Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-03-17
OCEAN GROVE BILL
IS Up TO FIELDER
Governor Must Decide Before
Thursday What He Will Do
With the Measure.
Especial 10 the nvenlng star.l


TRENTON, March 17-Governor
Fielder has until Thursday of this
week to make UP his mind as to how
he will dispose of the Ocean Grove
borough bill, which has passed both
branches of the Legislature. Under
the Constitution the Governor has five
days. Sunday excepted to sign. veto
or let the bill automatically become
law.
The Governor yesterday listened
to arguments for and against
the Ocean Grove borough bill and
how he should dispose of it. DR..
Aaron Ballard. president of the Ocean
Grove Association. who has fought
the bill for years, was present and
was given seat near Governor
Fielder at the latter's request.
Former Supreme Court Justice Gill
bert Collins, speaking for the Camp
meeting Associa ton, raised the novel
contention that possibly there We're
no legal voters in Ocean Grove. He
told the Governor that the lease
granted to each person settling in
Ocean Grove specifically stated that
the party receiving the lease was to
occupy the ground as a summer re-
sort from May Il to October 30 JUS
tice Collins said In view of this stip-
ulation he could not see how there
could be any legal voters in Ocean
Grove. He further argued that those
now residing there are permitted
specially by the association to make
their residences there all the year,
but this is n special privilege.
Turning to the question OF submit
ting the Incorporation of Ocean
Grove to a referendum Justice Col
Inns said that nine-tenths of the sum-
mer residents of the Grove are not
legal voters and would have no say
in the matter. He could not see JUS
tiee in submitting the question only
to those who make Ocean Grove their
permanent home.
Justice Collins also remarked that
no one could tell how far the laws of
the State for enforcement of the
Christian Sabbath would be carried
out after the incorporation of the
Grove. The way for endless litigation
will be opened by the proposed ineor-
poration. according to the justice, and
he warmly remarked that the act will
not accomplish the purpose it desires
if it does not seriously handicap those
ends the boroughites want to see at
tanned.
Prosecutor Lawrence. of Monmouth
County. was the principal speaker in
rebuttal, asking the Governor to ap-
pibtt Tie Dillt he i1i1oihith Aii1 ca
ecutive the contention of Justice Col
Inns limiting residence in the Grove
from May to October had been abb
rogated by the association itself and
residence in the Grove all the year
around was countenanced by the as
ISOLATION. The Campmeeting Associa-
ton. according to Mr.. Lawrence, con-
trolled the secular affairs of the
Grove.
Mr. Lawrence sailed into the Re-
publican State Senators for making
ure. EVERY Republican Senator
lined up against the bill. And why?
Has not this church gone into poll
tics?'
Governor Fielder Immediately re-
fused to hear this line of argument.
~ don't want to hear any of that,
said the Governor.
Mr.. Lawrence, however. remarked
that it was a significant thing.
There is way of settling this ques-
tion," continued Mr.. Lawrence The
question of religion has nothing TO do
with It, But ! say it is an injustice
TO deny the people the right of local
self government
Former Acting Governor Leon r.
Taylor also asked the Governor to
sign the bill. The bill, according to
MT. Taylor, Will jiDI GHdHSt lIlG
charter of the association only in so
far as II will permit the people TO
say who shall govern them, Gov
ernor Taylor and Mr.. Ballard In
dulged in tilt over question that
arose in the Legislature last year.
Mr. Taylor said he proposed to DR..
Ballard that the Legislature should
submit q referendum as to the incor-
poration to the lessees Of the associa-
ton.
mo such offer was ever made"
said DR.. Ballard.
Your memory may be faulty" said
Mr.. Taylor
81 think not" replied DIR. Ballard
well, there are people here to back
me up" Mr.. Taylor said with en-
phasis.A
DR. Ballard was permitted to again
urge the claims of the camp meeting
association in rebuttal. He attempt
ed to answer President Slocum for
explaining what part politics played
In the Incorporation of the Grove.
II am not much concerned i'm the
political end of this" was Governor
Fielder's comment to DIR. Ballard
when the latter attempted to go into
the political aspect of the question.