The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-07-17
THE CLAIMS DELAYED.
Freeho1ders Couldn't Agree
to Pass Them in a Lump.
THEY TAKE A LONG VACATION.
No More Meetings of the Board
Until September 5.

1t was not expected that the FreehOlders
would have quorum yesterday, but
when Clerk Boyd called the roll fifteen
members responded and the pie was cut.
Owing to jealousy, however, because
some of the pieces looked thicker than
the others, it happened that neither the
Freeholders in the foreground nor the
contractors in the background got very
much of the pie, so it was put back on
the shelf to wait until September 5, to
which date the Freeholders stand now
adjourned.
Without any loss of time and under
tremendous pressure of steam the follow
ing reappointments were made Michael
Dwyer, attendant at the Asylum; James
keenan,, blacksmith at Snake Hill; Lizzie
Cosgroye, attendant at the Aims House;
Margaret McGinnis, attendant at the
Asylum; Francis Dougherty, attendant at
the Asylum; John Kelly, underkeeper at
Penitentiary, and John Darcy, plumber.
The Board ordered q ten days leave OF
absence for all employees. FreeholdeT
kimmerly was authorized to borrow
$4, 800 on four per cent. bonds to pay back
loans.
COUNSELLOR M'GRATH OFFENDED.
Counsellor McGrath was affronted yes
terday by the Board and he took no pains
to conceal his displeasure. The amount
of his stipend for compiling all laws
affecting the county was not paid. The
Counsel has labored for about eighteen
months to prepare these laws and justly
concluded that if he was to work for the
Board he ought to be paid. The threat
that he made to decline to continue the
work and to retain ali that he has accom-
plished thus far did not seem to worry
the Freeholders very much, for they voted
against the resolution. Then Mr.. Nc
Grath declared that his services in the
compilation of the laws had ceased.
Some of the committees being in their
chronic condition of mo funds,n several
transfers from other committees were
made, among them being $500 for
stationery. The Board appropriated for
the use of the Bridge Committee, during
expended-so it is claimed-on the new
Paterson plank road bridge.
Freeholder KimmerlY during the entire
meeting looked displeased, and when
business reached this point he nearly
stunned the others present by Offering his
resignation as member of all commit
tees. Freeholder McDonough was as
founded, and Freeholder Nelson audibly
averred that he wished he had a few more
committees, and intimated that he would
assume Kimmerly's burden. When the
members had wondered long
enough they promptly tabled the mat
ter and Director Steger eulogized Free
holder Kimmmerly in q manner that
made him blush and his colaborers envi-
Gus.
John A. Brown and his contract to
build the Hall of Records is thorn in
the side of the Board and the members
concluded to pluck it out yesterday. A
resolution was adopted directing the
Committee on County Buildings to pro-
ceed with the work and charge the same
against Brown and his bondsmen. This
building should have been completed
June l.
CLAIMS CONSIDERED.
Claims were finally reached by the
Board, and enough of them were found.
A wrangle followed Each member
wanted the bills of his friends paid in
preference to all others. Finally, after
dozen motions and amendments, Director
Steger put the question of paying to a
vote. 1t was lost by one vote.
Freeholder Boyle asked that this action
be reconsidered to give Freeholder Pair
son an opportunity to explain why he
voted against it. It was done, and the
eX-Director explained.
IT was given the bills and claims
against the Committee on County Insti-
tutions to examine some time ago." said
L
carefully examined them and found a
number that were not vouched for by any
one, and | cannot vote to pay them as
| they now stand. There is another reason
why these claims should not be paid, and
that is, because of the low condition of
| our finances; we cannot pay them and live
within the appropriation. There will be
some claims that we cannot meet.
"Shall they be contract claims or requt-
sitions; for they can not be both? for
one do not propose TO jeopardize my
bondsman by voting for the acquisitions,
although l know some Of them are good.
| These are my objections"
| A strong effort was made by Freehold
ers Boyle, McDonough and Hennessey to
pass the requisition claims, but Mr..
| Parsons vote each time defeated it:
These claims amount to about Sl2, 900, and
now the owners of them can do nothing to
| obtain the money until September. A
| number of contract and statutory
| claims were ordered paid and
another effort was made to pay the requi-
sition claims, when Freeholder Nelson
exclaimed director, | want to- know
how long this farce will last"
81 don't know" replied the Director,
''but hope indefinitely or long enough
| for all to reach an asylum"
After another wrangle about the ad-
| iournment the Board finally ended its
work until September.