The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1877-02-14

Tho Governors salary used to be 81, GOO 90 or
/ 10000. The office cost the state last year
$9,G66.00. The State Superintendent of Pub
lie Schools started with salary of $500 90.
Il was afterward raised to 81 100000, and last
year it cost IS, 10000.
The speaker supposed every one was will
ing to support public schools, and what they
wanted to get rid of was only that portion Of
IL which was unjust. He had few days be-
fore said to the Superintendent that he found
there was a difference between the amount
paid to teachers and the amount of taxes rails
cd. of $S47, 39l 81, and wanted to know how
1t was accounted for. The Superintendent
said may be part Of it was carried over to the
next year. The speaker had since discovered
where part of it went. He found among the
items OF expenditure &8SS. 25 for articles fur.
nished the State Board by Peter Katzenbauqh.
Peter had furnished the Board dinner, and
the S3S8.25 meant little turkey and a good
deal OF champagne and cigars. Then there
was 500. 90 for each county institute. He had
no objection to the teachers meeting and hav-
ing good time, but they should foot the bills.
The amount paid the Comfy Superintendent
was $40, 1850 and about ~ ,00l o0s a6fo for
incidentals. In his opinion the oflice Of Coun-
~ Superintendent was unnecessary. The
trustees weft better Qualified to Judge of the
necessities OF their district, and should have
charge over its affairs.
In 1854 the militia expenses Of the State
were 100000. Last year the cost was SIT, 600.
The Adjutant Generals office used to cost 4 =
600. Last year it was about $12, 900, and that
of the Quaitermaster General about S11. 0OO
He did not know what had been done by the
militia except that there was an encampment
near Trenton which was disgrace to the
State. He knew'a few years ago militia Of
ficers who, when attending an eiicampment
nj Nav fSro tIA,. IL hi.
boarded at the best hotel at the expense of the
State. III his opinion, instead of the many
companies now organized, there should be but
ten, and the expenses of the department cor
respondingly reduced. Public business should
be conducted in the same manner as private
and two meh should not be employed where
one can do the work.
What was the remedy. He would suggest that
the first thing was to organize. Every Board
of Trade and a hundred Oranges were consid-
ering these questions, but in addition to this
there should be D tax-payefs ASSOCIATIONS in
which persons Of every business and calling
could become members. Then the members
of the legislature must be looked after and
given to Understand that unless they work to
the interest of Taxpayers, off goes theft po4
litical heads. There must be perseverahce.
All great reforms had been accomplished by
perseverance in well doing. The cause was
just and must prevail.
Hon. John T. Bird was the next speaker
lie SAID that two years ago, he, together with
a few other residents Of tho County, en1eav.
orcd to strike a blow in the direction of tax
reform, by abolishing the Board of Freehold
ers. He prepared bill and assisted in press
ing its Importance upon the legislature but
it was not passed, and that effort was not a
success. He thought then, and remsined of
the opinion, that unless the people aroused
from their lethargy and made up their minds
to reform at once, the time wold soon come
when they would have to move in the matter,
when the abuses would be more deeply in
trenched. and success would require greater
effort. In 1850, in Raritan township the tax
was 90 cents upon 800 in 1860, 40 cents,
and in 1876 9S cents, not including the school
tax. 1t has been said our wealth was increas-
ing, and we were Having more conveniences,
but unless the conveniences have increased in
q greater proportion than wealth, the tax
should not be heavier. The question was.
what are the people willing to do ? 1t would
be in vain to talk reform and not act. If the
officers elected at the town meetings were in
structed to do their utmost in the direction Of
reform, the win of the people would be obey.
ed, The speaker said 1t cost SIS, 900 to work
the roads,, and inquired whether they were
any better than formerly. He also advocated
the purchasing Of county farm for, the poor,
saying they could be better provided for, and
at less expense. 4sf
At the conclusion Of MI: Birds speecl, it
was resolved that taxpayers association be
formed, and the following named gentlemen
were appointed a committee to adopt u consti-
tuition and nominate officers, and report at u
future meeting Charles Watson, Johh T.
Bird, Jacob Newell, Geo. B. Stotiioff, David
Van Fleet, Mahlon Hulsizef Andrew Van
Syckel, Jacob G. Schomp Caleb F. Fisher
and Robert Thatcher.
On motion, it was resolved that the Vice.
Presidents be instructed to organize in their
respective townships, associations auxiliary to
meeting, The meeting then adjourffed ~