senate to re-
grst having honored me-
Propose a New Rule.
Prayer was then offered by the Rev
Sherman Zulie of Plainfield, and Will
liam G. Murphy of Camden was elect
ed secretary over Wesley Fleming