The Monmouth inquirer., 1918-03-07
LEGISLATURE ENDS
IN RECORD Time
Closes Shortest Session in So
Years on Date Set, and Only
a Few Hours Behind Time.
FINISHED IN EIGHT WEEKS.
Disagreement Between the Senate and
House on Appropriations Settled Just
Before Adjournment-many Radical
Changes Made in Policies of State.

Before Adjournment-Many Radical
Changes Made in Policies of State.
renton.-Delayed several hours be-
cause of dispute between the senate
and house over amendments made TO
the appropriation bill, the one hundred
and forty-second term Of the legisla-
ture adjourned sine die after one of
the most orderly and businesslike ses-
sions New Jersey has ever known.
1t was not a first page session, The
spectacular was lacking Even local
option and the companion liquor regu-
lation measure, which will probably be
looked back to as among the most inn
portant laws enacted, went through al
most as a matter Of routine.
The legislature of this year will be
noted for administrative reforms. Such
things as the proposed development of
a state highway system. steps to build
a bridge over the Delaware and a traf-
fic tunnel under the Hudson, the plan
for greater development of harbor IA
facilities in and around New York as
a New Jersey as well as a New York
enterprise, the creation of a single
board of control for penal, charitable
and other institutions in the place Of a
multiplicity of commissions. state regu-
lation of private employment agencies
and similar acts deserve appreciation.
Some legislation of a revolutionary
nature has been enacted this year.
The act imposing an income tax upon
the gross receipts of public utility cor
porations instead of the usual levy on
their personal property IS in this class.
So is the election reform law.
67e Bills introduced.
In all go bills have been introduced,
263 in the senate and 30 in the house
OF these 152 have become laws, and
145 bills were piled on the governors
desk awaiting his signature
The wind-up thus came witt the cal
endars of both houses practically free
on the last day of the more important
measures. Ratification of the federal
prohibition amendment and the passage
of the state constabnlary bill were the
only subjects cf state wide character
which the lawmakers blocked.
The final day was marked by con-
fInnous grind in the upper house and
few fights Oh bills Of lesser impor-
tance. while in the assembly a bitter
fight ensued. forced by Minority Leader
Simpson, on both the prohibition refer
endum bill and the prohibition ratifica-
ton resolution, Mr.. Simpson losing out
on both through the solidarity Of the
Republican forces. For the first time
In many years the house concluded its
business before the senate did.
Governor Edge and the Republican
leaders in both houses gave evidence
of their satisfaction over the accom-
plishments of the session, and the
adoption Of the usual resolutions of
congra tulatory character was taken as
an indication that whatever political
differences there had been were for
gotten.
Achievements of the Session.
Few legislative sessions have placed
more radical laws on the statute books
without opposition OF an effective
character. The possession conferences
of the majority on the legislative pro-
gram and the appointment of joint
platform committee helped materially
in enabling the Republicans to accom-
plish as much work as they did in the
limit of eight weeks which Governor
Edge had advised.
The achievements of the sp, edy ses-
sion included the enactment Of bridge
and tunnel legislation. a new corrupt
practices act. election reform, addi-
tional safeguards in municipal financ-
ing. public utility income tax in lieu
of tax on personal property, local op-
ton. state control of the fisheries,
home rule as applied TO county govern
ment, creation Of state council Of de-
tense by mayors, reforms in civil serv-
ice. readjustment of the tax year and
system, including semiannual payment
of taxes: the boxing bill, state militia
reserve and the creation of additional
members Of the Public Utilities Com
mission.
Everything was in readiness for the
wind-up promptly at six o'clock when
the Republican senators got wind of
the changes being made in the house
in the appropriations bill Trey imme-
diately went into conference and unan-
imously voted not to accept the house
amendments The house was equally
as stubborn. with the result that q con
| ference committee was named, consist
ing of Senators Wells. Fithian and
Stevens and ASsemblymen Pierson,
Winnie and Kellam.
Contest Between Two Houees-
The real hitch came over an appro-
nriation of $4,000 for a site for nor
NAL school at Elizabeth, for which As
sembIvman Morgan put up fight