The Monmouth inquirer., 1913-04-10

Especial Correspondence
Trenton. N. j., April 9.-Because the
legislature adjourned without passing
any bills for jury reform and without
arranging for constitutional conyen-
aion Governor Fielder asserts that he
will name a day for a special session
of the body just as soon as he COM
pletes his hearings on the measures
now before him. The call is expected
DO be sent out for early next month.
and President Wilson, who intends to
enter the fight again, suggests that
May 7 be selected.
Speaker Taylor and Assemblyman
Martin declared in the house that no
sentiment existed in their counties for
1ury reform, and the visit of the presi-
dent will be to arouse interest In those
sections. So Monmouth county, the
home of Mr. Taylor, and Hudson.
Where Mr.. Martin resides, will prob
ably be both selected for addresses II
It can be so arranged. President VIII
son and Governor Fielder will make
speeches If the present program goes
through. Other important bills may
also be taken up at the special session.
AS was forecasted, the forces of the
house and senate divided on the re-
form plan and both passed separate
bills Fiery debate marked the con-
sileration in the house. The lower
body wanted a referendum on the
question and the senate did not
Neither branch gave any attention
therefore to the measure that the 9th
er passed and both went by default
Governor Fielder is being kept busy
this week on hearings for advocates
and protestants on measures that got
through the legislature. Monday he
took up the bill that would give each
one Of the commissioners in commits
sion governed cities entire control Of
the employment and discharge of the
clerks In his department 1t is de-
signed to meet conditions in Atlantic
City, where a squabble is on, but is op-
posed by number of Trentonians and
Jersey City residents. Jersey City will
soon vote on the adoption of commits
sion government. Mayor DoRnelIy of
Trenton spoke in favor of the bill
Yesterday an important hearing was
held on the bill intended to give a
liquor license to the Burlington Audi |
torium, which is within 200 feet Of a
church. All the clergymen of the state
are opposed to the measure, which was
iobbied through the legislature by Mrs
Charles Lanning, wife of the proprie-
tor OF the Auditorium. Mrs. Lanning
won curt with the legislators in face of
The opposition of the Antisaloon league
and other forces.
( Closing Hours Exciting.
Closing hours of the session of the
senate were made the more exciting
when Senator Slocum Of Monmouth
county arose and brought charges OF
unbecoming conduct against Civil
Service Commissioner Edward FL.
Wright, Jr., of Newark. Pale and trern-
bling with excitement, the Monmouth
representative walked in from the
lobby and Immediately asked posses
sion of the floor on a question of per
sonal privilege. All other business
ceased as he explained that he had just
been called into the corridor by Com
missioner Wright and was not only
grossly insulted, but threatened with
political humiliation because he did not
have an appropriation made increasing
the salaries Of the civil service COM
nissioners from $1,000 to SO, 500 a year.
The declaration of Mr.. Slocum follow
ed a heated combat he had with Mr.
Wright near the door of the senate and
quickly gathered a crowd of the at.
tendants.
Time after time. Mr.. Slocum de
clared, be had been subjected to such
treatment and opportunities by mem
bers of the civil service commission In
their anxiety to have their conlpensa-
tion advanced, and he offered a reso-
luton that stated that the senate re-
garded Mr. Wright an unfit person to
hold the position to which he was
named and that he be requested to re-
sign. The resolution was adopted and
VIII DC LOl " az NiCfA ~ AFNA Eiii + -ltlAci.
Senator Ramsay. who introduced the
salary raising bill by request, joined
with Mr.. Slocum in condemning the
pressure that was exerted upon him
by the civil service commissioners who
tried TO get the measure through. Com
missioner Fordyce was also active In
trying to advance the "sweetener," and
Commissioner HOff was frequently In
the senate lobby after its introduction
The episode resulted in general disap-
proval by the senate of the way they
are constantly annoyed by the lobby
lists, Mr.. Leavitt Of Mercer being a
seader among those who declared
, against the practice. Mr.. Colgate of
Essex thought the resolution a little
drastic and voted In the negative, as
did Mr. White Of Burlington. Major
Sty Leader Davis asserted that he
would not vote because he did not
know exactly what had passed be
tween the senator and the commits
donec
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