Suppression of Anarchy

     The Hudson County Bar Association met at the court house, Jersey City, to consider anarchy, its suppression, and the adequate suppression of crimes resulting from the propagation of anarchistic doctrines. Colonel Charles W. Fuller presided.
     Two bills, prepared with a view to giving effect to this object, were read by ex-Judge William T. Hoffman. The first, drawn by ex-Assistant Prosecutor Joseph M. Noonan, makes anarchy a capital felony both as to principals and accessories, as well before as after the fact. It continues: The term anarchy shall, for the purposes of this act, be taken to include every act done or word uttered with intent to cause, or to incite others to cause, the assassination of a president of the United States, or any person in the line of the presidential succession as fixed by the Constitution or laws of the United States, the governor of this state or any person in the line of the gubernatorial succession as fixed by the constitution or laws of this state; or the chief executive of any foreign state.
     The second bill, presented by Prosecutor James S. Erwin, provides that any persons who enter into a conspiracy to subvert the national or state government or engage in teaching anarchy or nihilism, and shall suggest that violence be inflicted upon any officials of the Federal government, shall be considered guilty of a high misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be liable to imprisonment, with hard labor, for thirty years, and shall be disfranchised. Should any such person make an assault, with intent to kill, upon any such official, he shall be punished by life imprisonment at hard labor. In the event of the assault terminating fatally, the death penalty shall be inflicted. Under neither bill is there any commutation for good behavior.
     The bills were referred to the legislative committee and will be presented to the legislature at its next session.