New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-01
ECONOMY FIGHT
ON in N. ]. SENATE
Democrats Hope to Get
Control by Detection of
Senator White.
LOCAL OPTION BILL
EXPECTED TO PASS
So Far Legislature Has Done
Little Except Provide for
Vote on Suffrage.

Trenton. Feb. 2s.-The crucial point
in this session of the Legislature will
be reached to-nigh, when the eight
economy and efficiency bills come up in
the Senate for third reading and fns!
passage. To-night's session will begin
the eighth week, and thus far both the
Republicans and Democrats concede
that il has been a barren session.
The only important proposition that
'1as gone through both houses is the
resolution providing for n special cleo
ton TO pass upon an amendment TO the
constitution which would allow equal
suffrage. Other thar this very few
measures have gone through, and those
few are unimportant.
The economy and efficiency bills,
however, are the most important that
have been introduced. Following their
submission by the commission 10 in
vestigate the subject of economy and
efficiency they were introduced in the
Senate by President Edge. Later they
were amended in vital parts, and now
the Democrats claim that they are no
longer the commissions bills, but arc
the product Of the Republican party.
Il is conceded that in their present
form the bills will arouse the united
opposition Of the Democrats. There
are ten Democrats in the Senate and
eleven Republicans, but II is stated
that Senator Blanchard White, OF
Burlington. will take stand with the
minority members tonight against the
amended bills. This will place the
Democrats in control of the Senate.
Senator White refuses to be quoted
on the subject, but II Is known that
o+bar day that he
would not allow any bills that were
harsh on Governor Fielder to 60
through. The bills as they stand at
present take the appointing power OF
The directors of the various depart
ments out of the hands Of Governor
Fielder.
This is not the frst time that Sen
ator White has shown a tendency TO
line up with the Democrats. He voted
with the minority q few weeks ago on
q very partisan measure. At last
Wednesdays session the Republicans
were inclined to amend bill that
White had introduced, so he INVOKED
the aid of the Democrats and got the
bill through In its original form. IL
also is remarked that he has not at
tended the conferences Of the majority
on these bills.
Every lDOlCdllOH pOliNo w q
orable session tonight 1t may also
have very important effect on the
remainder Of the session, as White Will
have to be reckoned with as free
lance on every important proposition.
Senator Gaunt, Of Gloucester, who
has been i'll, is expected to be back IN
his seat tonight. His local option
measure has been made a special order
of business. This bill will probably
mass the Senate unless Senator Read,
Of Camden, and other Republican mem,
bers take the stand that the Read Dill
should be passed in place Of the Gaunt
bill. The Read measure provides Tor
the submission 70 the voters at the
next general election of two queries 70
show whether or not this state is IN
favor of the passage of national pro-
hibition law.
Governor Fielder has as yet SHOWN
no disposition to settle the uncertainty
in connection with the appointment OF
the chief justice OF the Supreme Court
There is a general belief he Will re-
name Chief Justice William s Gum
mere Justice Gummere is Repubil-
can. and the court is now evenly d.
vided politically. His reappointment
will keen it so. but il he is not re-
named his successor will probably be
Democrat.