The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1915-04-24
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
CLOSED WEDNESDAY,
Practically All Pledges Fulfilled
and State Finances Put Up
on a Sound Basis.

ing bhe finances of the State on
sound basis in which the income W
,e more than meet the expenses of go
n eminent and inaugurating econon
and efficiency in the administration
!, the States affairs, the 1915 sessiC
Y of the New Jersey Legislature a,
journed Wednesday night.
The final week of this importal
session was marked by the passage
the appropriation bills and the enac
ment into laws of a number of bill
that had been vetoed by Governo
$ Fielder for reasons that appear to
of the most intense partisan charat
ter.
How well the Republican majorit
E has redeemed its pledges and no,
faithfully it has worked in the inter
ests of all of the people of the State
is best told in the following statemen
issued by Senate President Walter f
Edge:
81 feel that the 1915 Legislature
has done splendid work in carrying
out its pledges to the people. Fact.
count, not generalities. Here's how
the sessions work checks up with tho
party platform, on which the present
Legislature was elected:
Economy and Efficiency. Passed
all eight bills, submitted by the Com
mission, with amendments, which,
however, it is generally conceded, i'm
proved the bills. Two previous DEM
ocratic Legislatures with the same
platform pledge. failed entirely.
Creation of Public Markets. Prop
er permissive legislation passed by
both Houses and signed by the Gov
ernor.
Irrigation System for Farms. Pas
sed by both Houses and signed by the
Governor.
"Geran Election Law. Common
sense amendments for the purpose of
Qualification and Unnecessary confu-
sion. Various acts passed and become
laws.
elimination of Grade Crossings,
in a more positive manner Passage
by both Houses of the Pierce Grade
Crossing law, which compels one dan
gerous grade crossing in each thirty
miles to be eliminated annually. I'm
der the Fielder act, now a law for
ove two years, not n elimination
has occurred.
"Woman's Suffrage. Amendment
passed both Houses and approved by
the Governor.
"Home Rule. The proposed Consti-
tutional amendment after thorough
State discussion, generally admitted
to be too sweeping, and a substitute
bill passed covering this pledge.
ALLOWING constitution to be amend
ed with greater ease, passed by both
Houses.
Amendment providing for excess
condemnation of land, passed by both
Houses.
STRENGTHENING of the civil service,
various bills, submitted by the civil
service commission passed both Hous-
eS.
Legislation in the interests of la
Dor. A general strengthening of the
Labor Department approved by both
employers and employees, passed both
Houses and vetoed by Governor.
Improved public road system. An
exhaustive plan prepared and intro
duced in the Legislature, but because
of the extreme Importance of the sub
ject, the joint highway committee of
Senate and House have been contin-
ued to study the subject between
meetings of the Legislature, and to
have prepared a complete solution at
the next session.
Improvement of waterways. Cow
cred by the Inauguration of the new
Department of Commerce and Navi-
cation.
Conservation of potable waters.
Covered by the Inauguration of the
new Department of Conservation and
development.
Combining of scattered agricultu-
raj activities, now handling between
$2O0,00 and $780, 900 of State money.
Passed both Houses.
providing for the continuation of
the Economy and Efficiency Commits
sion by appropriation, so that this
work can be pushed to completion.
ain addition to all the above, which
practically covers the platform pied
ges, and of the gravest Importance,
the Republican legislative administra-
ton faced, as is well known, amost
serious financial crisis, and have CIV
en- it much thoughtful care, study and
attention.
GAS a result the appropriations
have been cut down $1,200,000, and
yet it is confidently asserted by the
committee that the maintenance of
every existing institution has been
properly cared for and all projects
under construction have been contin-
ued. Certainly new improvements
have not been started and neither can
they be until the deficit is entirely
wiped out. That's one of the accepted
penalties of being poor, whether in
or nuhlic life.
"The Republicans feel that in
other year with the same care, the
deficit will be disposed of, and new
projects can be conservatively under
taken. Of course, a State tax or bond
would permit of greater expan-
sion and would be entirely business
like and practical, and much thought
has been given to this possibility, but
perhaps it is just as well to allow
New Jersey to practice strictest econ
while others are doing likewise,
and her responsibilities will not be ne
elected in the meantime.
"Again, much time and considera-
ton has been given to the important
ouac+ion of +ha Morris Canal aban-