Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-03-13

able against the municipality which
was in arrears. The governor asserted
that If the bill became a law the tax
collector would be able to shift his per-
sonal liability for interest to his taxing
district and this would tend to make
the county collector lax in his collec-
tons. As a result he thought there
would be unnecessary issues of bonds.
Home Rule Measure.
Absolute home rule in municipalities
is provided in a resolution presented by
Senator Hutchinson of Mercer. 1t pro-
vides for an amendment to the consti-
tuition permitting any municipality to
adopt its own form of government by
a vote of the people. 1t gives wide
latitude, the only limit being the con-
stitution and existing state law. There
would be no change in present govern
ments excepting by referendum. An
other bill introduced by Senator Hutch
inson modifies one of the 'seven SIS
ters' antitrust laws. The statute he
proposes to change now prohibits a
corporation of this state from investing
III LnC SlOChS VI AliOlbtI Aliltuh W.
poration II such investment tends to-
ward monopoly. The Hutchinson meas
ure was introduced by request and
strikes out the prohibition by permit
ting the state public utility commission
to decide whether such investment
shall be permitted. The Mercer sena-
tor also presented a bill which will in
crease from $4,000 to $4,000 the
amount the state shall annually appro-
pirate to the Trenton School of Indus
trial Arts and other institutions of this
character.
Assemblyman Branegan. for Speaker
Beekman, has introduced a bill author
izing the governor. with confirmation
by the senate, TO appoint four judges
at large of the several district courts of
the state to hold office for five years.
They are to act as substitutes for the
regular judges of the courts when they
shall desire to be relieved temporarily.
The salary of the substitute is to be
paid by the regular judge. Assembly
man Quigley has a bill to allow the
clerk of "a district court In a city of
more than $4,000 population to appoint
an assistant clerk with the approval OF
the judge. His salary is to be 5000 a
year. The present taxing system would
be materially changed under a bill by
Senator McGinnis. 1t provides for the
appointment of all assessors of the
county by the county tax board and
also the division of the county into tax
alton districts. The measure is along
the line of the recommendations of the
special tax commission appointed q
year ago.
Approves Freeholders' Bill.
Approval of the house has been given
to the bill of Assemblyman Leonard
authorizing county boards of freehold
ers to appropriate $4,000 for hospitals.
At present the maximum appropriation
is 500, 1000. Another measure which re
ceived an affirmative ballot is that for
the repeal of the Hillery tax law,
This had previously passed the senate,
Memorials sent to the legislature by
nine railroad companies operating
within the state form one of the most
interesting actions of the session. They
urge the adoption of bills accompany.
ing the papers. One would repeal the
full crew law which was passed after
a long struggle by labor interests. The
railroads maintain that the statute has
accomplished no material good In the
running of trains, does not benefit moi
safeguard the public and that its CHIEF
feature is that 1t compels the railroads
to spend thousands of dollars. They
assert there is no adequate return from
it and thai it has already created Q
serious financial problem. The second
question treated of is the request that
the legislature abolish the entire sys-
tenn of free passes on railroads fol
state officials and employees. A list OF
states is given to show that this has
already been done in other places. The
Introduction to the memorials explains
that they were SEN direct to the pre-
siding officers In the legislature be
cause the corporations have no othei
means of getting them before that
body. as no assemblymen or senators
would introduce them.
Opposes Mexican Policy.
Assemblyman Hervey s.. Moore OF
Mercer county was the father OF an
unusual resolution presented to the
house. 1t takes exception to the policy
of the Wilson administration in han
ding the Mexico situation. In a lengthy
preamble it tells of the pillage. murder
and assassination taking place at the
doorstep of the nation. and says. "Our
standing before the world Is one OF
humiliation and shame" 1t protests
against a continuation Of this policy
..of evidence of the nations weak
ness" The paper was referred to the
judiciary committee without any &C
ton being taken OF 1t and the Demo
Gratis are expected to smother it there.
Speaker Beekman has appointed other