The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-01-14
RADICAL REVISION OF
CORPORATION STATUTES
Calls Attention to Laxity of States
Laws and Expresses Hope N. J. will
Never Again be Called "Mother Of
Trusts'-Urses Reform Jury System
by Associated Press.)

Trenton N. j., Jan. 14.-President
elect Woodrow Wilson, in his capacity
as Governor of New Jersey, sent his
second annual message to the Legisla-
ture which convened today. 1t is his
last formal appeal to the Legislature
for the completion of the program of
progressive legislation for which he
declared himself when he took office.
Foremost among the laws advocated
are radical revision of the statutes
governing corporations, and better law
in the matter of drawing juries. The
Governor recommends the commission
form Of government for cities, and
speaks strongly in favor of economics
in the state administration. In con
clusion he expresses the hope that
New Jersey will ratify the constitu-
tional amendments providing for tax
on incomes, and the election of Unit
ed States senators by direct vote of
the people The Governors message
was written while the President-elect
was in Bermuda, and constitutes his
only political writing since election.
At the outset of the document there
is personal note or regret at leaving
New Jersey, and an expression of graf
itude and obligation to those who
stood by him in carrying out reforms.
Almost without preface, however, the
governor calls attention to the laxity
of the states corporation laws. With
the hope that New Jersey shall never
again be called "the mother of trusts"
the message IS addressed to a legisla-
ture that is for the flrst time during
his administration, Democratic in both
branches.
Corporation Laws Need attention.
The corporation laws of the state
notoriously stand in need of alteration,
the Governor says. They are manifest
ly inconsistent with the interests of
the people in the all-important matter
of monopoly, and as they stand, far
from checking monopoly, they actually
encourage it. The whole country has
set it's face against this method of
forming vast combinations and Great
ing monopoly, Governor Wilson de-
clares. "I am sure that the people Of
New jersey" he continues, "do not
dissent from the common judgment
that our law must prevent these things
and prevent them very effectually."
The governor says the statutes of the
state should be amended to provide
some responsible official supervision
of the whole process of incorporation
and provide, in addition, salutary
checks upon unwarranted and flcti-
tious increases of capital. No legimate
business will be injured or harmfully
restricted by such action. These mat
ters affect the honor and good faith
of the State, and should be acted
upon at once and with clear purpose.
Reform Jury System.
After declaring that the State should
enact legislation to protect its people
from irresponsible persons who offer
for sale securities of every sort, the
Governor turned to the question Of
Jury drawing. "Why has no legislature
ever seriously and earnestly set itself
to correct this condition." he asks,
1.-THE drawing of grand iuries, and even
upon occasion the drawing of petit
III ! =
juries, is notoriously subject to politi-
cal influence and control in this state,
and this can and should be remedied." :"
Continuing the Governor pointed out
reforms in the States taxation sys-
TEN, and suggested that the Board OF
Public Utility Commissioners be grant
ed additional powers to eliminate dan
gerous grade railroad CROSSINGS in "a
thoroughly practical
board he urge'
power m
the'-