Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-01-11
LEGISLATURE OPENS 145TH
ANNUAL SESSION TODAY
CONTINUED from page ~

The House of Assembly provided
the real features. incident to the
opening of the session. For the first
time in the history of New Jersey
two ome Mrs. Margaret b. Laird
and Mrs. Jennie c. Van Ness, both
OF Essex, took their seats as repre-
sentatives of the people in the state
legislature. Their desks like those
of many of their colleagues In both
senate and House were filled with
handsome floral tributes.
For the first time also in the
states history, the colored race saw
one of their number take his seat as
a duly elected lawmaker. DIR. Wal
ter G. Alexander. also of the Essex
Republican delegation, is the first OF
his people to win this distinction.
The House also saw AA;emblyman
Harry Runyon, of Warren. the lone
Democrat in a sea of Republicans,
sworn into office. Two ministers
also assumed their responsibilities
as members of the assembly. They
are the Rev. Warren Patten Coon, a
former army chaplain, also of the
unique Essex delegation of 1921.
and the Rev. A. Lincoln Moore. of
ueHe0aess
A note of sadness was injected in
to the organization ceremonies as
tribute was paid to the late John b.
Rosser, assemblyman-elect from
Hudson county, who died several
weeks ago. His desk will be draped
in mourning throughout the session
Of this legislature.
An echo of the days when the
late Garrett A. Hobart, who vas
vice president of the United States.
was one of the powers in state af-
fairs and the Republican party, was
heard today when George S. Hobart.
of Essex also, a nephew of the de-
ceased leader, was chosen to be the
speaker of the House for this ses-
sion.
Upton s. Jefferys. of Camden, and
Captain James Parker. of Passaic,
were again chosen respectively to be
clerk and assistant clerk of the as
sembly.
eAssemblyman T. Harry Rowland,
of Camden, an able and popular
younger member of the lower legis-
lature branch, assumed his new
duties as floor leader for the major
ity. The Republicans have ifty-eight
members in the new House. the
death Of Rosser cutting their
strength by me-. The Democrats
will be represented soledy by Mr..
Runyen. Being completely in con-
troll the Republicans will dominate
the work of the assembly at this
session absolutely. Over fifty jobs.
totaling $21.O00 in salaries for the
session. were divided upon the fifty
eight Republican members today.
A flood of bills was expected to
follow the completion of the organ
ization this afternoon However,
the Republican conference commit
tee, according to previous announce
ments would rot have ready its inn
portant utility board program. Final
decision on the makeup or that
legislation has been deferred until
Saturday of this week. when the
committee is scheduled to go into
conference at Atlantic City on this
and the State Highway Commission
situation.
1t is known that there is a wide
split in the Republican ranks on the
wisdom of taking from Governor
Edwards the appointments to the
Utility Board and political observers
here would not be surprised If the
bill that is finally presented is silent
on the question of taking this au-
thority from the governors office.
There is a great doubt as to its abil-
of independent Republican measures
have already indicated their incli-
nation to bring Governor Edwards
nominations for the new Utility
Board to a vote.
1t is expected that among the
measures 10 be presented this after
noon will be those of the anti-saloon
league calling for a state prohibition
enforcement law. a resolution TO
ratify the eighteenth amendment.
and a bill to repeal the Edwards
$50 beer law passed in the 1920
session.
Various other proposed laws
touching upon a variety of subjects
are looked for.