New-York tribune., 1920-01-21

the part Of the state, effectively apply
to US.
Wherefore, to guard against the con-
tingency of there being an attempt to
enforce Federal legislation between the
adjournment Of the present session Of
the Legislature and the determination
of the validity of the Eighteenth
Amendment, which legislation may be
contrary to the expressed desire of our
the passage of legislation which will
assure to our people the right to live
under conditions satisfactory to them.
That proposed legislation has been
drawn and will be introduced at this
session.
Urges Speedy Action
II earnestly urge upon you the speedy
passage Of that bill. Regardless Of
party affiliation, the members of the
Legislature must respond to the will
OF the people and the people have de-
clared themselves on this subject.
"Second-1 am advised by counsel
that grave doubt exists whether the
amendment was legally ratified, and
that the same doubt exists as to it's
being proper subject for legislation
ny amendment to the Constitution. l,
therefore, propose to request the At
" the state 70 present
20 the United States Supreme Court
the petition of the State Of New Jersey
as sovereign state, praying that these
questions may be speedily determined
50 that our citizens may know What
their rights are in the premises.
Ihlrd-That there shall be passed
by the Legislature resolution refus
ing to ratlfy or accept TIC said amend
ment.
my policy on this subject will. no
doubt. provoke from some the criticism,
that l am Haunting the Constitution
Of the United States l WELD to no one
IN my respect ana regard for that
declaration Of our rights and liberties.
But l am strong in my conviction that
the rights of New Jersey Is a sovereign
state under the Constitution have been
invaded and l insist it is my sworn
duty to have it definitely establishe d
In legal manner by the duly consti-
tuted authorities whether that is so or
not.
whatever criticism may come. l will
not abandon my position that ou,
rights have been infringed until other.
wise determined by the courts"
Next in Importance in the Cover
n.or's address to the prohibition ques
ton was the matter OF public utilities
He declared that the people of the
state had become weary of the con,
tinual litigation of fares and rates
not only because of the court expense
involved, but also because of the un-
satisfactory nature of the results thu:
far obtained.
Other subjects dealt with by the
Governor in his address were the
state highway commission, interstate
bridge and tunnel, housing, labor ane
suffrage.
Vast Throng Present
The Inauguration Of Governor Ed
wards took place on the portico Of the
State Capitol and WAS witnessed, de
spite the fact that snow covered the
ground and cold wind blew con
stantly, by great crowd. Chief Jus
tice William Gummere administered
the oath
Following the inaugural ceremonies
Governor Edwards reviewed a parad,
of more than 10000 Democrats from
every section of the state. Among the
marchers we're Joseph p Tumulty
secretary to President Wilson; Mayo
Frank Hague, of Jersey City. ane
James r. Nugent, of Newark.
Ratification by the New Jersey Legis
lature Of the woman suffrage amend
ment to the Federal Constitution wa.
given serious setback in the Assembly
to-day by the passage of resolution
which provides that all proposed amend
ments to the Constitution Of the United