Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-03-16
MATTHEWS SAVES
FRESH bLUNDER
ON GERAN BILL
Checks Speakers Course in
Rushing Substitute Measure
to Second Reading.
UNDER PRETENSE THAT
IT WAS THE ORIGINAL
Administration Would Have
Been Charged With Deliberate
Effort to Deceive Assembly.
From a star Correspondent

fFrom a STAFF Correspondent.l
TRENTON, March 16.-Had it no
been for the alertness of Democratic
Leader Matthews in the House last
night the administration would today
be in an awkward dilemma. It's friends
would be charged either with an at
tempt to deceive the Legislators in con-
nection with the Geran election bill or
with having committed another serious
mistake.
Mr.. Matthews checked the course
that was being taken by Speaker
Kenny to obtain the advantage of a
second reading of he committee sub
stitute bill under the plea that 1t was
the original measure. Amid some con-
fusion and considerable; embarrass-
ment, the plan was halted and the
regular order again prevailed.
The laundering at the State Hous
for the ten weeks of the session is
causing endless comment here and
throughout the State.
The steering committees substitute
for the election reform measure was
reported favorably by the judiciary
committee. The accompanying report
was not signed by Mr.. Matthews,
chairman of the committee. nor by
Minority Leader McCran, both of whom
are opposing the bill. The three sign
ers to the report were Assemblymen
Geran. Simpson and Streitwolf. In
stead of the usual p~erfunctory report
of the hill Leader Matthews insisted
that the clerk read the report in its
entirety, his idea being to get the
names of The three sigpers before the
members of the House.
Geran Tries to Push Bill.
Mr.. Geren, introducer of the wilson
Record measure, Immediately moved
that 1t be passed on second reading.
The intention was to push 1t along at
least to second reading, thereby gain
ing a test vote on the proposition. The
governor would no doubt liked to ave
seen that. 1t would give him an idea
of strength on his pet measure. Mr..
Matthews moved that 5000 copies of
b amended bill be printed for dis
tribution among the members during
h interval between now n the e
session. which will be held On Monday
night. That tied things UP for that
time, but a little later Speaker Kenny
passed out a bill for second reading
and Clerk Dugan began to read.
Mr.. Matthews jumped to his feet and
demanded the reading of the bill in
full. 1t disclosed that 1t was the origf-
nal Geran bill, and the leader de-
manded an explanation.
How can rhe original Geran bill &c
placed on second reading when a sub
stitute has been reported and ordered
printed" he asked.
Nobody seemed able or inclined to
----.- - A. ---f-- ~
bill. The speaker did not explain him.
self, and the attempt to deceive the
members or the blunder remains un-
answered. The substitute is the crigi-
nal with a couple of uncomfortable
changes. There is another substitute
by Assemblyman MCGOWAN, of Essex.
1t fulfills all the promises of the two
political parties with regard to cleo
ton reforms. A lively time Is ex-
pected Monday night. when the vote
will be taken.
Monday night will begin the eleventh
wee of the session. For ten weeks
the attention Of the Legislature has
been diverted from all important mat
ters OF legislation to the primary bill,
which the astute and adroit George L.
Record flung into the Democratic camp
at Trenton, by the hand of Governor
Wilson, as an apple of discord.
Democrats Hope for Defeat.
Among the happiest men in Trenton
If the Geran bill fails In the House
will be a majority of the Democratic
legislators who will nave voted for it.
They are tied up to the personal for
tunes of the Governor and cannot es-
cape their obligation. They consent to
what they condemn, and if free to act
would oppose tooth and nail.
Said one Of the supporters> Of the
Geran bill in private conversation at
dinner at the Trenton House: while
i shall vote for the bill it is against my
better judgment. but I feel thai in this
matter I nave submitted my Judgment
to the Governor and that he has the
responsibility. / may be wrong in vot-
ing for the bill, but that's the way
feel about it."
Like the other legislators who ac-
coded to the Matthews plan of 5000
extra copies OF the bill Mr.. MCGOWAN
believes that 'pitiless publicity will
kill the monstrosity.
w lave the Governor on his own
game said Mr.. MCGOWAN. '.and he
canno object 20 our taking the peo-
pie into our confidence in a clear and
conclusive discussion of this measure.
Personally L desired to have the press
represented at our discussion of the
Geran bill with the Governor.
According to TIL Star 1 see the
Governor says he was willing to have
the bill discussed in the open. Well.
the fact that twenty-seven of the
Democratic Assemblymen present were
not willing to have an open discussion
and were willing to accept the Cover
nor's view to my mind shows where
the Governor stood on his views as to
spitiless publicity"
Half an hour after the resolution to
have 5000 copies printed was adopted
MI. Matthews asked Clerk Dugan
where the committee substitute was.
ION my DESK said Dugan.
You better send II to the printer at
once" said Matthews. las you do not
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