Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-01-12
WATGHWORD OF
WILSON'S FIRST MESSAGE
Numerous Methods of Simpli-
flying State Government
Are Suggested

TRENTON, N. j. Jan. 9.-When the
16sth New Jersey legislature convened
here today it was with the idea Of quick
ly enacting progressive legislation. Re-
publicans control the house and have a
majority Of one in the senate.
The program of new laws includes the
elimination Of all grade crossings in New
Jersey. The Democratic plan of work
doesn't differ materially from the Re-
publican schedule.
WILSON'S MESSAGE.
woodrow Wilson, governor of New Jer-
sey, sent his first annual message to the
legislature today. He deals almost ex-
clusively with economy and the necessi-
ty of cor-ordinating and simplifying the
state government. Such matters, says
the governor, admit of no partisan bias,
and whatever differences of judgment
may arise with regard to them they
need have no feeling Of party flavor. We
can get at the heart of things If we
choose, and we could not render the state
a greater service than by so doing.
Wastefulness and inefficiency are them
selves virtually forms Of graft. They af-
ford fruitfsl opportunities for every kind
of abuse.
'It is to the questions of efficiency and
ln6FcIOIes IudL L AhNAbS
your serious attention"
The governor points out that the num-
Der of state boards is confusing, and
recommends the appointment of COM
mission ito take into consideration the
whole question of simplifying and CO.
ordinating the administrative agencies Of
the state" with the request that the
commission, act promptly and harmoni-
ously and report to the legislature as soon
as possible.
He adds that the commissions inquiry
ought to take in the question of equita-
bly, adjusting assessment and taxation,
and should include very thorough ex-
animation of our tax system itself; its
basis and principle"
THE PUBLIC HEALTH.
Further, the governor recommends in
vestigation and legislation looking to
serviceable cooperation between the
charitable and correctional institutions
in the state; dwells on the need of re-
formatory for women, and adds that the
machinery for supervising the public
health is woefully inadequate IT intend
no criticism of our excellent board Of
health" he says, ''but only repeat the
testimony of it's own members. Every
sort of infection should be guarded
against. A costly war must be waged
on the mosquito and the house fly. The
dissemination of poisonous gases from
factories, from locomotive engines and
from vast bodies of smoke which pervade
our cities, must be prevented"
ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS.
"It seems to me of the first conse-
quence," continues the message, that
the promise we have made the people Of
the state, that we would at once take the
initial steps necessary to effect a re-
-, ~ dfgfrf - n
place of county delegations to the legis-
lature should be redeemed, and that a
constitutional amendment for that pur-
pose should be submitted to the vote of
the people at the earliest possible time.
1t is equally imperative, as 1t seems to
me, that the use of the courts of Justice
by the people should be simplified and
facilitated. Our legal procedure is too
technical, too complicated, too expensive,
too little adapted to the use of the poor
and unschooled. With splendid courts
of undoubted integrity we nevertheless
feel that the rich litIgant can tire the
poor Iitigant out. We are proud of our
bench; why should we not put ourselves
in a position to be equally proud OF our
administration of justice as based upon
the best reformed models? 1t is not the
courts we wish to change so much as the
methods of procedure.
FOR JURY REFORM.
Both parties are pledged also to take
up the matter of jury reform; to con-
slider in particular the methods by
which grand juries are chosen in order
to devise, If possible, process of
choice by which abuses of a serious
kind which have arisen to the scandal
of public opinion may hereafter be pre-
vented. / commend this deeply impor-
tant subject to your very earnest con-
sideration.
FACTORY REGULATION.
"Our worl1men very justly demand
further legislation with regard to the
inspection and regulation of factories
and workshops, and recommend legis-
lation Of this kind to your very care
full and earnest consideration. recon-
mend, moreover, the passage at an ear
ly date of an act requiring the rail-
ways operating within this state to pro-
vida fhair trains with adod1afa crews