The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-05-08
The Charter Hearing Re-
sumed and the New
Boards Are Heard
From.
PLENTY OF GOVERNMENT NOW.
Scenes and Incidents--James 1855
Clarke Answers to His New Name.

1t was two minutes past eleven this
morning when the Gladstonian white
whiskers and profile of Supreme Court
Commissioner George w. Cassidy
emerged from the elevator and entered
the Vice Chancellor's chambers to do dec
orative duty while testimony was being
taken in the fight over the new charter.
The room was nice and clean, and the
oaken benches and chairs looked inviting;
but nobody was there
After a wait John p Feeney skipped
out of the elevator Mr.. Feeney wore
bright blue necktie. Next came James E.
Connolly, clerk to the new Tax Board, ac-
companied by a pretty little maid of six,
whom he introduced as one of his
daughters. Senator Edwards, Allan L.
MeDermott and ex-Mayor Collins dribbled
in, ana then came rush of officeholders
and claimants.
"How are you, 1852" said Mr.. Feeney,
when James 1856 Clark came in. James 1856
Clark said he was well.
ACTS OF THE MAYOR.
Very little testimony was taken yester-
day afternoon after the report of THE
JERSEY CITY NEWS closed. The witnesses
were Clerk Robinson, of the Police Board;
Clerk McAneny, of the old Board of
Finance, and City Clerk Scott Their tes-
timony was intended to prove that the
two Boards named were in working order
still. 1t was further attempted to be
shown by ex-Mayor Collins that Mayor
Cleveland had officially recognized GER
tain of the old Boards as late as May 2 by
signing warrants and approving resolu-
tions passed by them.
THE HEARING BEGINS.
The hearing today began. with Clerk
bonds of the old City Collector, Treasurer
and Comptroller, which were put in evil
dence by Mr.. Collins.
Old Corporation Attorney Roderick B.
Seymour testified that he was performing
the duties of his office and that nobody
had made demand on him for possession
of it,
EVIDENCE FOR THE CHARTER.
Senator Edwards called Clerk Esta-
brook, of the Fire Board, who testified
that the new Fire Commissioners met
yesterday afternoon and organized by
electing John Conway president and
adopting the rules of the old Board tenn
porarily.
Ex-Fire Commissioner John Guiton,
driver of Engine No. 6, appeared in his
new blue uniform Ex-Judge McDer-
mott examined him. He said that the
new Fire Board was managing that de-
partment.
Colonel J. B. Cleveland was among the
spectators. He was congratulated on the
military rank which has been bestowed
on him.
Ex-senator William A. Brinkerhoff sat
down in the witness chair to say that he
was the only genuine Corporation Coun-
sci in Jersey City. Senator Edwards had
made a demand on him for the papers,
but he hadn't given any up
FIRE COMMISSIONERS ON TWO HORSES.
Fire Commissioner Robert Quinlan tes-
titled that the Fire Department was being
run under the new charter EX-Mayor
Collins popped objection after objection,
all of which exJudge McDermott calmly
ignored.
Mr.. Quinlan said on cross-examination
that he had not resigned the Fire Commits
sionership to which he was elected and
was considerably nonplussed by the Ques-
tion whether he still claimed Office under
his election. He showed decided objec-
tion to surrendering any of his two claims
to office.
President John Conway, of the new and
the old Fire Board, went through the
same mill. He told Mr. Collins that his
opinion as to which was the legal board
was as good as Mr.. Collins The lawyers
looked surprised ana Mr.. conway went on
to say in answer to question that he
didn't hold his Office simply; he held it
permanently"
Fire Commissioner Henderson was next
fitted to the rack, and after saying that
the department. was now run under the
new charter, he was wooed by Mr.. Collins
to say that he had no title to the office by
reason of his election. He declined to say
this and declared that he and his two as
sociates, under the new charter, were in
the position of riding two horses.
MR.. FEENEY TEsTIFIEs.
John p, Feeney testified that he was as
much of Police Commissioner under the
new charter as he could be. The new
Board organized, took charge of the de-
partment and gave orders to the Chief of
Police, which orders were obeyed The
new Board met again last night and the
standing committees were appointed and
the Chief was directed to notify accused
policemen to appear before the Board
Other orders were issued and the Chief
said he would obey them.
Mr.. Collins asked Mr.. Feeney if he held
any other Office than Police Commissioner
Mr.. Feeney replied that he was an officer
in the Prosecutors office, and member
of Assembly.
Ibid you vote for the so-called new
charterp
''Sure did" was the proud reply.
"Ask him what he knows about hand
cars" suggested Speaker Hudspeth Mr..
Feeney was allowed to go without telling.
Police Commissioner James E. Kelly
testified that the new Police Board was
performing it's duties. He admitted that
If the charter were knocked out he would
return to the old Board, to which he was
elected, if he could.
CHIEF MURPHY DIPLOMATIC
Chief of Police Benjamin Murphy tes-
titled that the latest orders he had re-
ceiyed were from the new Board. Ex
Judge MeDermott tried to get him to Say
who he recognized as the real Police Com
sioners of Jersey City, Chief Murphy re-
piled that it was his duty to enforce the
laws and he tried very hard not to say
that he recognized any Board much more
than another.
CITY CLERK SCOTT CONGRATULATED
City Clerk Scott was congratulated on
his reelection and testified that G. w.
Allen who was elected Alderman-at-
Large under the new charter, presided at
the meeting of the new Board of Alder
men last evening and that no objection
was made to him by any of the members
William G. German, clerk to the new
Board of Finance, produced the minutes
of the Board. Next he exhibited the bonds
of the new City Treasurer and Collector
and other new officials. On cross exam
ination he said that he had not possession
of any of the records or archives of the old
Board of Finance and Taxation.
SPEAKER HUDsPETH's CLAIM.
Sneaker Robert s. Hudspeth testified