The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1916-08-08

who seeks the Republican nomina-
ton for Governor is nearly forty
three years of age He has lived
in New Jersey continuously for IL
of these years He has been associ-
ated with legislative activities at
Trenton, except for a few years,
since 1897 He was Journal Clerk
of the Senate in 1897-98-99, and
was promoted to the Secretaryship
of the Senate in 1901, holding that
Office for four years, longer than any
previous incumbent. He was elected
to the Assembly in 1909 by the
largest majority ever accorded
candidate in Atlantic County, and
was made the Majority Leader when
he took his seat, an unprecedented
distinction.
Colonel Edge was elected to the
Senate in the following year, and
with the present session, will have
served six years in that body. He
served as Majority Leader and in
recognition of his ability was made
President of the. Senate for the ses-
sion of 1915. During Governor
Fielder's absence in California and
in Boston last year he served as
Acting-Governor for five weeks.
During this period he was called
upon to decide some very important
extradition matters, one of which
established legal precedent, an ex-
haustive opinion from the Chancellor
of New Jersey sustaining his con-
illusions and furnishing a rule for
future guidance. His knowledge of
legislative and executive details,
therefore, is the product of studious
observation and a wide range of ex-
perience
Senator Edge was responsible for
New Jerseys famous Workmen's
Compensation Act, introducing the
act with much prejudice existing
against 1t at the time, and finally Sc
cured its passage through the Legis-
lature, when it was approved by
President Wilson, then Governor of
New Jersey. This act has since been
conceded to be one of the most prac-
tical-working Compensation Acts in
existence, and the features have been
copied by many States.
He fathered and secured the pass
age of the Ten Hour Woman's Work
bill, half fare for ministers on rail
roads, an act compelling safety de-
vices on elevators, an act permitting
formation of mutual liability COM
panies, which greatly cut down the
premium rate charged by stock com
panies.
He was to great extent RESPONSE
Bile, as a member of the House. for
the adoption of the amendment to
the general act, providing for the
revaluation of all railroad property
in the State for taxation purposes.
which has resulted in increased in
come from this source totaling many
thousands of dollars.
He fathered the amendment to the
Road Act, providing State aid for
roads running through small towns,
as we'll as in country districts.
He introduced and had adopted
acts providing that the conditions in
factories be made more healthful to
help in the preventing of occupation
al disease
He prepared and had passed the
joint resolution providing for the ap-
pointment of the Economy and Eff
cheney Commission, of which Com
mission he became chairman. and
after three years of hard work sue
ceeded in passing in the Legislature
bills emanating from this Commits
sion:
Creating a State Department of
Conservation and Development. and
consolidating various departments
into one.
Creating a Department of Com
merce and Navigation and likewise
consolidating various departments
under one.
Combining the State Board of AS
SCISSORS and State Board of Taxation
into one Board of Taxes and Assess
ment.
Combining various scattered Oys-
ter and Shell Commissions into one
general Department of Shell Fish
cries.
Completely recognizing the Board
of Health and establishing in its
place a modern Department of
Health.
AT the last session and following
out his policy of legislation intro
ducing business principles into State
government, he was the sponsor for
the State Budget System bill, which
will provide for close contact he
tween the Executive and the various
departments of the State govern
ment, and is also the sponsor for the
Dill putting into effect Central Pur-
cnaslng Agency, whereby the 81
100000 of ordinary purchases made
annually in New Jersey will be made
IN bulk and saving approximately
$zOO'OOO per year secured for the
taxpayers
This has been suggested for years
put was only made possible through
senator's Edges well known persist
ency.> He has just succeeded in
passing bill, abolishing the State
census and thus saving another clear
100000.