The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-06-24

Mr.. EDITOR I'm the official state.
ment of the finances of Hunterdon coun.
ty for the year ending May 14th, 1885,
as published in the county papers, 1t is
found in the expenditure columns, that
the total amount charged to Lambert
vile for expenditures, is SO, 249.21. In
addition to this amount, the bills for
services of the Freeholders in this city,
are as follows: First Ward, John Foran,
$300.19; Second Ward. s. B. Bray.
$3.50. 23; Third Ward, E. B. Arnett,
1886 &c.
In these large amounts consumed by
the Freeholders, the tax payers of this
city will naturally ask what have they
done, or who has received these large
amounts of taxpayers money q
1t is found that Freebooter For an. of
the First Ward is charged with receiving
for sundry wages due employees, 80, 49,
81. Also one John Flynn, for six bills,
received 81, 107. The question is asked,
who is this John Flynn, that he should
receive such large sums. and what were
these bills for? 1t is rumored that he
is distant relative by marriage, to the
First Ward Freebooter, and his late resi-
dence was at Greensburgh, N. J.
Whether he represented figure head
for bills, and the amounts went directly
into the pockets of the First Ward Free.
holder, the taxpayers of this city can
investigate at their leisure. Also whether
the laboring men and mechanics drew
the large amounts charged to their ac-
counts. But take these amounts, to-
gether with bills for services, aggregat7
ing $3,522.40, which may be presumed
by the taxpayer to be handled directly
or indirectly by the First Ward Free
holder. Even these large amounts do
not include all bills for material furn-
ished to the First Ward Freebooter; but
it does represent considerably over half
the county funds charged to this city.
The Second Ward Freebooter, s. b.
Bray, is charged and received for bills
due employees, 1905. 80; for four bills of
Ensign Decator, $29s. 81, including his
bills for services, aggregates 81, 1913 .96.
This amount does not include all bills
for material furnished.
The Third Ward Freebooter, E. B.
Arnett, is charged and received for bills
due employees, $716.36. together with
personal expenses, aggregating $1,000. 90;
also Geo. w. Arnett, three bills, 1918.
and G. Arnett. seven bills. $512 80. Nor
do these amounts include all bills fur
nished for materials.
Perhaps it may be question of a
short time only, when taxpayers will
ask themselves whether these large
amounts of funds may not be used to a
better advantage. If our city is entitled
yearly to these amounts, why not have
proper legislation made, and this fund
be used directly by our city authorities
for bridge and other improvements ? 1t
will surely prevent that conflict of au-
thority which seems to present itself,
that is, the Freeholders of our city, re.
CARELESS Of the authority OF our city
council, regardless of the grades of our
city, or our City Surveyors details, re-
CARELESS of the interruption of public
travel, and regardless of iniuring per-
sonal property by carting and piling
earth upon our streets far beyond city
grades, thereby overlooking sidewalks,
aud endangering cellars and yards by
being overfowed with water regardless
of all this, it seems to be their right to
dig up sewer perhaps but two or three
years lad, employ men, buy materials,
entirely stop public travel in that local.
ity, and relay the work in about the same
condition as when first laid aud the pub
lie at large not particle benefited.
To stop these further nuisances for
the time being, let the City Council pass
an ordinance forbidding any party from
disturbing or digging up streets without
first getting permission of Council. and
if it is still persisted in, serve the usual
injunction and let the courts settle the
rights and authority of our City Council.
A similar ordinance has recently been
passed by the Commissioners Of Elem.
ipgton, who, in behalf of the citizens
there, who seem to have been Disguised
by the continual tearing and digging up
of their macadamized streets by parties
who are believed to have no such rights,
without permission Of the Town Commits
sioners. CITIZEN.