Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1913-02-26
Assembly Refuses to Act on
Jury Reform Bill as Urged
by the Governor.
SPECIAL MESSAGE WAS
READ IN THE HOUSE
Governor Angry at Slap
Says He viii Lay Matter
Before People.
(From the NEWS Correspondent.)

fFToBs fhe NE WS COTTeSpoHdent.)
Trenton, Feb. 26.-The Assembly
gave Governor Wilson stiff Jolt
yesterday afternoon on the Zisgen
jury reform bill, when 1t refused to
take the measure up for second read
ing. When the assemblymen voted
against advancing the bill they knew
1t was the remaining reform measure
which Governor Wilson desired to
pass this week before he leaves the
office of governor. They knew, too,
that the state platforms of both par
ties last fall declared for jury re-
form. AS the matter now stands. 1t
is doubtful If the bill be considered
before March 10, when the Assembly
will reconvene after inauguration OF
Woodrow Wilson as President
After this action had been taken
in the Assembly Governor Wilson
expressed his opinion of II without
mincing words. In emphatic terms
he charged that the opposition to
jury reform legislation came from
those who wished to control the
grand juries OF the state in order to
break the laws. Governor Wilson
was plainly angry at what had taken
place in the Assembly.
The Governor was asked where
the opposition to the jury reform
came from. Like shot out of a
gun he replied:
"It comes from those who wish to
control the grand juries Of the state
because they desire to break the
law
1t had been rumored during the
ia
would go into Hudson county and
make a speech on the opposition to
the Zisgen bill. In fact one or two
persons close to the Governor stated
that the Governor was considering
such action.
Are you going to make any pub
lie speeches in Hudson county on the
situation?" he was asked. He re-
piled
--'I shouldn't be surprised. . ] don't
have to do it at once. / can do it al
President of the United States"
Before the bill came up in the As
sembly, Governor Wilson had pre-
pared special message on pury re
fr~m. IT was received in the Assem-
b. while the Zisgen bill was pend
ing. 1t was also sent to the Senate
1t called the attention OF the legis-
Iators to "the imperative necessity
oi effecting an immediate reform OF
the present system by which grand
and petit juries are chosen in this
state"
The Governor said many honora-
BILE and notable men have occupied
the office of sheriff. and then con-
tinued:
But again and again by obtain
ing control Of the Office Of sheriff.
the interests which have corrupted
this state, which have defied the
laws, which have built up selfish pri-
vate interests which have sought to
get the state in the clutch of per-
sonal political machines. have bent
the law to their own use. and ! speak
with absolute confidence. when I say
that l know the public opinion OF
this state now cries out for and de-
mands a reform of no hesitating or
doubtful character, which shall take
the selection OF grand juries out OF
the hands of the sheriffs. A bill Is
pending before you which seeks to
effect this object in a way which has
proved excellent in operation in other
States, anu WHICH ScSHS " ANU u
us our only present escape from
what Is in more than one OF our
counties, an intolerable situation"
The Governor urged Immediate
action on the measure, and closed by
saying:
"Those who hesitate In this matter
will lie under very grave respon-
sibility."
The fight against the Governor In
the Assembly began as soon as Mr..
Htsgen, Of Bergen county, moved to
put his bill on second reading. 1t
had Just been favorably reported by
Assemblyman Murray. acting chair
man of the Judiciary committee, in
the absence of Chairman Egan. II
was reported in the form agreed
upon last week at the conference be-
tween the Governor and the Demo-
cratic legislators.
1t provides for the appointment
BY the Governor of jury commits
sion Of two members In each county.
these commissions to draw all grand
and petit juries.
AS soon as Mr.. Zisgen had made
front'nued on na0e -