The New York herald., 1876-11-27
HOW TAXPAYERS ARE swINDLED.
A NEW CHAPTER OF FRAUDS BY THE HUDSON
COUNTY IN. J.) FRERHoLDRRs.

A NEW CHAPTER OF FRAUDS BY THE HUDSON
COUNTY IN. ~ FRERHoLDRRs.
That tho pretended economy in the Board Of Chosen
Frceholdcrs in Jersey City IL only sham tho follow
ing facts addition to those already published tho
herald, will show Public attention ~xs called At tho
last meeting OF tho Board TO the fact that the Of
s76 % was ovcrpad TO County Clerk Brann. But tor
tho honesty vi that official returning the amount and
rebukc 10 the Drectorat-arge such
reckless msmanaeement OF tho financial affairs OF the
county tho mistake would not be discovered II has
since leaked out that bridge builder named Post
ovcrpaid the sum OF $3.50 How many other cases o.
the kind have occurred will probably mover be known.
Some OF tho Frceholdcrs either have very loose
ideas OF their obligations they very gener-
Gus with the money Of other people. A
HERALD reporter ascortaned one day last week
that TWO cuvcrts are bong constructed IN Bergen
county at the expense of the taxpayers OF Hudson
county. The work ordered by the Chairman of
the bridge Committee without any consultation with
tho committee rho sum OF $22s was expended In the
construction OF culvvrt IN New Durham, uud II
ns o. ho Sonsr PS U the
OF tho builder, u not to somebody else. Bills
have been presented to the Board Tor the construction
OF culyerts on the hackensack plank road, which,
being toll road, virtuay private properly and tho
work should be done by the Plank Road Company. The
probability that the whole Bridge Committee will DO
indicted by trc Grand Jury, though somc members OF
tho committee state that they authorized such
Jobs. Ono oil the membcfS, MT COOKE, rcpcatouly
protested against the acton of the Chairman OF the
Bridge Committee, whcreupon the Drcctor- Large,
Mr. Iiastcd removed this stumbling block Jobs.
Mr. Cooke was removed and Two plant members ap
pointed IN his place Mr.. farrer then asked TO be-
moved from committee. but the Director refused
to comply with hrs request Mr. Farrier gays he Is
powercss TO prevent frauds IN the committee and Le
rarely receives any nocc OF tho meetings OF that
mittee. The Chairman OF the heconm:ttcc asloundod the
Board and pubic by asking for an appropriation OF
$50,00o, an amount beyond all precedent, but the
Board promptly rejected tho demand
A resolution oncrod by Mr.. Stnrtup for an in
vcssigation tho extravaganza at snake Hill,
pccaily in the employment OF horses and carts not
needed but tho Dircctor-atIarge refused TO approve
the resolution, and the job has thus covered up
for tho present II was stated by member OF she
Board that bills actually signed before they
ordered paid by tho Board. Mr. John H. Morrison
had bring suit for tho payment of his claim against
the county because OF the refusal OF the Director
Large sign the warrant which was ordered paid.
He oblained verdict for the iu amount,
less <l7 and the legal proceedings the county 5000
stu Director refuses 10 sign thc clam but called
on the Board appeal the The Board positively
refused ~ involved tho county needless expense
where IL 20 be doiea,ed, but the Director
replied that would have the appeslcd whatever
IL might cost Since the creation OF the office drcc-
.at-urgc the affairs OF the county have been In
sad mudrc Tho experiment will cost the taxpayers
many thousands Of doilars II Is hoped that the
Legislature will afurd some relief.