Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-03-03
GODFREY ANGRY
AS CANAL BILLS
RUN NINTOSTORM
His Temper Gone, He Says
East Jersey Water Co. Is
Behind Opposition.
TAKES FLOOR TO TELL
HOW STATE WILL PROFIT"
Republicans Pass Measures on
Second Reading, Then Post
pone Action Until Monday.
Special to the Evrnine star.

special TO the EVfning STAR
TRENTON. March Safer four
hours of lighting yesterday afternoon.
the Godfrey Morris canal abandon
ment bills are today in the House of
Assembly with the status of having
passed second reading amended only
by the Republican majority The de-
bate on the bills as they passed Sec
ond reading was marked by bitter
denunciations. attacks and counter
attack. examinations and recrimina-
tons
During it all the Republican ma
jority. which took lashing at the
hands OF the minority members led by
Thomas F. Martin. of Hudson county.
was without the aid of its floor leader,
Judge Runyon. The Union man was
stricken with an attack of indigestion
before the afternoon session con-
vened, and while the battle on the
floor of the House was wag.ng he lay
in the room back of the speakers
rostrum prostrated and with two doc
tors in attendance. Runyon felt keen
ly his inability to pilot his Repub-
lican colleagues through one of the
Assembly's most important sessions
of this winter. and broke down after
the session had adjourned and he was
being assisted from the House to the
corridor of the capitol.
Martin Causes First Fight.
The first 6ght came when Minority
House consider the bills and amend
ments to them on second reading as
a committee Of the whole. This mo-
ton of the Hudson leader was lost
by a vote of 80 to %. Assemblyman
Wolv erton voting with the Demo-
Gratis and also several members OF
the !. assaic delegation. Wolverton
explained his vote. He thought that
the utmost freedom should be given
the discussion on the canal bills,
owing TO their importance, and be-
neved with Martin that by consider
ing them as a Committee Of the whole
House this freedom could be had. As
publican, OF Essex. chairman CT the
committee on railroads and canals,
led the fight against the Democrats
as the bills were passed on second
reading.
Godfrey Accuses Democrats.
Speaker Godfrey, from the floor OF
the House, made the remark
able charge that the Democratic
members of the House who are op-
posing his bills providing for the
abandonment of the Morris Canal.
were working in the interests OF the
East Jersey Water Company which
corporation was ''backine the opposi-
on" 10 the measure The statement
was regarded as quite humorous, but
developed the liveliest discussion
since the opening of the session.
The bills came up shortly after 8
O'Clock this afternoon, which time was
fixed yesterday on motion Of Assem-
blyman Barradale. chairman of the
committee on railroads and canals.
Immed. .ately Minority Leader Martin
was on his feet He moved that the
House resolve itself into a committee
OF the whole. This, Mr.. Martin point
ed out. would permit Of the speaker
leaving his chair and coming to the
floor OF the House at which an open
discussion Of the bills could be had.
The five-minute rule. too. would be
adopted The motion was lost.
Then AssembIyman Wolverton, Of
Can.len, offered an amendment to
Bill 63 which would provide for the
Payment by the Lehigh Valley Raj
road of a minimum of SO 500 000 in
stead of 81 900 200. as set forth in the
bill. During the discussion that fol-
lowed Assenblyman Smith, Of Eesex,
requested the speaker to take the
floor for the purpose OF informing the
members OF the House on the step
proposed by Mr.. Wolverton. Mr..
Smith took the Speakers place.
"Bius Will Pass" Says Godfrey.
In opening his remarks, Speaker
Godfrey referred TO the men who for
three years had 'gone over the sub
Ject" OF canal abandonment. He
commented on the calIbre Of the men
and their regulations throughout the
state. He said he felt their juds-
n.ent should be rewarded by favorable
action. He announced that the bills
would be enacted into laws He
made the statement without qualifica-
tIon.
Mr.. Martin wanted to know from
the speaker what authority he had
for the statement that the Morris
Canal Abandonment Commission had
placed the limit for the amount ixed
at $500, 900 payment. He pointed to
the report, which said nothing Of the
kind. Mr. Godfrey made vague
answers. Then Mr.. Martin charged
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