Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-02-23

PotHt VIC hBut iots 40 ehcAC nhy pun
pect at present of winning the "Free-
dom or The Seasn for ourselves and
other n%eutrals? We see none.
During the Civil war this country
confiscsted property at sea In violation
of the principle we have always held
dear. We did 1t because "Tbe Freedom
OF The Seas" had not been established
as a world principle, and England does
1t now for the same reason. Germany
goes a step further and shocks the
world with what we term piracy aud
murder on the high seas.
There Is no greater catastrophe in
sight for this country than plunging
into war. II after Weighing every side
of the question, the President and Con-
gress decides on war. we will all stand
by, but it is right to let our represent ia
tives know where we stand before the
step lie taken.
Germany does not want war with
US. Her intention OF furnishing her
enemies with every weapon at hand
regardless OF any humane or interna-
tional law, In the hope of winning the
war, is greater than her fear of this
country. II war ia declared ii Is prob
able that this country will have to take
the first step. Germany will carry out
her intentions in the var zones whether
we like it or not, but she will not make
war directly on US except as she sinks
neutral ships in the barred zones,
unless we fire the first shot.
wWM
A big grist of bills have been intro
duced in New Jersey Legislature at the
present session, many of which will
never get beyond the committees to
which they are referred. while a num-
Der are important enough to attract a
lot of attention and discussion. There
is an attempt In one series of bills to re-
duce the expense of holding elections.
1t is claimed that under existing laws
the freeholders in the various counties
pay election bills without knowing the
details or purpose of some of the items,
and it is proposed to have a supervision
of the bi Is by the freeholders who are
responsible for their payment.
Assembly Bill 143 provides that for
all except special or municipal cleo
tons the municipal clerk shall make
requisition for the needed quantity of
ballots and other necessary forms and
supplies, aud the same shall be pull
chased forth with, by the board of
chosen ~freeholders, and in this way 1t
is expected that the freeholders can
keep an exact tally on what is furnished
and paid for. 1t also provides that a
warrant may be dra wn ~psyableto the
municipal clerk which shall include
the compensation of all the members
OF the election board in that munic-
Senate Bill IS provides that expenses
and charges incurred by municipal
clerks including the charges and ex-
penses incurred for rooms for polling
and fitting upand arranging the
sane, and al other expenses incurred
BY any officer or person, other than the
clerk and the county board of
elections, 10 carrying out the provisions
Of the election la VS., shall be paid by
the respective municipalities, and not
as heretofore. by the respectile counties,
provided however, that the compensa-
ton of the members of the districtboards
of registry and election, the cost of
printing ballots for elections other than
municipal elections not held for the
whole county, and the compensation
the county clerk the compensation
and expenses of the county boards of
election, shall be betrayed by the
county.
Assembly Bill 1872 refers to the COM
pensation members of local election
boards shall receive In cities with a pop
ulation exceeding 38 900, and for all tax
Ing election districts except cities with
a population exceeding SO, 900. La the
latter class which includes all of Cum
berland and Salem counties as well as
a number of other counties and the dis
tricts outside of large cities in all coun-
ties, each member of the local board of
registry and election would receive, for
each registry day, $500, and for election
day, including the counting of the votes
aud the delivery Of the returns and bal
lot box, 81 90.
While the com pensation above men,
toned is evidently meant to apply only
to local or charter elections, it is not
clearly stated. The following is the por-
ton Of the bill which evidently relates