Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1913-05-20
Still DeadIocked on Jury Re-
form Bill and Adjourn Un-
til Next Monday.
MUNS0N THEN TO BE HOME
Fielder Fails in Attempt to
Get Through Amendment to
Commission Government.
tFron the NEWS CORRESPONDENT,

tnFo0s INC NE WS CoFTeSDondeht.)
Trenton, May 20.-Another day
was wasted by the senate Yesterday
In its efforts to enact some measure
for jury reform. The session was con-
vened and adjourned without even as
much as discussion on the much
mooted subject and as far as the
final result is concerned the question
Is as far from being settled as 1t ever
was. The Republican members still
refuse to give the Presidents bill
which calls for the appointment of
jury commissioners by the chancellor
and the Democrats have not yet a
sufficient number of votes to put the
bill through. Hence the tie up.
The Democrats have apparently de-
ctded to await the return of Senator
Munson from Europe which Is ex-
pected to be some time this week,
and as adjournment was taken un-
TIL next Monday evening, 1t is thought
that they expect to put their favorite
measure through at that time. Even
with the return of Senator Munson
the Democrats are still not sure of
their grounds, as Senator Fitzherbert
is giving them no little concern. The
member from Morris county failed
to appear at the session yesterday
and 1t Is said is somewhat inclined
to Jump the traces"
Previous to the session the Re.
publican members of the senate went
into conference, at which time the
question OF jury reform was talked
over. Later Senator Read, the Re-
publican floor leader stated that
the members of the minority
We're TO man opposed to the will
drafted by President Wilson, and
would 30 vote when 1t is brought up
for passage. AS to the other jury
measures he said the mind of the
senators is open, some openly favor
ing the Johnson bill for which they
will vote IL 1t ever reaches that point
Early during the afternoon. Cover
nor Fielder who was in his chair as
Senator from Hudson county, intro
duced bin which provides for i'm
mediate supervision of sheriff S
powers pending a decision of the
people at the, referndul-. election on
the Presidents bill.
Acting President of the Senate
Johnson also introduced a jury re-
form bill referring to the drawing of
petit juries, and in substance, similar
to the bill he offered on the opening
day or the special session of legis-
lature. The former bill however
touched Only grand juries, and Presi-
dent Johnson feeling that the grand
and petit juries should be dealt with
separately, introduces his second
measure yesterday.
Despite the lack of action on jury
reform, there was some little excite
ment when Governor Fielder made
an effort to put through the McDer-
mott House bill, amending several
portions Of the Walsh act. The bill
If 1t were to become a law would
not permit the transferring of the
employees OF one department to an
other department where the work is
similar, which is permitted In COM
mission government cities, and would
also make impossible to assign police
and fire department employees to any
other work than police duty or fire
fighting. 1t also amends that por-
tton of the Walsh act which says that
commissioners can be subjected to a
recall but once during their term OF
office, by making 1t possible to re-
call once a year.
Senator Leavitt led the fight
against the bill and he was backed
up in his war by Senator Edge of
Atlantic and Slocum of Monmouth
counties. Senator Leavitt who Is
resident Of Trenton which Is under
commission government said that in
his city both the police and firemen
were required to do divers minor
duties for the city, which resulted in
a great saving to the municipality.
Senator Edge said that the passage
of the amendments would tend In
the end to defeat the intent OF the
Walsh act and would result In the
passage of further amendments by
later legislatures.
Despite the fact that Governor
Fielder urged the passage OF the bill
upon the floor Of the senate he
secured but six votes and finally to
save 1t changed his vote and had it
laid uDon the table for further con-