New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-26
Lawyers Fear Courts Stand
Renders Work of Present
Bodies Illegal.
FIELDER CALLS
FOR CONFERENCE
Bill Will Be Drafted to Have New
Panels Drawn at Once-Suf-
fragists Gathering.

From a stan Correspondent Of The Tribune.
Trenton y. J.. Jan. o5.-As a result
Of the decision OF the Court Of Errors
and Appeals in declaring the Chancellor
Sheriff jury bill perfectly good legisls-
ton. there is grave doubt among the
prominent lawyers Of the state as to the
legality Of any indictments which may
be found by present grand juries or YER
diets OF petit juries as now constituted.
Both the grand and petit juries for
the present term would ordinarily hold
over until April. but the decision Of the
court has knocked them out completely
AZ n result Of the condition that has
arisen and the possibilities OF IT. Gov
ernor Fielder has called conference
for tomorrow night to consider the sub
iect of legislation 10 straghten out the
tangle.
The mix-up has been brought about by
the wording OF President Wilson's jury
reform bill. which put its provisions into
effect as soon as it WAS adopted by the
people. This occurred last Election Day
but the act was al once taken to the
courts, where II has been held up until
the decision on Friday The sustaining
OF the act by the court means that its
provisions are now i'm effect, so that il
is feared that any work performed since
the decision by grand and petit juries is
illegal.
Governor Fielder is anxious 10 have
legislation enacted AT once 10 straighten
out the tangle, fearing that chaos in the
courts will result. 1t IS probable there
will be drafted and submitted 10 the
Legislat ure an act providing that new
grand and petit juries be drawn imme-
diately under the provisions Of the new
law instead Of waiting until April
Although i'm session for two weeks, the
Legislature is i'm chaotic condition so
far as the conduct of its business is
concerned. especially the House. The
chief difficulty has been over the adop-
ton Of rules providing for change TO
the California plan Of making laws. As
things now stand the Assembly rules
read that no bill can be brought up on
second reading until after March .. They
also call for an interim OF ten days be-
tween the introduction of a bill and it's
coming up on second reading.
The California plan is now practically
dead. however, Governor Fielder having
voiced his disapproval OF IT. AS re-
suit it is expected the lawmakers will
get down to real business tomorrow
night and finally agree on set of rules
under which they can operate for the re-
mainder of the session.
The Democratic leaders have agreed
bills 70 March ), and have ten days
elapse between second and third reading
Of bills The idea is 10 give the people
and the legislative experts time 10 scan
the bills before they are finally passed.
\ big time is expected at the State
House on Wednesday. when hearing
on the woman suffrage amendment 10
the constitution will be held in the AS
sembly chamber. Both the "suffs' and
the "antis" will be on hand in large num-
bers. armed with prominent speakers.
Airs. Everett Colby, chairman OF the
legislative committee Of the "suffs.' has
House early, as there are rumors Of
plot on the part of the "antls' to gobhle
all the choice seats. The amendment
will be reported out Of committee favor
ably tomorrow night.
Governor Fielder will keep the Office