Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-02-25
LIVELY DEBATE At
Jury BILL HEARING
Labor Men and Many Lawyers
Oppose Zisgen Reform
Measure.
SHERIFF WEDIN WARS WITH
PROSECUTOR OF MERCER
Hot Battle Follows Hudson
Mans Slurs at Wilson
Appointees.
rFrom Q stafr correspondent.l

IT rum ~ StaH correspondent
TRENTON, N. J., Feb. 25.-One of
the bitterest debates ever heard in
the Assembly chamber took place yes
terday, when the House committee on
judiciary granted hearing on the
Zisgen bill, providing for jury reform.
One of the liveliest battles was that
between Sheriff Wedin, of Hudson, and
Prosecutor Deviin. of Mercer. They
exchanged personalities and the lat
ter accused the Hudson sheriff of in
PRODUCING ring politics in the consid-
Grafton of a reform measure. This
charge came after Sheriff Wedin had
suggested that there was some signifi-
canoe in the advocacy of the bill by
Devlin and Prosecutor Hood, of Es-
sex, recent appointees of Governor
Wilson.
Against the bill, which provides
that sheriffs shall no longer select
Jurors, but that the selection shall
be made by two commissioners ap-
pointed in each county by the Gov
ernor, appeared Henry F. Hilfers and
A. j. Cozzolino, representing the
ESSEX lTaQeS ODuHClis OOAill w Oh wi
and Francis H. McCauley, Jersey City
lawyers: Sheriff Wedin, of Hudson,
and Henry J. Gottlob, OF the Newark
typographical Union. In favor of it
were George j. McEwan, Louis Hood,
prosecutor of Essex. and Martin p.
Oeylin, prosecutor of Mercer.
Announcing himself as in favor of
the recall of sheriffs as a solution of
the problem, John Warren declared
there was not a Statewide demand
for the changes contemplated in the
Zisgen BILL which changes would af-
feet the entire State. The only al
legged trouble with the present sys-
tenn is in two, or at least the most,
three counties, he said.
Too Much Power for Governor.
"This BILL" said Mr.. Warren,
would give to the Governor enormous
political power, which could be used
to build up a powerful organization.
We have had Governors who were
not adverse to playing politics in
counties. This resulted at one time
In the appointment of a bad prose-
cutor in Hudson. Good juries do
not depend on the system, but largely
on the man who draws the jurors
and on the honesty of the bar. The
people, if they so desire, can elect
honest sheriffs.''
Francis H. McCauley pointed out
that Governor, no matter how great
he might be, would use his personal
IDEAS in picking such commissioners,
and he felt that the men who might
be made commissioners would not be
IN contact with the people. The pres
ent system, he held was an improve
nent over that suggested in the Zis-
gen bill.
1.-THE people in electing their sheriffs
know what the duties of the office
ire" concluded Mr. McCauley.
Mr.. Hilfers, secretary of the Essex
Trades Council, which represents TO-
300 working men and women, said
ais organization was unanimously
against the Zisgen bill.
1--WE are in favor of electing our
sheriff and of having him select the
Jurors as now. If you have got to
have jury commissions at all, let
them be elected by the people
don't know what the next bill will be;
It may be one to have the Governor
appoint the sheriffs.
The Newark Typographical Union
VAS represented by Henry j. Gottlob,
Who said the union was unanimously
opposed to the bill as being, among
other things, undemocratic and
against home rule.
Labor Opposes Bill.
Anthony j. Cozzolino, representing
the Essex Trades Council spoke
against the measure, pointing out
that in favoring the direct election of
United States Senators the people
had spoken against the indirect
method of government and that to
have jury commissions, as provided
in the bill, would be an indirect sys-
tenn.
The first to speak in sfavor of the
ill was George J. McEwan, of West
Hoboken. He said the fact that there
was demand for jury reform was
amply proved by the incorporation
In the platforms of both parties of
pledges for such reform. He pointed
put that the bill would divide the
power of jury selection between two
men, of different political faith, in
sbNeld VI fNDtiho ~ oiA III OllI man DIS
now.
Louis Hood next spoke for the bill
Mr.. Hood said the two questions to
be answered were if there is any
need for change and if the change
proposed in the bill is the proper one
He held the first question was prac-
tically answered by the party pledge
IN the platform
An Interruption.
= Mr.. Hood was followed by Mer-
ser's new prosecutor Martin P. Dew
in, who went into details of how bad
;heriffs could be controlled politically
He was interrupted by Assemblyman
Nutting, of Essex, who asked him
10 think of the power the Governor
would have under the bill, for not
nly would the executive appoint the