The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-01-19
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1915
Converting of the Legislature.

the usual ceremonies incident to organi
zation. AS had previously been deter
mined Senator Walter E. Edge, of At
lantic county, was made president of the
Senate, and Assemblvman Godfrey, OF
the same county, was chosen Speaker OF
the House.
In forming committees Burlington
county's members were given berths as
follows: Senator White-boroughs and
townships; miscellaneous business; state
hospital; soldiers home; municipal cor
porations; printed bills; railroads and
canals. He is chairman of the first four
named. Assemblyman Peacock is on
municipal corporations, of which he is
chairman; boroughs and borough com
missions; labor and industries; printed
bills; home for feeble-minded women
(chairman); treasurers' accounts.
In striking constrast with the stumb-
ling, laundering and uncertain methods
OF last years Democratic Legislature was
the definite and business-like work OF
the Republican majority in the opening
Of the 10th session.
Senator William T. Read. majority
leader in the Senate, made a public
statement a few weeks ago to the effect
that the present session would not adj
iourn until all of the platform pledges OF
the Republican Party had been fulfilled.
That this statement was not made up of
empty words was amply demonstrated
in Tuesdays opening session when bills
were introduced covering every Repub-
lican platform pledge but n and that
single exception was cared for last
evening.
The voters Of New Jersey, who de-
cided last fall that the Republican Party
would best serve their individual in
H tn<orfc ~ fho 2fnfo have fhx,c haan Ufxa..
an early evidence that their confidence
was not misplaced. There was an earn
estness and determination in every
action Of the Republican majority, Tues
day, that demonstrated in the most con
vincing how thorough was the
realization of the responsibility it had
assumed Of rescuing the State from the
slough Of despond into which it had been
thrown by Democratic incompetency
and ineficiency.
Efficiency" is to be the key note OF
the session. That was established be-
yond all question ON the opening de-
velopments. Never has there been such
q business-like opening and neyer has
so much actual work been accomplished
in the first day Of a session. More pro-
gress was made Tuesday thar was accom-
plished in the first month of last years
session and this statement, broad as it
may appear, will not be denied by the
Democratic members OF the Legislature
who sat back astounded by the certainty
with which their opponents went about
the gigantic task at hand.
In both the House and the Senate the
financial condition of the State came in
for particular mention. Speaker God
frey, of the House, in his opening adj
dress said that n of the first duties Of
the legislature should be to determine
the actual condition of the State imam
ces. President Edge of the Senate made
practically the same statement and the
result was that a committee has been
appointed to make thorough investiga-
ton and report its findings.
Before last falls election it will be re.
called that a Democratic stateme nt was
given to che press announcing a surplus
in the treasury. This was e~mphatically
denied by Republicans who were in q
position to know n is still denied by
the Republican members of both House
and Senate. 1t is positively asserted
that there was a big deficit at the end OIL
the fiscal year, October 81, but only such
an investigation as will be made by the
committee just appointed can determine
how great such deficit really is.
1t is an ominous fact that Governor
~ . tACcSdSC W ttic Legislature WIS
absolutely silent as to the finances of the
State. For years beyond memory it has
been h custom of Governors to COM
ment freely upon the financial condition
Of the State in their messages and in
this way the people of the State obtain
ed their knowledge of affairs.
The Governors message is a weak,
colorless and decidedly commonplace
document which practically admits the
derelictions of his own party in its fail
ure TO pass certain measures he now asks
the Republican majority to pass.
Before dismissing the Governors mes
sage it might be of interest to note that
he says: 'sThe Legislatures of the past
tically all matters for the public good
which have been awaiting action. y
From this viewpoint the Governor as.
sumes that the present Legislature will
lind very little to do. Evidently Gov
ernor Fielder has. foundit convenient TO
forget the multitude of unful6lled pledges
OF the Democratic Party in the past few
years and is wilfully blind TO the con
~structive program that has been out
lined by the Republican majority for
this session.
That the Republican platform made
no idle promise in assuring the taxpayers
OF the State economy in the administra :
ton OF their affairs was fully proven by
the immediate introduction of all of the
economy and efficiency bills. They are
eight in number and they represent a
saving OF both money and time to the
State.
NO. l.-Creates the department of con-
~servation and development by CONSOLE
dating the present water supply com
mission, board of forest park reserve.
geological survey, Washington's Cross
ing Commission, State Museum and
Fort Nonsense Commission. The new
board will consent of eight members not
more than four from one party; the
members will receive no compensation,
Y have the right TO name a director at
a $4,000 q year salary.
Nc. 2-Creates the department of
m and navigation by con-
solidating the Riparian Commission,
Inland Waterways Commission, New
Jersey Harbor Commission and the In
spector OF Power Vessels. Like the
other board it will consist of eight mem
bers. bipartisan and the members are to
serve without pay. Power is given 10
name ahead with a salary of ST, 900.
No. 3.-Transfers the engineering de-
partment of the State Board OF Assessors
TO the board of Public Utility Commits
sioners.
No. makes it mandatory upon the
board OF each municipality to enforce
the State Pure Food and Drug act.
No. 5.-Creates the department of
labor and industry by consolidating the
present department of labor and the de-
partment of labor statistics, with an al.
visory board Of eight members, not more
than four from one party and requiring
the appointment of three labor men on
the board. They can name a director at
a salary of 5000 a year.
No. demonstrates the State Board
OF Assessors with the State Board of
Equalization of taxes with six members.
of which number two must be conn.,
selors-at-law, and with 1884, 500 salary
each.
No. 7.-Creates the department of
shell fisheries by consolidating the
State Shell fish Commission with ths
various oyster boards in the low er q
ties of the State, together with the Mon
mouth County Commission. The board
to govern will consist of eight members. |
will be bipartisan and with power to
name a director, who shall receive 50, 900
a year and give all of his time to the
work. Board members are not to re-
ceive any salary.
Nc. Establishes a department of
health by legislating out of office the
present State Board of Health, ever TO
the employees, and in lieu thereof pro- |
viding for a board of eight members. !
two of whom shall he musicians one a |