The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1926-04-02
More Successes
Than Failures
Controversial Issues and
Stirring Up Party Strife
Were Avoided
Work Of The Legislature

Analysed from the viewpoint
of political expediency, the 15Oth
session of the Legislature, which
virtually came to close last
week, may be credited with more
successes than failures. In most
instances controversial issues
which might have been instru-
mental in arousing the ire of
large groups of voters and stir
ring up party strife were avoided.
Though the session may not be
credited with having enacted any
outstanding legislation, it is no
less free from blame for making
any laws of a distinctly vicious
or Objectionable type.
In field of perhaps dozen
aspirants for higher political
honors, especially in the Senate,
no individual achieved any not
able political advantage and none
seriously injured whatever previ-
Gus chances he may have had for
advancement.
There was not bill passed of
sufficient general interest and i'm
portance to bring fame to it's
sponsor by bearing his name as
the author or introducer.
From the Republican viewpoint
the most difficult question to han
die was the stand to be taken on
prohibition Nearly every Repub-
lican ader in the State admits
the desirability of having the is
sue removed as far as may be
from politics before 1928 when,
besides voting for a President,
Governor and United States Sen
ator are to be chosen. Unable to
agree upon any affirmative course,
such as statewide referendum
or a memorial to Congress. the
leaders adopted a policy of doing
nothing and leaving the future to
care for itself. The single eXcep-
ton to that plan was the adop-
ton of Mr.. Pascoe's resolution
in the House commencing New
Jerseys two United States Sen
ators for the position they have
taken on modification and a ma
tion-wide referendum.
Primary Chance Fails
Intimately linked up with the
prohibition issue was the unsuc-
cessful effort to modify the direct
primary law by substituting the
convention system of nominating
candidates for Governor and
United States Senator. By such
a system it was hoped that not
only a candidate but platforms
might be chosen that would meet
with popular approval and return
the State to the Republican
ranks.
The Republican majority scored
a hit with the teachers OF the
State by appropriating the entire
amount asked for by the trustees
of the teachers pension and an
nuity fund, having a membership
of approximately 10000 public
school teachers. That was polit-
ically wise, whatever the differ
ences of opinion or financial ques-
lions at stake.
Took Chance on Trolley Bill
In passing a bill relieving trac-
ton companies from street-paving
obligations under old franchise
agreements with municipalities,
the Republicans took something
of a political chance. BY a cam
paign of education the traction
interests, mainly the Public
Service Railway Company, had
undertaken to show that the re-
lief sought was not only equitable
but essential if the present rate
of fare was to be maintained and
adequate service provided. That
position was endorsed by the Pub
lie Utility Commission Aand sub
scribed to by financiers gener-
ally.
The political danger of the paw
ing legislation lies in the fact
that Governor Moore may veto
the bill and that, if passed over
his veto, the Republicans may be
charged with aiding the traction
interests as against the public.
Such arguments have been used
effectively where rates were in
volved, and usually without
much regard to the merits of the
controversy. Whether the public
has been educated sufficiently to
consider dispassionately the finan
cial difficulties of the traction
companies in New Jersey remains
to be determined.
In any event. the paving meas
ure. though involving large sums
annually, is an indirect form OF
relief not likely to create the flu
rore which usually follows an in
crease in rates.
The Republicans side-stepped
another political controversy by
budying the measures which
would permit the reading of any
part of the Bible in the public
schools and permitting religious
instruction in the schools. SINH
lar action was taken with the
civil-riehts bill urged by Negro
organizations throughout the
State.
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1.-THE rich man in America
/, L., &c