Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-02-06
McGinnis Plans AvOidingLiti-
CATION In Jury Question.
MEASURES FOR MOTORISTS
Travelling Statesmen Are to Be Exempt
From Service on Grand and Petit
Juries Under Provision of a Bill Pre-
scented by Senator White.
Especial correspondence.l

Especial Correspondence
Trenton, N. j., Jan. 2S.-When the
New Jersey court of errors and appeals
sustained last Friday the so called
chancellor-sheriff act to govern the
drawing of juries a question was
raised as to the constitutionality of the
law under which the grand jurles of
the state are now convened. In order
to guard against litigation that might
follow the finding of indictments by
these jurles Senator McGinnis of Pas
safe, the majority leader. had intro
duced a bill in the legislature which
provides that when a grand jury Is in
session prior to the rendering of such
decision by the court of errors the
jury shall be the lawful inquest of the
county for the time being. When duly
summoned by the court the panel Is to
perform all the powers heretofore
vested in grand and petit juries.
The law which vas sustained by the
court of errors was the one advocated
by President Wilson when he visited
the state last summer for this particu-
lar purpose. 1t Is designed to prevent
the alleged corruption in the sheriffs'
offices throughout the state and vests
in the chancellor the power of select
ing in each county one commissioner
who, In conjunction with the sheriff.
shall draw the grand and petit juries.
To avoid partisan politics the statute
provides that the commissioner shall
not be of the same political faith as
the sheriff. Sheriff Weden of Hudson
county attacked the act and was sus
tanned in his contention that it was
unconstitutional on the ground that it
was an unwarranted delegation of
power by the legislature in placing a
state wide referendum to the bill. The
case was her carried to the court of
errors and appeals.
Wescott Sees Fielder.
Attorney General Wescott has con-
ferred with Governor Fielder on the
present status of the juries. and the
sentiment seems to be that those in
session are legal.
Not without strained relations being
made evident did the Democrats of the
house reach the conclusion that the
California plan of two sessions is to be
postponed this year. As the head of
what is referred to as the Smith-Nu-
gent faction. A~ssemblyman McDer-
mott tried to have the new scheme
pushed through this year. After some
manipulation it was decided to make
the meeting on the subject a common
caucus, binding all those present. and
the California idea went down by a
vote of 5 to 10.
To Lengthen Governors Term.
Radical changes in the constitution
are proposed under house concurrent
resolutions by Mr.. Peacock. One would
change the term of the governor from
three to -four years. another would re-
quire the legislature to hold biennial
instead of yearly sessions. Senators
would have terms of foul instead of
three years by his plan. and assembly
men would serve two instead of one
year.
By another concurrent resolution of
Mr.. Byrne congress is requested to en-
act a law giving ample protection to
migratory fishes.
Five bills to compel automobiles
and motorcyclists to observe more
closely the rules for driving on public
thoroughfares have been introduced by
Majority Leader McGinnis of the sen
ate. They were drawn up at the re-
quest of the commissioners of motor
vehicles. One will require motorcy-
clists to carry a ear light to display
the license number of the machine and
another will compel justices of the
peace to report cases heard for the VIC
lations of the speed laws within three
days, together with information. in or
der that The vehicle commissioner may
determine If the license should be re
voked. The third makes 1t mandatory
for a driver of an automobile to report
every accident in which he has figured
to the vehicle commissioner within a
reasonable time. Failure to do this will
be ground or the revocation of the car
license. The fourth is sweeping In the
powers it confers Upon the employees
Of the vehicle COMMISSIONS to regulate
traffic on all highways. The fifth will
provide a penalty for attaching adver.
Using signs to road guides.
Exempt Travelling Statesmen.
Travelling statesmen are to be exempt.
ed from service on grand and petit
juries under the provisions of a bill
presented by Senator White. Another
measure introduced by Mr.. McGinnis
provides for the appointment of the
legislator adviser to be connected with
the attorney generals department to
draft bills and give advice on legisla-
ton to the members of both houses
His salary is to be $1,000. and he
holds his office at the pleasure of the
attorney general. The jurisdiction of
the civil service commission is ex-
tended to the employees and officers
Of the Palisades interstate park com
mission by a bill of Mr.. Colgate. 1t
has Been questioned whether such a