The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-10-04
STHGHR COURTS A SMILE.
His Address to the Free
holders Ought to Win
1t for Him.
JUGGLING THE EBBlNG FUNDS.
The Board Holds a Meeting with
Lots of Funny Spots in 1t.

During the usual course of business, at
the meeting of the Board of Freeholders
yesterday Director Steger made his bid
for denomination. 1t was in the form
of a communication to the Board, and ex-
cited curiously conflicting sentiments in
the breasts of the members. Those who
have sought retrenchment in expenses
and their number can be counted on the
fingers of one hand, with the thumb, at
least, to spare-shook their heads solemn
ly with an I-told-you-so expression on
their faces; and the others, the reckless
and notoriously extravagant members.
laughed and joked about the communi-
cation, either wholly ignoring it's mean
ing or openly saying:-"Oh, Steger is try
ing to make boom for himself"
The first business disposed of was that
of the insurance on the county buildings.
amounting to s921.4S. Agent Thomas
Gopsil recently notified the Board that
unless this amount was ordered paid for
the premiums, the policies would be can
celled, and the Board held responsible for
them since they were issued Director
Steger informed the Board that he. County
Collector Dugan and Freeholder Kimmer-
ly, chairman of the Finance Committee
(after the Committee on County Insti-
tutions refused to attend to the insurance)
had obtained it at the old rates, and
asked the members to order the premiums
paid 1t was done without opposition
from any except Freeholder Bruning.
The claims of l.. d. Fowler for maps for
the Park Commission, of the Park Com
mission for expenses incurred for adver
tising, ETC., were also paid, Freeholder
Tierney casting the only negative vote.
A certificate from the American Steam
Boiler and Insurance Company showed
that a new boiler is needed at the
Aims House, but that those at the Court
House and Penitentiary are in good con-
dition. A claim for board for six children,
inmates of the Home for Feeble Minded
Children, was read and ordered paid,
though Freeholder Tierney, adhering to
his determination not to expend any
more money, voted no.
THEN AROSE QUINTUs CURTIUs.
1t was at this time that he,.Director got
in his diplomatic stroke and told the
clerk to read his communication, which
was as follows
Gentlemell--I deem it to be an obligation of
duty as the Director Of your Board, charged
with the responsibility ofssanctioning by my sig
ture the payment of the county's money, to di-
rect your attention to the stringency affecting
the County Treasury, as shown by the report of
the County Collector presented to this Board
These reports, with the detail and particularly
which characterize them, disclose a condition of
things in relation to obligations required to be
met by us which should at once engage our most
earnest and thoughtful consideration
How we are to properly provide within the lin
its which the law seeks to prescribe for the
wants of the county for the balance of the pres
ent fiscal year, which runs, as you are aware,
until the last day of next November. with the
very small balance or balances Of money availa-
BILE for the purpose Is q problem the solution of
which, to put it mildly, is well calculated to be of
the most puzzling character.
You must not forget nor lose sight Of the fact
that by far the largest share Of the balances of
money shown to be on hand is already pledged
to meet contracts and obligations, which the
county must meet without any intervention by
YOU of either choice or election.
QUINTUs WILL NOT SIGN.
lam SO fully impressed with the belief that
this balance will be inadequate to meet the de-
to give notice hereby that shall have to refrain
from affixing my signature to warrants for the
payment of money in all cases excepting those
of the most mandatory character, and in those
cases shall attach my name only when l am
reasonably assured that mouey is on hand avail
able to cover the same, and that the payment is
Indispensable and necessary.
In view of the condition of things as above
Indicated it lis inexplicable to me why the ap-
pointments made and the expenditure of money
involved in some of the recent actions of your
Board should have been effected by the aid and
influence of members who have been wont to
pride themselves on their claims TO be esteemed
as the champions of retreDchment and economy
Some Of the appointments referred to have no
hesitation in saying were wholly unnecessary.
The time at my command will not permit me
to enlarge upon this and kindred subjects as
would like to do. must content myself with
adrnonishing you to extend to me your aid in an
effort to shut down forthwith upon everything
calling for the expenditure of money except in
instances where the call shall appear to be SO in
dispensable as to be beyond all controversy on
pERcHAHcE WE HAVE sINYED
In serving upon you this notice, which necessity
prompts am neyertneess mindful OF the fact
errors and have done much that might better
have been left undone we cannot consistently,
with truth and regard for the fact, be justly held
chargeable with the accusation of extravaganza
in expenditures so frequently laid at our door.
A reference to the report OF the Committee on
Finance and Audit of this Board, presented at
the meeting on July 8, will tend to strengthen to
a great extent, think, the validity Of our claim
in this regard.
without revertng to the fact that it has been the
custom of the various Boards OF Freeholders
which this county has had for more than ten
years past to leave by way of legacy for their
successors to shoulder large volume of unpaid
claims, amounting in some instances to as much
as thirty or forty thousand dollars.
OH, YES; THEY WILL SMILE
While such policy as this may possibly have
been pardonable q speak qualifedly) under the
very peculiar system OF expenditure of public
moneys which seems to be permissible under the
laws relating to county affairs, am quite GER
tain that the policy Is one ct to be condemned
eSege' Eject to- to this sentiment'-a sentiment
SO sure TO bring the approving smile from the
taxpayng part of several constituencies. This
Is the kind of smile which some OF us, at least
ere long If rumors be true. are apt to be anxious
for Win calm and fair review of our action
decree that we deserve it?
However this may be, If we shall feel that
have honestly endeavored to do our duty as our
faculties enabled us to understand that duty, we
shall at least have the assurance of the approba-
ton of that truest yet least demonstrative of all
constituents, an approving conscience.
Respectfully submitted,
EMILE STEGER. Director
SUIT FOR A CLAIM.
The document was ordered spread in
full on the minutes and the regular or
der of business was continued.
Counsellor McGrath informed the
Board that Wood g. Menagh had begun
suit through Collins and Corbin against
the county to collect their claim for sup
plies furnished, and that the summons
would be returnable October 49, He
asked for instructions and said he
Thought he would have to bring suit
against the municipalities in arrears with
their taxes II was decided to refer the
matter to the Finance Committee and
counsel and at the next meeting the
members will probably pay Wood &
Freeholder Boyle asked for some feed
for Snake Hill, and said that the reason
that there was none was because when
proposals were advertised no bids to fur
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