counties of the state," " approved April sixteenth, one thousand eight hundred and forty six,

Was taken up and read a third time.

Upon the question, "Shall this Engrossed bill pass?" it was decided as follows:

In the affirmative were

Messrs. Barber, Francis, Herbert, Johnson W. M., Kuhl, Reed, Stokes, Voorhees, Vreeland-9.

In the negative were

Messrs. Daly, Gould, Johnson H. W., Ketcham, Miller, Parry, Ross, Skirm, Stanger, Williams (President)-10.

Mr. Voorhees, Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, reported

Senate Bill No. 78, entitled "An act to set off and create a new township from the township of Union in the county of Union, to be called the township of Roselle Park,"

With amendments,

Which were read and adopted;

Senate Bill No. 236, entitled "An act to amend an act entitled 'An act to amend an act entitled "An act respecting police departments of cities and regulating the tenure and terms of office of officers and men employed in said departments,' """ approved March twenty-fifth, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-five, approved April sixth, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-six,

Favorably.

Mr. Francis, Chairman of the Committee on Elections, reported

Assembly Bill No. 156, entitled "A supplement to an act to regulate elections," approved April eighteenth, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six,

Favorably.

Mr. Ketcham, Chairman of the Committee on Banks and Insurance, reported

Senate Bill No. 183, entitled "An act to authorize banks, trust companies, savings banks or savings institutions, insurance companies, and surety, trust and safe deposit companies of this state, to invest moneys belonging to them, or deposited with them, in bonds issued under authority of the laws of this state by commissions appointed by the supreme court of this state,"

Favorably.

Senate Bill No. 183, entitled "An act to authorize banks, trust companies, savings banks or savings institutions, insurance companies, and surety, trust and safe deposit companies of this state, to invest

23 Sen Jour

moneys belonging to them, or deposited with them, in bonds issued under authority of the laws of this state by commissions appointed by the supreme court of this state,"

Was taken up, read a second time, considered by sections, agreed to, ordered to be engrossed, and to have a third reading.

On motion of Mr. Voorhees the Senate proceeded to the consideration of Executive business, on the conclusion of which, and,

Under the direction of the President, the Secretary called the Senate, when the following Senators appeared and answered the call: Messrs. Barber, Daly, Francis, Gould, Herbert, Johnson H. W., Johnson W. M., Ketcham, Kuhl, Miller, Parry, Reed, Ross, Skirm, Stanger, Stokes, Voorhees, Vreeland, Williams (President)—19.

Mr. Parry, Chairman of the Committee on Finance, reported the bond of George B. Swain, State Treasurer, as correct.

Said report was concurred in by the following vote:

In the affirmative were

Messrs. Barber, Daly, Francis, Gould, Herbert, Johnson H. W., Johnson W. M., Ketcham, Kuhl, Miller, Parry, Reed, Ross, Skirm, Stanger, Stokes, Voorhees, Vreeland, Williams (President)-19.

In the negative-None.

In accordance with the direction of the President, the Secretary carried the following bills to the House of Assembly, informed it that the Senate has passed the same and requests its concurrence therein:

Senate Bill No. 153, entitled "An act to provide for water supply for fire purposes in townships,"

Assembly Bill No. 135, entitled "A supplement to an act entitled 'An act to provide for the establishment of a commission of public instruction in cities of the second class in this state whose population now exceeds or may hereafter exceed fifty thousand,'”

With amendments;

And

Assembly Bill No. 229, entitled "An act to enable counties of the second class in this state to purchase land for county purposes," With amendment;

Also the following without amendment;

Assembly Bill No. 29, entitled "A further supplement to an act entitled 'An act concerning cities of the first class in this state, and constituting municipal boards of street and water commissioners therein, and defining the powers and duties of such municipal boards, and relating to the municipal affairs and departments of such cities placed

under the control and management of such boards, and providing for the maintenance of the same,'" approved March twenty-eighth, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-one,

And

Assembly Bill No. 87, entitled "A further supplement to an act entitled 'An act concerning cities of the first class in this state, and constituting municipal boards of street and water commissioners therein, and defining the powers and duties of such municipal boards and relating to the municipal affairs and departments of such cities placed under the control and management of such boards and providing for the maintenance of the same,'" approved March twenty-eighth, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-one.

The Senate then adjourned to meet at 3 P. M.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

At 3 o'clock the Senate met.

Under the direction of the President the Secretary called the Senate, when the following Senators appeared and answered the call: Messrs. Barber, Francis, Gould, Johnson H. W., Johnson W. M., Ketcham, Kuhl, Miller, Parry, Reed, Ross, Skirm, Stanger, Stokes, Voorhees, Vreeland, Williams (President)-17.

Mr. Parry, on leave, introduced

Senate Bill No. 242, entitled "An act to amend an act entitled 'A further supplement to an act entitled "An act concerning contagious and infectious diseases among animals, and to repeal certain acts relating thereto," approved May fourth, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-six,'" which further supplement was approved March twentyeighth, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five,

Which was read for the first time by its title, ordered to have a second reading, and referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Agricultural College.

Assembly Bill No. 78, entitled "An act to amend an act entitled 'An act relating to steam, heat and power companies,' " approved April twenty-first, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six,

Was taken up, read a second time, considered by sections, agreed to, and ordered to have a third reading.

The following communication was received from the Governor by the hands of Mr. Tuttle, his Private Secretary:

STATE OF NEW JERSEY,

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

TRENTON, March 23d, 1897.

Gentlemen of the Senate and General Assembly:

I deem it my duty, on account of the great importance of the subject, to call your attention to the matter of the report of the commissioners appointed by me in pursuance of the act of the Legislature, approved February 26th, 1896, to consider the subject of the pollution of the Passaic river and of a general system of sewage disposal for the relief of the valley of the Passaic. These commissioners have discharged the work submitted to them with great thoroughness and distinguished ability, and have presented their findings and conclusions in a report commendable for its comprehensiveness and thorough treatment of the difficult subject committed to their hands. The condition of the Passaic the Passaic river below the Great Falls at Paterson, a found and reported by them, is one calling for prompt and efficient remedy. They report distinctly and unqualifiedly that the river in its present state of pollution has become a nuisance to residents along the banks, by reason of the stench, and has caused depreciation of property and injury to health; that the river has ceased to be desirable for pleasure purposes and no longer possesses the park value which so generous a stream should afford the large population on its banks; that the use of the river for manufacturing purposes is suffering on account of the pollution, and in short that the river appeared to the commissioners to be completely established as a public nuisance and injury to health and an increasing menace to property interests from the Great Falls to below Newark.

Acting under the instruction and advice of competent engineers, chemists and bacteriologists, and legal counsel, they report that the only adequate plan for the abatement of this condition is the construction of a system of trunk-sewers leading from the Falls at Paterson to the Meadows below Newark, a particular account of which will be found in the engineer's report accompanying the report of the commissioners. The estimated cost of this sewer is six millions five hundred thousand dollars ($6,500,000). The report is accompanied by the draft of an act which the commissioners recommend the legislature to adopt, providing for the construction of such a trunk-sewer at the expense of the localities to be affected thereby.

On account of the lateness of the session it is now improbable that such an act will be considered this year. So far as I have

⚫ been able to consider the subject the reports and recommendations of the commissioners seem to be the wisest that could be made. It is undoubtedly advisable in matters of such serious importance to proceed with prudent deliberation and not with undue or inconsiderate haste, and therefore the postponement of the consideration of the proposed law until next year is not to be regretted. I think it very important, however, that it should be clearly understood that the subject will not be allowed to rest quiescent, but will be taken up for serious consideration at the next session of the Legislature. In the meantime the matter in all its bearings ought to be considered very carefully by all parties interested, and especially by those cities, towns, townships and boroughs that will be either immediately or in the future compelled to contribute to the expense of the proposed work. If during the interval between the adjournment of this Legislature and the meeting of the next, these different municipalities will officially investigate and consider the subject so as to be prepared to present their views, and their objections if they have them, to the next Legislature, it will greatly facilitate the consideration of the subject by the next Legislature. In order to put the subject into the hands of a body competent to hear suggestions, receive reports from the different localities and to present conclusions to the next Legislature, it would, in my judgment, be wise to have a special committee appointed from the two Houses with power to sit, if necessary, during the recess of the Legislature, with the understanding that the subject shall, during that recess, be committed to their charge, and that the officers of the various municipalities may communicate with them on the subject, and I accordingly recommend that such committee be appointed.

Respectfully,

JOHN W. GRIGGS,

Governor.

Mr. Skirm, Chairman of the Committee on Municipal Corporations, reported

Senate Bill No. 232, entitled "A further supplement to an act eatitled 'An act concerning the making and collecting of assessments for benefits conferred by the construction of sewers and drains,"" approved February nineteenth, one thousand eight hundred and ninetyfive,

And

Senate Bill No. 233, entitled "A supplement to the act entitled 'An act to provide for drainage and sewerage in cities of this state,'" approved April seventh, one thousand eight hundred and ninety,