The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-09-24
The Remains of Orestes
Cleveland Rebukes ReCk-
less Granting of
Franchises.
WERSEBE GETS HIS LICENSE.
An Astonishing yste for the 0bjec-
tionable Saloon--Hack Drivers
Versus the Public.
TELEPHONE PRIVILEGES.

OreSteS ClevelanQsS gnOSG hovered over
the proceedings of the Board of Aldermen
last night. AS soon as the meeting was
called to order, the Clerk read four vetoes
of ordinance that had been almost unani-
mousiy passed by the Board. Nobody
seemed to know what has come over His
Fraudulency's remains. Soma said it
was retribution. Others that he was
nursing political boomlet. Others that
ii was scheme in the interest Of some
other corporation. Perhaps, after all, it
was the complimentary votes rendered
him for Poundkeeper. Whatever it
was it is certain that the
the Board granting the right to co m
panies hereafter to be formed to tear up
the city's streets for the purpose Of lay
ing gas mains, electrical conduits, erect
ing posts and stretching wires for light,
heat and power purposes, were vetoed;
likewise the instructions to City Clerk
Scott to afiix the city seal to no contract
for water without orders from the Board
OF Aldermen. This latter, Mr.. Cleveland
argued, was an, encroachment of one
municipal department on the rights of
another.
In his veto of the Union Heat and
Light ordinance Mr.. Cleveland argued
that the General Laws gives power only
TO companies already organized and
ready to begin work. There was no de-
bataple ground. A company must have
thirteen directors who are stock holders,
two thirds of whom shall live in the city
where such franchise Is granted; one
half the stock shall have been already
subscribed, and thirty per cent. paid in TO
the company's treasury and agreements
filed with the Secretary of the State.
Ia this case none of the State require
had iod rvif
franchise was not asked for in good
faith; not u single one OF the proposed in
corporators knew anything about the gas
business, and the company was not in
condition 10 receive franchise from the
city.
LEGAL ADVICE ASKED.
Mr.. Jordan thought Mr.. Cleveland had
no right TO thus sumnlarily dispose of the
matter. He thought the ordinance
should heI referred to the Corporation
Counsel for his opinion before the Alder
men passed it over Mr.. Cleveland's Veto
Mr.. O'Neill said the Corporation Coun-
sells opinion should have been sought be
!xss-re the ordinance was passed. Mr..
Cleveland knew the Board had the power
TO grant the ordinance. Nj. Cleveland
himself came before the Board TO make
speech in the interest of the Gas Con-
sumers' Company before Its ordinance
was granted.
Mr.. Smith:-stIt makes a difference
whose OK is gored.n
Mr.. O'Neill:-'T know nothing about
that. "
ing.
SHOCKING ELECTRICITY.
In his veto of the ordinance grant, ng
T. r. Ord. j. Preston HiX and others
franchise to supply electrical currents to
customers In the city, Mr.. Cleveland ar
gued that the company had no right TO
.1ss~ ~1.~ txx,4r n hn nx xtGpf f0PO
posed. He drew a dolefal picture of
dying horses, burning houses and de-
feated efforts of firemen to raise ladders
to burning buildings. He had vetoed a
similar ordinance wherein he had ex-
plained his reasons. Any property holder
had right to object.
The ordinances grantin Charles d. p
Gibson, OF Lafayette. and others fran
chise to lay wires and erect poles for sup
plying electricity TO customers in Lafay-
ette Mr.. Cleveland pronounced utterly
absurd and illegal.
Mr. Cleveland's batch of vetoes was
laid over until next meeting.
Mr Kaiser secured the passage of a
resolution allowing the boundaries of
election precincts TO remain the same for
the coming election as those fixed for the
election of last November, and authoriz-
ing the Election Committee to fit up the
election books in compliance with the
present law.
Ten liquor licenses were granted and
one transfer made The salaries of City
Clerk, City Marshal, Building Inspector,
Poormaster and Inspector of Seals and
Measures for September were ordered
paid when due
wRIsEBE SUCCEEDS.
After an exceedingly lively debate
George T. Wersebe was granted liquor
license for a saloon at Sip and Summit
avenues. In the face OF remonstrance
signed by seventy-odd residents. The
Yeas--CONNOLLY, HOOS. JORDAN,
.KEOGH. NORTON. O'NEILL, SCHER-
MERHORN, ALLEN.
ays-Kaiser, Macarthur. Salinger and
Smith.
Alderman Smith making all liquor
licenses void after July1, 1891. all apph-
cants to pay but a proportionate cost up
to that date, and fixing the penalty Of $50
fine for each act of selling without a
license. was passed. Mr., Smith did not
see the necessity OF accepting Alderman
Salinger's amendment. "or ten days in
the City Prison." as the Police Magis-
trate had the right to hold an offender
until the fine was paid.
Mr.. Salinger's ordinance making it the
duty of policemen to make complaints
before Police Justices against persons
violating the excise law, fixing the pen
atty at $50 or ten days in city prison,
was also adopted. The fine w0ulu have
been made equivalent to the amount paid
for the license had the law allowed.
& TO PUT UP STREET SIGNS.
Mr.. Hoos offered resolution asking
the Board OF Finance to appropriate a
sufficient sum to pay for lettering the
names of streets and avenues on street
lamps.
Mr.. Smith said the Finance Board had
no money for such purpose and could not
make the appropriation until next July.
President Allen, who is one Of the FL
nance Commissioners. said he saw no inn
propriety of ascertRining the cost and
presenting it to the Finance Board for its
consideration II was though $500 would
cover the cost. and the Finance Board
will be asked TO appropriate that sum.
The Committee on Stationery and sup
8 niles were authorized to purchase horse
iind wagon for the Binding inspector at
q cost not to exceed $500.
Alderman Schermerhorn wanted to
know how much of that sum was TO be
invested In horsf He didn't think
i sf00 skate you well before 500
wagon. the iignity &the city was at
stake. Alderman Macarthur, however,
/. "a vised that Il good wagon be purchased
! It xll hazards. as the horse could be I'M
proved, whereas tho condition 81 our