Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-01-14
split IN c. O.P.
HALTS CURB BILLS
Seven Members Refsue to Aid
Measures to Tie N. J. Gov
ernor's Hands
BOTH HOUSES ORGANIZE

Trenton. Jan, 1i.--Organization Of
the New Jersey legislature was effected
without ripple to disturb the har-
mony of the occasion. but beneath the
outward serenity were signs Of under
lying differences pointing to a lively po-
litical struggle before the session is far
advanced
Incidents of the day. apart from the
formal organization. included the swear
Ing in of Senator Clarence II. Case as
acting governor for a week. Endorsement
of James II. Nugent by the Democratic
Bssemblymen from Essex as a candidate
for President on an anti prohibition
I platform, unanimous Endorsement by
Republicans OF Newton \. Is. Bugbee
for another term as state comptroller
and an agreement among the Democrats
to support d measure sanchoning the
manufacture and sale of beverages con
tanning not more than . per cent OF
alcohol.
Women of New Jersey renewed their
fight on the question of whether
the Legislature shall ratify the suffrage
amendment to the United States conStl- :
tuition. Coincidcnt with the opening OF
tho Legislature three separate headquar-
ters were opened in this city by the
National Woman's party and the New
Jersey State Suffrage Association. which
favor ratification. aud the Association
Opposed to Woman Suffrage. visor-
GUS campaign will be conducted from
each headquarters until the Legislature
finally acts upon the question OF rat-
4 fcation.
g. Split in G. o. T. Coming
Evidences of Republican split. al
ready intimated became more and more
apparent as the day went on. and after
n series of recesses and conferences the
Republicans were still uncertain as TO
the course to be pursued. The Senate
adjourned after organizing and the in
troJuction Of a unnber Of bills until to-
morrow morning. leaving the House
members to wrestle with party prob
lens for the time being.
Following conferences, lasting until
late yesterday. the Republican ma
jority decided to temporarily POSTPONE
its decision to force through legislation
curbing the power Of Governor elect
Edwards to remove officials. The reaI
reason for this. course was that the
K Republicans were unable to line uT
sufficient votes to insure passage OF the
legislation. Seven members OF the House
fatty declared they would not support
the bills unless there WIS included in
them right of appeal to the courts by
had been decided against by the Re
publican conference ard the refusal OF
{. the seven members 20 abiGe b. this lie
cision resulted in much confusion.
In addition. it was learned that strong
opposition to the curbiug legislation had
become manifest in the Senate. aud il
seemed certain that at least three and
possibly five of the Republican senators
: would vote against the bills.
Message Free From Politics
Governor Runyon's message submit
ted to the Legislature at its opening
: session was a forceful preseuta
tion of his views respecting a score o
subjects with which the Legislature vii
= be called upon TO deal between now an
the time Of final adjournment. Th
message was entirely free from polite
and contained only general recommends
tionS which GoverICr RdryCn believe,
should be followed In most cases thu
details were left entirely for the Legis
lature 10 work out.
One of the outstanding features o.
the message was an appeal to the law
makers to take no action which woulC
place New Jersey in the position Of
seeking to nUlify the federal con,
stitutiop. Until the validity of the
eighteenth amendment has been tinaly !
determined he said it should be re.
garded as the supreme law of the land
Prompt ratification of the woman suf
frage amendment to the constitution
was strongly urged in the message
Governor Runyon expressed the hope
that no legislation would be passed
tending to weaken observance of tn,
Sabbath.