Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-03-28

DEFIES BOSS NCTATTON

Credit must be given A@emblyman Agans, Democrat, OF Hunter
don county for the manner in which he asserts his Independence of
the jim Nugent machine that controls his party at Trenton Agans
is no blind follower of the political boss. He uses his own judgment
in regard to bills and when one comes up that he knows IS wrong ne
does not hesitate to oppose it regardless of who is back of it.
Aganss good work is particularly noticeable S a member of the
social welfare committee, which is one of the socaled Democratic
committees. That is, in dividing the committees n a "hfty-hfty
basis as a result of the tie in the assembly, this committee was one OF
those on which the Democrats were to have a majority representation
Bat Assemblyman Agans, who is one of the Democratic members of
this committee, is necessary to control. incidentally, it IS interesting
to know that Assemblyman Warner, of Union county, but who is in
business in Perth Amboy, ion of the Republican members of that
same committee.
Jim Nugent, the Essex county boss, and who manipulates the Es-
sex brewery delegation in the legislature Isl if they were S many mani
kins, caused Assemblyman whalen to introduce a bill which would
repeal the socaled injunction and abatement act, which is an act Civ
ing the court of chancery jurisdiction over buildings and places where
liquors are sold and houses Of prostitution. This law actually is effect
i've and some of Nugents powerful lieutenants have found themselves
in trouble a a result of it; they have had their nefarious business in
terfered with considerably.
Accordingly, Nugent had the bill to repeal the law introduced
and it was referred to the social welfare committee which had a Dem
ocratic majority. But Assemblyman Agans joined with the two Re-
pbieans on that committee in refusing to report the bill on the
ground that. it is a vicious piece of legislation; he stuck to his guns
regardless of all the pressure that the Essex boss could bring to bear
upon him. Finally the petition of fifteen was resorted to in order to
force the bill out on the floor of the House. But when it was thus
brought out if was found that there were not enough votes to pass it
and it was withdrawn.
Monday night the same bill with a few changes i'll it, was intro
-yjueed bgAsemblyman Barrett, the Democratic leader IN the House,
who is also one of Jim Nugents brewery delegation. Again the bill
was referred to the social welfare committee and again Assembyman
Agans stood by the two Republican members of that committee in re-
fusing to report the measure. And once more Nugents men are re-
sorting to the petition of fifteen TO force the bill out. 1t remains to be
seen whether this bill will fare any better than the previous attempt
to play into the hands of Jim Nugent for the benefit of the question
able resort owners in Newark. @
1t is interesting to note that this particular law which Jim NJ
gent would have his Democratic cohorts force the legislature to re-
peal is one of the seven standard laws recommended by the United
States government for the protection of soldiers and sailors. The law
is credit to the state of New Jersey and has been the means of abol
ishing many notorious resorts, particularly in Essex and Hudson
counties. 1t is not surprising that Jim Nugent wants the law repealed
because it puts out of business the very men Nugentl depends upon to
do his dirty work. 1t remains to be seen whether there are enough
men in the legislature like Assemblyman Agans, Independent enough
TO defy boss detahon, and kill the bill. .-.
~~~