New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-14
Republicans to Abolish
Twenty-one County
Tax Boards.
SENATOR PIERCE TO
MAKE BIG FIGHT
Friends of McGinniS Said TO Be
Hurt at His Defeat as
Minority Leader.


abreast Of the times will receive short
shrift At the hands of the Republican,
controlled New Jersey Legislature,
which is 20 convene in about month.
Already forces are at work 10 save "a
lot Of rcactioHsries doomed with the
inauguration OF an economical admin
istratIou.
An indication OF the extent 20 which
the majority proposes 90 go DO carrying
out ITS platform pledge was shown
last week iu the decision of a joint
caucus of the House and Senate mem
bers TO abolish the tWeuty-oue county
tax boards These bodies have always
proved a material aid to the politicians
and are pretty soft berths, with sal
aries ranging from 81 500 90 $1,000 "a
year.
The proposed abolition VIII be in
keeping with more than one Repub-
lican bin presented q year ago, and
much credit b. due for h. To- senator
Carlton B. Pierce. Mr. Pierce and q
number Of Rcpu iican colleagues tried
in vain last year 20 have the Democrats
favor the wlpug out of the boards and
the substitution OF county assessor
auswerable 90 81 state board.
The Democrats in both houses stood
almost 10 unit against anything that
would disturb jobs carrying such at
tractive salaries.
In the recent caucus the Republicans
listened 10 the special committees
named TO look after questions Of taxa
ton. and 10 is said some at first frOWucd
on the idea. declaring that the public
might construo the move as one for
political effect. Senator Pierce, how
ever. is said 10 have served notice that
he would have 20 have the undivided
support Of his colleagues this year for
his series of taxation reform measures
killed last year ty the Democrats.
The bills which Mr. Pierce iostered
a wear ago and will again present this
session represent tie work OF COM
mission, of whIC the Senator was a
member. and which went through the
state investigating defects in the tax
ing system.
Mr. Pierce will play an important
part I'm the coming session. lie Is re-
spousible for much Of the legislation
proposed. and will be a leading figure
I'm any fight that may develop over the
tax reforms lie will have charge OF
grade crossing legislation. which may
take a large part of the session.
?
passed last winter placed the subjects
of abolishing grade crossings no the
hands Of municipalities and the state
Board Of Public Utility Commissioners.
At best under the provisions OF that
law IL would take years 10 abolish all!
the dangerous crossings Iu the state.
Mr. Pierce favored a law that would
make the work Of elimination proceed
more quickly. and one the constitution
alitv of which had already been de-
termined by the higher courts.
The majority members Of both houses
will meet in Trenton tomorrow at
which further action toward the com
plction Of a Legislative programme VIII
be taken.
Developments a. caucus or the
Democratic Senators 100 Trenton on Sat
urdav tickled the majority members.
The caucus resulted In the choice Of
senator Charles O'Connor Hcnnessy. Of
BERGEN County. as the minority leader
Senator Peter J. NcGinnis, Of Pas
,aic. who was the majority leader last
wear. thought he was entitled 20 the
minority leadership this year. and FOR
time il looked as though there might
be an opcn break between the two Sen
atOrs.
Governor Fielder, however, took "A
hand m the affair, and NcGinnIs was
sidctrackcd. While it is denied that
the selection Of Henucssy over McGin-
mis- left any soreness and efforts were
made on Saturday TO have IL appear
that all was harmonious al the confer
ence. in is said that McGinnis's friends
were none too enthusiastic and might
be found Indifferent throughout -
session.
In accepting the leadership Hen
messy made a statement in which he
went 10 great length 10 make II appear
mat the efficiency and economy pro
cramrie worked out last year by Sen
sior Walter +. Edge, who Is TO pre-
Side i'm the upper branch this year, wa
tho result Of Democratic effort A.
the same time he crosse untered ON
his rival for the leadership when he
denied that the minority would resort
TO political sabotage as McGinnis
desired the minority should do.
The Democrats, especially those
holding fat jobs. are quaking in their
shoes over a threatened retrenchment
in the salaries Of state officials