Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-01-28
HOW AMENDMENT
i AFFECTS RULES
No House Bills After March S
and Ten-Day Period After
Second Reading.
IspeciaI 10 the Newark start

Especial 10 the Newark start
TRENTON. Jan. 2s.-The amend
psent TO Assemblyman Walter L. Nc
Dermott's amendment to rule Il, ard
ths reporting of twenty eight bills I
second reading yesterday Afternoon
marked the end of the controversy
over the proposed California plan Of
legislation advocated by Mr.. McDer'
mott. witch had practically been set
tied by the Democrats in caucus.
The rules Of the House. which nov
govern the procedure with regard tC
the progress of bills are amended by
rule Il, which provides that no bill be
Introduced in the House without the
unanimous consent of the members
after March 5. and by rule 70, which
requires ten days to elapse between
second and third reading of bills.
No split In the Ranks.
Incidentally. no split in the Demo
cratic ranks occurred. A caucus was
held despite the protest Of several
Assemblymen, but nobody attempted
10 bolt the caucus. There was no
frenzy attaching to any part Of the
EIOICCAAAl6GF II A4AO N-AL-NN4 ASA NS--1N-
y complete outsiders who are not
Kaembers OF the Legislature or State
employees are excepted.
One Republican member did at
tempt to make some comments Oh
the Democratic caucus. Assemblyman
Carlton Godfrey, of Atlantic, begin
ling speech on that line, but
Speaker Azariah NJ. Beekman ruled
him out of order on the ground that
he was criticising a fellow member.
Minority Leader Emerson L. Rich
ards came to Mr.. Godfrey's aid by
Questioning the speakers right to rule
his colleague from Atlantic out Of
order without quoting the rules. His
protest was overruled.
THE protest was regarded in the
light of a trial Of Speaker Beekman's
strength in his new position. II that
was the object 1t apparently failed
completely Of its purpose, for the
speaker ruled with finality and an
sWered all objections with the asser-
tion that he had ruled and the ruling
was final
=IWhen the House reconvened.
shortly after o'clock yesterday after
noon the introduction of still more
bills was early in the order of bust
hess This was not the main business
of the meeting, and everybody was
aware of 1t. The Democratic men,
bers were awaiting the call for the
amending Of the rules and the Re-
pub.icans were preparing for the
truggle-fruitless they knew, be-
cause the story of the Democratic
caucus and its result were already
known.
!, AT length Assemblyman John T.
kirkpatrick moved the amendment Of
The now famous rule II on the lines
preferred by Governor Fielder, nam
ing March as the limit of introduce
ton of bills He first offered the
resolution he had given notice Of. to
strike out Assemblyman McDermott' s
rule. setting the March limit. As
Semblymen McDermott and Thomas
r. A. Griffin. of Hudson. both spoke
sn favor of the McDermott rule. As
gemblyrnan McDermott said he would
not oppose its deletion, but Assembly
man Griffin declared he would vote
Tor 1t. Mr.. McDermott said:
While recognize the call of the
majority of my fellow members OF
She Democratic party and will vote
for The amendment of this rule. l feel
That rule II as 1t stands with the
addition of the recess plan is the best
reform that could be brought forth
TO check the faults the people find
with US as a Legislature. I have
spoken to men of another generation
than ours. men familiar with the
1sages and customs Of this House
and the Senate. and they have told
me that the plan is an excellent one,
promising better laws and more care
full legislation.
Remedy SIovenly Legislation.
II feel gratified at the discussion
this resolution has occasioned be-
7 z-A -
affect on future LEGISLATURES in con-
sidering the same situation that still
confronts US. We have a great pow
er conferred upon us by the people
and we must exercise that power
without going before the people with
every measure. We will have that
power just as long as we utilize in
the proper manner and no longer.
The legislative power is being exer-
cised in a slovenlv way and when
the people fully realize that it will
smell trouble for us. All bills passed
should be read and known to all Of
the members Of the Legislature and
there is not time to do that without
a recess be taken. However. that Is
not the matter before the House. but
T could not let this opportunity pass
without explaining my position. an
action that I consider necessary"
fAGSFAAiblS man III NM sel4n
"I arise to support this resolution.
do not agree with the gentleman
who preceded me that we have to
make an explanation Of our reasons
fer supporting the plan. When we
heard that the Legislature was being
crowded and that work was being
hurried over we turned 10 this plan
% legislation 20 improve things
The result Is that the plan is not
sayorably considered by the greater
humber Of the Democratic members
and is not to 5e adopted. I bowed In
humble submission to the wish Of the
majority in the caucus. that was
against the resolution. I now rise tc
support this resolution"
: There was a murnur Of applause
ss Assemblyman Griffin resumed his
seat The resolution to strike out
The McDermott rule was adopted by
u party vote apparently. although II
was said that at least one and per
naps three Republicans voted for The
rejection Of rule II as il stood. NJ
attempt was made to record the aves
and nays. New rule II was ther
adopted without q vote in opposition
tfle Republicans refraining from
Voting.
The second attempt to hold a eau
Gus. following the unsuccessful effor
az MONDAY hiBitt' tooh pace oelol
the House convened yesterday after
loon and was q success.
OF thirty-three who attended the
caucus twenty-three voted against tbs
binding effect of it and ten support
ed it. Several who upheld the plaI
Monday night " ere absent from this
caucus yesterday. The twenty-thre'
assemblymen VINO voted against i
could not have stopped the adoption o.
the resolution were it brought out OF
the floor because the Republican mi