The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-18
CORRUPT LEGISLATION " JERSEY.

A Relic of the Lafe Democratic Le9tsla1nre->
How the People of Jersey City Were Cou,-
PEELED to submit to the Nicolsou Pavement
Ring-Apoiher Big job.
AT the late meeting OF the Board of Aldermen Of
Jersey City, simple and short resolution
was "put through without attracting any
notice Yet this very resolution embodied
one Of the heaviest burdens ever imposed
on the taxpayers. The resolution was to this eff
fect:-" Resolved, That the Committee on Streets be
authorized to advertise for proposals for the i'm
proyement OF Grand street. from Mil creek to Wash
ington street." One Of the Aldermen sge) at length
walked up and called for the reading of the resolu-
ton again, but before he could succeed motion to
adjourn was carried. TO give the status OF this ques-
ton In as few words possible IL Is only necessary
to refer TO the charter OF The consolidated city,
passed by the last Legislature.
Prior TO the passage OF that charter a body Of
politicians in Bergen, aud known as .'rhe Bergen
Ringu had drawn up grand scheme by which the
individuals composing 1t could be enriched at the
expense OF the taxpayers These men went to
Trenton and lobpied every measure through
both houses that could promote their de-
signs one section OF the charter OF the
consolidated city - provides that Grand street,
IN the same manner thai part OF the street west
OF Mil creek Then follows the mischievcus part OF
the secion-namely, that the power OF remoDstrance
case or other streets snail not apply To
this section. In other words, the job should
be carried on whether the owners OF property
along the roure liked 1t or not The Bergen 'rng''
then adopted the Nicolson pavement for their
portion OF the thorougnfare, which Is now nearly
finished at heavy cost and thus 10y the ingenious
provision referred To the people ON the secJion OF
the street from Mill creek to Washington street
were compelled to submit to tine adoption OF the
same pavement, chlehy in the interest or the
| ..ring,c when was thenceiorward termed sTho
| Nicoson Pavement Rng.p This very business was
| one OF the main issues on which the democracy was
defeated at the late election.
while Alderman Eyes motion was pending in the
nothing could be more unfair 10 those who had to
/ bear the expense than TINS system OF legislation
aad view OF the late verdict or the people this
! Improvement ought to be delayed until the
| assembling OF the next Legislature, wheI
| II can be repealed. Aldermen SheeraI
| and Bumsted defended the project, however the
former being chairman OF the Committee on Streets
! and the tier member OF the same committee
| Should the Improvement be commenced before thu
assembling OF the Legislature the property owner
the line referred 10 intend to apply for an njunc
ton, that the work may he arrested TILL the repre-
sentatves OF the people CAN nave an opportunity u
deal with the question.
In this connection II may be remarked that peti
lions are being prepared for pres ntatlon to IN
Legislature. asking that the charter of Jersey CHG
be rcmodelled Ia toto that some oil The rat Office
created by it may be aDo isbed, and that The priv
leges aud powers OF the Aldermen. especially IN th
| matter Of awarding contracts, be ctrcumscrioed.
board OF public works. composed OF old and respect
able cIzens, would supply the place Wlib SreaL ~
vantage t. the taIpayeggs