Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-02-18

ness transacted.
| A bill was read asking permission of
the Legislature to Issue city bonds to
the amount of 1876, 1000, to enable the
city TO purchase two steam engines, to
erect a fire bell tower, build q new en-.
CINE house, &c.
Mr.. Woodward said the city could
only spend 300, 000-one per centum
of the tax collected from the people,
and yetif the bill was passed we should
be compelled to raise $4,000 or $75,-
600 additional He favored making the
issue $780, 900. If it was intended that
the $25, 900 was for the uses of the fire
department, he would oppose the mea-
snre He would rather cut down the
appropriations of the fire department,
than increase them.
Mr. Gray thought it wonld require at
least S25 600 to purchase the engine,
honse, tower, &c.
Mr. Lyon wanted to know what the
bell tower was to cost-the committee
had never reported, and he could not
act until he heard the report. He
thought it would cost $4,000.
Mr. Cowell said it was necessary that
action should be taken now. The Leg
islature would soon adjourn, and it
would be too late to ask the desired au
thority. Our city is growing rapidly,
and nothing is more needed than fire
tower. If we are to keep pace with our
views, with the age and with our sister
cities, we must expect to spend money
The people are ready and willing to do
this-in fact, they demand protection,
and it is our duty to give it to them
He didn't favor spending money when
there was no money to spend, but he
favored this plan of raising money
whereby the wheels of government
could be kept running, and our proper
ty kept from jeopardy. --
Mr.. Tenney wanted enough money
raised, but did not wish to be extrava-
giant. He, however, favored the cree
ton of bell tower, which would be
useful, and also credit to our city.
Councilman Gray offered a bill Ito be
presented to the Legislature changing
the boundaries of the wards, and also
the time for holding the municipal
election, from November, as at present,
to the second Monday in April.
Judge Tenney moved to amend by
making it second Monday in December.
1t would be more favorable time.
1t would give new members taking
their seats at the commencement of the
new year, opportunities for preparing
the work for the ensuing year. At
present we are unable to do anything
before the first of August, and the best
portion of the year is thus lost. There
is now too much delay. Contracts
should be awarded by the first of May,
thus saving a great deal of valuable
time.
Mr.. Gray acknowledged the force of
the gentleman argument but he hoped
it would be remembered that number
of the old members would remain.
Besides, December was bad month
for travelling generally stormy, and
half the vote could not be polled. BY
holding the municipal election in the
spring, party strife could be avoided,
and the people would be able to get rid
of politicians.
Mr.. Cowell favored changing the
time. He did not know but what he
ought to favor December, if it brought
stormy weather, as he believed it was
generally considered by his political
lopponents that the Democracy polled a
larger vote on stormy days, still he
thought it preferable to hold the cleo
ton in the spring. He scorned to take
any advantage OF the other side of the
house, by holding the election on a
stormy day. Laughter.
The amendment was lost.
Mr.. Ropes made an earnest speech in
favor of the purchase of steam engine
for Red jacket Engine Company, No.
4. The people of the First ward-to a
man-demanded the purchase of the
engine, at the earliest possible moment