The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-09-10
THE SK|RMISH LINE.
Every Topic Makes Trouble
in the Board of Alder
men Now.
0RESTES CLEVE-
LANDS SALARY.
Can lie be Sued for s250?-- MIR.
Edwards Thinks He Is
All Right.
LIQUOR AND LIGHT SQUABBLEs.

The meeting of the Board of Aldermen
last night was characterized by num-
Der of amusing little breaks For two
hours and a half good sized lobby
looked on as interested as gallery gods
at French opera All the members
were present except Alderman Jordan.
Mr.. O'Neill came In late. But he was
there, all the same.
Corporation Counsel Edwards was
present. He submitted his opinion upon
the question raised by Alderman Salin-
ger at a recent meeting in reference to
Mr.. Cleyeland's salary. Mr. Edwards
stood by the opinion already submitted
to the Board of Finance relative thereto.
Last night he handed Clerk Scott the fol-
lowing epistle:-
To the Board of Aldern,en:-
GENTLEMEN: herewith return my opinion upon
theresolution relative to the saIary at His Honor
the Mayor referred to me at your last meeting
The act authorizing the increase was approved
April 10. 1889; by its terms the Board OF Alder
men had power TO fix the salary of Mayor of a
city of the first class at not less than S3500 nor
more than $4,000 per annuln. At the time of its
passage the salary OF the Mayor of Jersey City
was So, 900 per annum. The Aldermen fixed the
salary of the Mayor by resolution passed May Z,
1859, ut 5000 per annum, under the act without
liking time ut which the increase should COM
mence
The Committee on Finance OF the Board of
Finance requested my opinion as to the date
from which the increased salary should run.
advised them that as the resolution of the Board
oil Aldermen was silent on that point the in
creased salary would from the date Of the
approval of the act Of April 10, 1899. In accord
ance with the opinion the salary ordered
paid at the increased rate from that date. /
ara still of the same opinion, and SO advise
you.
Moreover, the act contemplates that the salary
OF may or of cities of the first class should be
increased to a sum between $500 and $4,000
per annum, but leaves the fixing of that sum to
the municipality through its Board of Aldermen; I;
the act by its terms took effect Immediately,
likewise the increase; the Board of Aldermen
simply fixed the measure of that increase.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM D. EDWARDS.
MIR sALINGER NOT SATISFIED.
Mr.. Salinger objected He did not
wish to criticise Mr.. Edwards opinion.
Mr.. Edwards was a lawyer and he had a
right to his opinion. But he was mis-
taken. Mr.. Cleveland was not entitled to
the increase in salary until it WAS adopt
ed by resolution of the Board of Alder
men and signed by the Mayor. Not even
then, but ten days afterward. Mr..
Cleveland could be sued and Judgment
recovered for $3.50.
Mr. Macarthur thought that to allow
the A1ay0r~increase of salary from the
date OF the passage of law would establish
a had precedent in mercantile affairs.
A clerk in an ordinary store would be en-
Titled TO an increase OF salary from the
date of the decision of the firm to increase
his salary no matter what date might be
fixed upon as the time from which such
increase might be drawn.
Mr.. Smith moved the Corporation
Counsels opinion be tabled. Mr. Hoos
seconded the motion, and the opinion was
tabled.
NEW CoNSTABLEs
William Reen resigned as constable of
the First district. John H. Masker was
subsequently unanimously elected by
Graham. the terror of Ring heelers, was
elected to fill the vacancy caused by the
resignation of Adam Schaffer as consta-
BILE in the Sixth district. The captain re-
ceived all OF the eight votes cast Eleven
Aldermen were present besides the chair
man. Mr.. Norton wanted. to know where
eight votes came from. He was sure he
and Mr.. Connolly and Mr.. O'Neill did
not vote for Mr.. Graham. He seemed to
doubt if other Democrats had. Mr..
Schermerhorn, as teller. wanted TO know
If Mr.. Norton accused him OF stufling the
ballot box. Mr.. O'Neili acted as the
other teller
A communication was received from
Edward Pagan, Charles Fitzsimmons,
Martin Pagan. Joseph Albecht and a.
number of citizens of Marion asking the
Board of Aldermen to abate the nuisance
crented by the Marion Rifle Club. The
members were destructive to properly
and the carelessness exercised while tar
get shooting was dangerous to life. Re-
terred to Committee on Streets.
A petition was also received from the
Junk Dealers Association asking that
the Incense granted Frank Cont be re-
voked, as it had been obtained by false
representations. Cont was not of age
and was guilty of entering and larceny.
The association claimed to be composed
of men who had for years tried to elevate
themselves as good and moral citizens
Another petition prayed that the name
of Water avenue might be changed to
Vandcrbeck avenue.