The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1878-08-17
Morris County Board of Freeholders,
and the Speedwell Avenue Bridge.

/ DOstt0 NV dc ~ y C1OCtA, Ou W0tlH6S-
day morning last, Director Howell in the
chair. Roll called members all present
except two.
Clerk Pierson read the minutes of last
meeting. Mr.. Hull suggested correcting
the same regarding bank discounts. Mr..
Skellinger explained, and minutes were
approved rs read.
Mr.. Hui, of the Poor House Commit
tee, asked to be instructed as to the APP
preparation for Improvements. Said
Improvements were necessary and wanted
| to know if Committee were authorized
to proceed Mr.. Gilland thought they
were. Director Howell thought the
Committee could not proceed without
authority directly from the Board.
Mr.. Hull reported the furnaces out Of
order, and much in need of repair.
| Mr.. Skellinger said it had been Gus
tomary to pay for such items out of the
contingent fund if such was not what
the $4,000 contingent fund was for, what
was it for Mr. Hull said that hereto
| fore there had been no limit to constrain
the Committee. Mr.. Van Duyne felt
opposed to making further improvement
at Poor House, unless some arrangement
were effected for the separation OF the
sexes, as past results, in this respect,
were unsatisfactory
Mr.. Hull agreed with the gentleman
! from Boonton but thought that if the
| $4,000, were expended for that purpose,
there should be building erected in
another part of the County for females,
i l,of
tanning the poor would be much reduced
thereby. Director Howell thought the
matter Of expanding the $4,000 should
| be left to the Committee. The latter
again asked for instructions.
| Mr.. Van Duyne moved that the Com
mittee have power to expend the $4,000,
with view to the separation of the sexes
said the Poor House physician had in
formed him that it cost more to keep
those born at the Poor House than those
who were sent there.
Mr.. Rowland thought it would be con-
trary to Bible instructions to separate the
sexes.
Director Howell said he was not. cog
infant of such state of affairs, but if
such were the case, he thought the Com
mittee were responsible. Mr.. Hull said
that notwithstanding all precaution, the
Steward could not under present cir
cunlstances preventit. Mr.. Van Duyne's
motion did not prevail.
Mr. Hull, of Special Committee on
Speedwell Avenue bridge, reported:
The Committee met on June 9th, and
after thorough examination, decided to
advertise for plans for new bridge, and
also forgimproving the old one. Met
again July 18th, and accepted plans and
specifications made by r. M. Sites, es-
timating cost of new bridge at $1,000.
and improvements on the old one at 81,
900.
The Committee thought it would be
throwing away money to patch up the
old one, and recommended building
new one but felt that they had no right
to 60 on and build without instructions
from the Board, which they now asked.
Mr.. Rowland here treated the Board
to learned dissertation upon what he
knew about bridge building in general,
and what he thought about bridge build
ing in Morristown.
Clerk Pierson here read the County
Collectors report (Which we have not
room to publish), and the same was
adopted.
On the suggestion of Mr.. Skellinger
the townships were called, to ascertain
the amount of Indebtedness and out
standing contracts. as follows :--Boonton,
$500; Chatham, $3.50; Chester, $3.50 ;
Hanover, $25 Jefferson, Sl28.25 Mend
ham, SIS; Montville, sl4 Morris, Sll9.Sl;
Mt Olive, s28.94 Passaic, $5l5; Pequan-
noe, $l20.44; Randolph, Sl50.25; Rock
away, 500; Roxbury, Sl66.63; Washing
ton, 5000.
George W. Forsyth, Esq, was here in
troduced, and addressed the Board con-
corning sale of some property belonging
| to an inmate of the Poor House. He
referred to resolution adopted last
February, and asked that the same be
re-adopted. Mr.. Skellinger thought if
| the game would not be worth the amuni-
ton, it would not be profitable for the
County to pursue the matter any further.
| Mr.. Forsyth said it was true that the
house had been burned, but that it did
not stand on the land which was sought
| to be sold said the lowest estimate
which he had heard was double what the
probable expense would be.
Mr.. Brittin thought it was worth $3.50,
and should be looked after. MIR. John
son moved that the preamble and reso-
luton be re adopted. Carried
Mr.. Hull here brought forth the Speed
well bridge ghost again, by stating that
che late heavy rains had washed away
more of the earth from the foundation,
and that residents of the neighborhood
had been complaining and thought some
thing should be done in the matter. Mr..
Hull wanted to leave the matter with the
Board,as the cost of a new bridge would be
81 900, and four-ffths vote would be
required to make the additional appro-
priation.
| Jefferson's astute representative asked
What has that bridge cost, already ~
/ Mr.. Hull replied, 1t was one of those
things which no fellar could find out. !"
Mr.. Skellinger thought that before any
thing was done, the Board ought to find
out what was it's duty in the matter; he
| himself did not wish to be parsimonious,
but thought it was right to know, and he
referred to the representatives OF Morris
for information.
Mr.. Hull explained part of the an
Gent history of the big bonanza, after
which Mr.. Rowland asked some conun~
drums concerning it, and expressed his
scientific opinion generally, reminding
the Board that the Legislature tried last
Winter to pass bill requiring each
township to build its own bridges he
thought if the bill had passed, it would
have been money in the pocket of JET
ferson
1 Mr.. Hayden said he had been through
the culvert and found it was just as
good as new, only that it was filed up,
too small, and insufficient generally. Mr..
4 Collins, who owns and lives in the house
close to the bridge, here stated that his
j property had been much damaged by the
foundation being washed, and when
freezing weather comes, he would not be
able to live there unless something was
done. Mr.. Rowland got in his oar to the
effect that this man had built his house
upon a bridge instead of rock, and had
suffered thereby ~
Mr. HILL oo:J H. ooIx, i