The Penn's Grove record., 1917-02-09
STATE CAPITOL NEWS
What The State Officials Are
Doing. What The Political
Leaders Are Talking
About

a AAthcE AAAC WIN nAEA tA% ACElS44~
ture, with Democrats and Republicans
standing solidly together, voted support
to President Wilson in his diplomatic
break with Germany, and appropriated
100000 as an emergency fund to pur-
chase supplies and equipment for the Nat
ional Guard and the Naval Reserves and
to pay the soldiers who are on duty
guarding the State Armories. Arsenals,
etc.
The patriotic support given the Presi-
dent stirred the Assembly, il luding the
spectators in the galleries, and as the
resolution was passed there America
was sung. led by Assemblyma. Runyon.
Of Union, noted for his fine baritone
voice. 1t was unanimously passed in
the Senate also, but without ~demonstra-
lion there Leader Oiiphant offered the
resolution in the House. 1t recited in
its preamble that New Jersey has al
ways stood in the forefront in the strug-
gle for the peoples rights and ideals and
Governor Edge has pledged the support
# this state to the President, and then
continued:
BE it Resolved, by the Legislature.
That we express our confidence in the
wisdom, patriotism and ability of the
President in preserving the honor. tradi-
tons and ideals of the American people,
and of the Governor and those in au-
thority with him, in placing at the dis
posal of the National Government the
strength and of the state.''
News that was not at all reassuring
came to the State Military Officers yes
terday morning. leading Adjutant Bar
Der to confer with Governor Edge. Later
Gen. Barber saw Senate Republican
Leader McCran. The bill for the $780,
900 appropriation was then drafted and
the Republican Senators in conference
decided to pass it at once. Senator Nc
Gran conferred with Senator F1orance,
Of Middlesex. the Democratic leader, and
he said at once that the minority would
support such a measure. Immediately
after the opening prayer yesterday morn
ing in the Senate the bill was introduced
and in six minutes WAS passed under
suspension of the rules. Every Demo-
craft and Republican present voted for It.
In introducing it and asking for its
immediate passage, Senator McCran
said there was No cause for alarm but it
was the part of wisdom to take pre-
cautions and be prepared. The Assem-
bly, passed the bill yesterday afternoon.
Democratic Leader Geran raised the tech
meal objection that the act should have
been a supplement to the regular appro-
p~riation act. However all the Demo-
crafts Joined the Republicans in passing it.
Governor Edge had left the Capitol for
New York before its passage in the House
" he would nave signed it Immediately.
He will approve it today. The Governor
went to New York with Secretary Croas-
dale to be the guest at a dinner rendered
to him by the members of the Senate at
the Hotel McAlpin. Before the dinner
they attended the Palace Theatre.
Because of the seriousness Of the inter-
national situation, the Senate and As
sembly yesterday adjourned from day to
day until next Monday evening. Theori-
tically, this is the usual adjournment for
the week, but actually it means that the
Legislators remain under call to return
any day this week if the Developments
with Germany make further emergency
steps necessary. The adjournment from
day to day will obviate the necessity of
the Governor issuing a proclamation
calling them back.
The Hates jitney law which caused a
hot fight last winter in the Legislature
pefore it was passed. is repealed in a bill
introduced this week by Senator Os-
borne. of Essex County. Senator Os-
borne declared that a jitney is no more
a vehicle TO be taxed than a butcher
wagon. A~ssemblyman Hurley. Of Hud-
son, put in a bin abolishing the tax of
five per cent of the gross receipts on jit-
neys and providing a fiat license fee Of
$50 a year for each.
The county detective bill giving coun-
ties four instead Of three detectives and
increasing their salary was favorably re-
ported in the Senate this week.
Among the other important measures
introduced in the Legislature this week
were the following:
Giving women the right to vote for
Presidential and Vice Presidential cleo
tors; for IN investigation Of fire insur-
ance rates by a committee of FIVE assem-
blymen, this resolution carrying an ap-
preparation of $1,000; providing for a
State Athletic Commission Of three menu
bers, each to receive a salary of $500,
to supervise boxing and sparring contests
e~xempting farm laborers and domestic
help from the operation of the employ
ers' liability law; prohibiting selling of
cigarettes to minors and forbidding their
being advertised a single tax bill b.
Senator Osborne, exempting AL buildings
and other Improvements on land from
taxation, and taxing only the land, and
containing a referendum ON the question.
The Senate Committee on Municipal
Corporations yesterday reported a com
mittee substitute for Senate biIls ] and
40, the " local option measures, the
former by Senator Gaunt. Of Gloucester
County, and the latter ~ Senator Mac
eoxrrxUzp ox Hzax !