The Penn's Grove record., 1914-01-23

justice, due to political influence and
corruption In some Of our counties,
would never again occur. | was sure
our people desired this reform and
as Acting Governor OF the State. I'D
q message to the special session, !
urged that a bill be passed without q
referendum. 1t was my opinion that
a jury commission, appointed by SUI
preme Court Justices. offered the prop
or and effective solution, but that ses-
sion resulted in the passage Of q bill
providing for a commission consisting
Of the sheriff and one citizen Of each
county, the latter to be appointed by
the Chancellor, and directing that the
acceptance of the act should be sub
mftted to the people OF the whole
State at the last general election. An
other bill vas passed at the same ses-
sion, taking effect at once, reforming
and safeguarding the method of selec-
ton by the sheriffs, of our grand and
I petit jurors and was therefore In op-
GRAFTON before the general election.
Upon the submission OF the "Chancel-
lor-Sherif Act" to the voters, it was
adopted by a very large majority,
thus clearly indicating their prefer
ence for that act, rather than for the
other act passed at the same session.
The constitutionality Of the "Chan-
cellor-Sherif Act" has been attacked
and is now before our courts, a JUS
tice OF the Supreme Court having de-
| clared it unconstitutional because of
the Statewide referendum and an ap-
peal is now pending in the Court Of
Appeals. The question of the adop-
ton of this act having been decided
by the voters in unmistakable terms,
there cannot be the slightest question
as to the duty of the. Legislature in
the premises, or any room for further
argument as to what kind Of jury re-
form this State desires. There may
be some matters of mere detail in the
E"ChancelIor-Sherif Act" which need
correction, but the obligation Of the
Legislature to pass the, bill again,
without a referendum, is SO plain that
it is idle to do more than set forth
the facts.
Two constitutional amendments are
suggested, both Of which | approve and
which | think have the approval OF
a very large majority of our citizens.
The first will provide for a more lib
eral method of amending the Consti-
tuition by submitting any proposed
amendment( after 1t has passed two
sessions of the Legislature, to the
voters at the following general cleo
ton instead of a special election, as
now required and by eliminating the
present constitutional prohibition
against voting on amendments oftener
than once in five years. The second
amendment to which | refer relates
to the creation Of Assembly districts
in those counties entitled to more
than one Assemblyman. Under our
system of nomination and election, it
is possible that candidates for Assem-
bly, can be nominated and elected from
one section of the county, leaving the
balance thereof unrepresented and
that the Assemblymen elected may all
represent one political party or a fac
ton of a party. The creation of AS
sembly districts will make the first
impossible.
Various attempts to pass a constitu-
tional act under which our counties
may be governed by a small board of
freeholders have failed, mainly be-
cause this legislation has been complf-
Gated by the enactment of many laws
and by many court decisions on the
subject. The citizens of those coun-
ties which have adopted the small
board, are satisfied with the change
and several counties now having the
large boards have expressed their de-
sire for smaller ones. 1t appears to
be the general sentiment of the State,
that municipal affairs can be more sat
i~sfactorily administered by fewer men
than by a larger number, where re-
sponsibility for .misgovernment is dt
vided between and shifted from one
set Of men to another. / believe it to
be the duty of the Legislature to
pass a mandatory bill which will give
a small board government to all coun-
ties.
Many complaints are heard concern
ing our increasing a burdens. One
reason for the increase is the growing
expenditures Of our municipalities,
part Of which is due to mandatory acts
and especially to those fixing appro-
priations upon a percentage Of assess
ed valuations. This Is improper leg
islation and should cease. Another
part of the increase is due to munich
pal extravaganza which can be check
ed through the power Of the ballot.
Another reason for increased tax
burdens is found in improper meth
DDS of assessment, and this also re-
suits in inequalities in taxation as be-
tween municipalities and individuals.
The root Of this difficulty Is in the as
SCISSOR, in whose selection the ques-
ton of fitness generally plays but a
small part and who receives an made
quate compensation for the work he is
supposed to perform. The elected as
SCISSOR usually gives poor satisfaction.
PThe average annual salary in this
State is about 1910, and some asses
sors, who have a quarter of a mil.
lion Of valuation to assess, receive
the munihcent sum of ten dollars per
year. If we can devise a way to Sc
cure competent and faithful assessors
and place them beyond political con-
troll, / believe the cause for complaint
would be largely removed. AS a sim
pie plan (not wholly new for meet
ing the d~ificulty. ! suggest that the
County Board Of Taxation In each
county, establish local assessment dis
tricts to comprise the whole, or a part
of a municipality, or to include two or
more municipalities and that such
board appoint assessors for each dis
trict, who may be assigned to assist
each other and who shall be chosen
under the Civil Services Act and may
be removed by the county board after
Harvey s. Moore, of Mercer County.
A