The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-07-16
MIR. SfEGER'S DILEMMA.
Shall the Director of the
Freeho1ders Depart
in Peace.
BILLY COOK OUGHT TO WAIT.
SO Says Mr.. Steger---The Law
About a "Ne Exeat."

peculiar workings of the Board of Free
holders. that body, it seems, would be
like fish out of water. The story in
yesterdays JERSEY CITY NEWS in rela-
tion to the prevention of Director Steger
from going abroad is the latesV
contribution to the history of these
Interesting county rulers. 1t was Director
Steger's intention to be gone for nearly
three months, thus causing the county to
absolutely suspend payment until his re-
turn. In other words, keep the $50 en-
ployees and the Board of Health out of
the money due them at the expiration of
each month
And the poor unsophisticated contract
'ors and the innocent gentlemen who fur
nish goods on acquisitions would likewise
be kept from their hard earned profits un-
til the Director returned.
When / called on Director Steger last
night and informed him that the law
might possibly be invoked to prevent him
from going to Europe, he replied:-"Yes;
i saw that in THE JERSEY CITY NEWS, but
it can't be true; they wouldn't do such a
thing"
He was assured that the story was au-
thentic. told the Director that it was
rumOred that Contractor William r.
Cook, to whom the county owes large
amount, had declared his intention to
cause writ of nc e.reGt to be issued from
the Court of Chancery to enjoin him from
leaving the county. He appeared dunn
founded.
HE WANTS AN INDEMNITY BOND.
Yes. / know if l go away it stops all
payments" said he, "but this could be
overcome if l could have an indemnity
/ could sign the warrants in blank, to be
filled in with the amounts as they fall
due"
"But who would indemnify you against
any wrong doing during your absence?"
/ enquired.
81 don't care who gives the bond if it is
a good one," he replied, and after a
moments thought he impulsively
exclaimed, Cant these fellows County
employees and Board of Health
wait for their salaries? Billy Cook is the
principal creditor of the county and
think ne would wait until l get back,
which will be only eleven weeks"
''If an indemnity bond should be given
yOn, would you have right, Director, to
sign warrants in blank?"
81 don't know; have not consulted
lawyer"
Has not the Counsel to the Board
:given you an opinion about thequestion?"
"No He has heard me talk of my pro-
p1Eed trip frequently, but he has never
said anything to try to prevent it,"
accept bond to indemnify you against
trouble if you sign warrants in blank for
three months or less, and that your only
course is to resign as Director if you go
abroad"
q "That will never do; no, not now. I
70 LOFT
while things are as they are"
"Do you think some one wants to be
Director in your place, and that this
trouble is caused to force you to make
room?"
II don't know; but will never resign"
he replied. II don't see why Billy
Cook can't wait eleven weeks more for
his money after waiting so long As for
the county employees, could fix them SO
that there would be no trouble from
them. It is not fair, of course, to keep
them out of their money, but "Billy''
Cook can wait without embal rassment.
You may say that | will not resign as
Director to go abroad, although I need
1the voyage because of my health. / was
.only going for my health and for
pleasure"
MR. COOKS EXPLANATION.
Soon after leaving Mr.. Steger saw
William r. Cook and asked him if it were
Jrtkc blaU ue lub6uu0tl 10 GuJOlu Ju6 ulreC-
tor from going abroad He replied with
u laugh:--"No; never thought of such
thing I'll tell you the secret of this
Some one wants his bills signed and to
force the Director to have them prepared
this rumor has been started, making me
sear all the brunt of it. 1t is either that
On .else some one wants to be made direc-
tors and is taking this method to force
ste, YER to resign. /, think either or
both of these reasons to be true. / GER
tainhr will not attempt to stop him."
7. yE COUNTY COLLECTORS VIEWS.
Coun ty Collector Dugan was talking
with Mayor Cleveland and Finance Com
Office to exp ain the subject.
at was all ~ bluff got up by Cook and
nv son Eddie to enable them to get their
money" said he. "but there is much
truth in the bluff, ,Salthough theyIwould do
nothing. 1t is an undeniable fact that
wants to go 70 Europe, is to resign as
director, for there is a law in existence
that can prevent him from going"
''Can he, if he is given an indemnity
bond, sign warrants in blank?"
"He and the other Freeholders have just
escaped from the Court, and it can't be
possible he wants to get there again under
smother Indictment"
.lWould you pay money if such bond
was given and warrants were signed in
,blank?' asked.
'.No. sir: I won't have any nonsense. I
am under $4,000 bonds, and shall not
ieopardize them by paying one cent of
Salaries or other claims"
ssThe interest and bonds will be attended
ITO. and tnat is all, for have the money
and control of these. AS l said before,
the only way for the Director to go abroad
IL 70 resign his office. OF course, he need
mot resign as a Freeholder. There are
grTssr one hundred and fifty employees who
want their salaries when earned, and it
wonld be unjust to deprive them of the
money for nearly three months"
sWeIl, Collector, is not this move in
the direction.of obtaining new Direc-
ltors" 49,
,x>there in the Board that can fill the of
acAY The only one know of is Freeholder
Eintmerly. No, i don't believe any one
yantg to force Mr.. Steger to resign, but
he viii have to If he goes away II any one
objects ,,,+ ,,,,o.u
"Not at S.all If he were away my la
s,ors would be naturally lighter than at
present. would like to see him take