Early Sunday morning, after an illness of but few hours, our baby boy, a little sojourner with us since September last, was taken away, and his going has broken a wonderfully happy home circle, and left our hearts desolate. Under the circumstances I know you will pardon my absence.

In order that the business of the State may proceed without interruption, I am sending to Mr. Albright the necessary designation of Senators to perform the duties of the Chair, both for to-night's session, and for the session which will probably be held to-morrow, and also the committee appointments.

That these appointments have been the subject of criticism in certain respects, I am fully aware. In reply thereto may I say

this:

In compiling the list of appointments my first concern has been for the interests of the State, and in comparison with these interests, other features sink into insignificance. While it is very probable that I have erred in some respects, I pledge you that in performing this duty allotted to me, I have not been swayed by any thought of discourtesy or unfriendliness. Indeed, I should be most unhappy if I could charge myself with any conscious act of unfairness.

To my mind every committee offers to its members the opportunity for honorable public service, and I am sure that in the last analysis no one will deny it, nor claim that personal likes or dislikes, individual seniority or service, are worthy to be reckoned as important when compared with the higher and bigger things to be expected of us as partners and servants of the public.

If, on certain committees, the members look at their problems from different angle points, and through different eyes, and are yet guided throughout by a proper sense of their obligations to the State, I believe that in that very difference the public interests will be enhanced, and each problem will receive broader and more comprehensive treatment than could otherwise be the

case.

In order to attain all the harmony possible, and at the same time to further, rather than to lessen the Senate's efficiency, I am making a few changes in the committees as compared with the list originally published, all of which you will see.

And now, in conclusion, may I ask each Senator to accept his appointed tasks in the cheerful spirit of service, and give to the State the very best that is in him. Anything less is neither justice to him who gives nor to those who receive.

You will know, I am sure, that, by reason of the conditions under which I am laboring, my greatest desire is to leave far

behind anything which smacks of smallness of soul, or has in anywise to do with that which is sordid or mean.

In the discharge of my duties I need the support and the friendship of you all, and simply, whole-heartedly and unaffectedly I ask you for it. In return, let me assure you, without reserve, that from my own being a spirit of warm and cordial friendship goes out to every one of you.

And for the future I ask for nothing better than the opportunity to serve shoulder to shoulder with you, and be spent in the service of the State we love.

Yours with sincere and affectionate regard,

(Signed) WILLIAM N. RUNYON.

The following list of Committee appointments was read and copies ordered to be distributed:

SENATE STANDING COMMITTEES, 1919.

Agriculture.

Allen, Haines, Martens.

Appropriations:

Whitney, Allen, Conrad, Barber.

Banks and Insurance.

Pilgrim, Sturgess, Edwards.

Boroughs and Townships.

Mackay, Allen, Martens.

Clergy.

Whitney, Haines, Barber.

Commerce and Navigation.

Conrad, Case, Ackerson.

Corporations.

Sturgess, Smith, Kays.

Education.

Mackay, Case, Kays.

Elections.

Conrad, Pilgrim, Edwards.

Federal Relations.

Smith, Sturgess, Barber.

Finance.

Case, Mackay, Edwards.

Game and Fisheries.
Allen, Bright, Martens.

Highways.

Bright, Whitney, Brown.

Judiciary.

Case, Hammond, Ackerson.

Labor, Industries, and Social Welfare. Hammond, Bright, Kays.

Militia.

Wells, Smith, Edwards.

Miscellaneous Business.

Wells, Hammond, Kays.

Municipal Corporations.

Pilgrim, Wells, Brown.

Printed Bills.
Smith, Fithian, Brown.

Public Health.

Haines, Pilgrim, Barber.

Railroads and Canals.

Fithian, Whitney, Ackerson.

Revision and Amendment of the Laws. Fithian, Wells, Ackerson.

Riparian Rights.

Bright, Smith, Brown.

Stationery and Incidental Expenses.

Hammond, Conrad, Martens.

Unfinished Business.

Sturgess, Fithian, Martens.

Taxation.

Haines, Mackay, Brown.

SENATE JOINT COMMITTEES, 1919.

Home for Feeble-Minded Women.
Fithian, Case, Ackerson.

Industrial School for Girls.
Hammond, Sturgess, Edwards.

New Jersey State Reformatory.
Wells, Haines, Brown.

Passed Bills.

Hammond, Whitney, Kays.

Public Printing.

Sturgess, Conrad, Edwards.

Reform School for Boys.
Mackay, Sturgess, Martens.

Sanatorium for Tuberculous Diseases. Case, Wells, Barber.

School for Feeble-Minded Children.

Pilgrim, Smith, Martens.

School for Deaf Mutes.
Sturgess, Fithian, Ackerson.

Sinking Fund.

Smith, Whitney, Edwards.

Soldiers' Home.
Bright, Fithian, Brown.

State Hospitals.
Whitney, Conrad, Barber.

State Library.
Bright, Smith, Kays.

State Prison.

Allen, Hammond, Ackerson.

State Village for Epileptics.
Haines, Mackay, Brown.

Treasurer's Accounts.

Conrad, Pilgrim, Martens.

State Reformatory for Women.

Sturgess, Smith, Kays.

Industrial School for Colored Youth. Hammond, Allen, Brown.