The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-01-14
A HOT ROW IN HOBOKEN.
The Councils Legislative
Committee Sat Upon at
a Public Meeting.

Several weeks ago at a public meeting
of the Hoboken Common Council, a
Legislative Committee was appointed to
draft several bills, making radical
changes in the city government. The
committee consisted of Mayor Grassman,
Councilmen Erlenk oetter, Timken and
Bruggem an Several star chamber meet
ings were held by the committee, and
their deliberations were kept very secret.
1t soon became known, however, that
the object of the Committee was to have
the Corporation Attorney draft bills pro-
yiding that the salary of the Mayor be
increased to 81, 600 a year. and that the
Mayor have the appointing power of four
tax commissioners, and of the chief engl-
neer of the paid fire department.. 1t was
also decided to have the police force in
creased fifteen men. There was also
some talk of building inspector and
other new officers.
When the intention of the committee
became known to the tax payers it Gre
ated howl. So prolonged was the howl
that at recent meeting of the Council it
was decided to advertise for mass meet
ing of citizens to be held in the Council
Chamber last night, at which the mem
bers of the Council and the legislators
were invited to be present.
uc u1GcUluS WAS CdllcQ W OTucI OJ
Counsellor Daily. who had been elected
chairman. Joseph Weinthal was chosen
secretary. Lawrence Pagan, Assembly
man for the Ninth district, was also pres
ent. The Councilmen present were
Kelly, Timken, Londrigan, ErlenkoetGer
and Snyder. Councilmen Stanton and
Bruggeman were conspicuous by their
absence.
The lobby was packed with prominent
taxpayers, amongst whom were ex-Mayor
Timken, Philip Hexamer and others.
After Counsellor Datz had stated the OBJ
ject of the meeting, Councilman Erlen-
koetter was asked what the Legislative
Committee had accomplished in the way
of new legislation.
The Councilman said that nothing had
been done and that nothing had been
recommended to the Council as yet. He
continued:-"I do not know what
prompted Councilman Snyder to intro
duce the resolution calling for a citizens
meeting here tonight, as there is no neces-
sity for it,"
Councilman Timken said:-"As mem
Der of the legislative committee l will
state that nothing has as yet been done
except that the Corporation Attorney has
been ordered to prepare bill granting
power to the Mayor to appoint four Tax
Commissioners Several other offices
were to be created, but the bills have not
yet assumed definite shape.
Ex-Mayor Timkin then took the floor.
81 would like TO ask the members OF the
legislative. Committee whether they have
consulted the wishes of the taxpayers in
this all important matter" said he.
Now they propose to change our present
Tax Board. AT the present time the Tax
Board is composed of two men from each
ward, who are elected by the people.
making Il total of eight men in the Board.
Now these men are eminently respectable.
I They make the appropriations for run
ming the city government. Now | will
explain the little scheme of the ring.
They want to have the Tax Board to con-
sist of four men, appointed by the Mayor.
The present Board does not know W hat
the .sboys" want Oh, no; such men as
Messrs Macy, Steljes and others do not
know the needs of the city.
SIN palmer words, they do not know
how to spend the money fast enough.
against any such legislation and will ask
our representative, Mr.. Pagan, not to lis
ten to the pleading of the gang for more
patronage. (Applause.)
"It is an outrage, and they are trying
to make the people believe it is benefit.
1t is q scheme to rob the taxpayers.
There is another bill, understand, to in
lieve that the present force is enough. If
not. make them work ten hours instead
of eight.
'Mr. Chairman, if these bills pass, but
/ am sure they will not, it will be one of
the biggest pieces of jobbery ever at
tempted. The bill to create, paid fire
department. consider good one."
Councilman Timken-"I do not like to
be understood as the champion of the
Legislative Committee, but l will state
that the paid fire department will cost
$25, 900 a year to run it,.
Mr.. Pagan then took the floor. "Sev-
eral prominent citizens have spoken to
me" he said, "about the necessity for a
paid fire department. Now, for this we
do not want any legislation. AS under
stand it there was 500 appropriated for
the maintenance of the department last
year. The cost of a paid department
would be but $4,000 more year than the
present system.
1--WE do not want any act of the Legis-
lature to provide for this. All that is
necessary is to increase the appropriation.
Now, as to the other bills proposed by the
legislative committee, making the Board
of Tax Commissioners appointive by the
Mayor, / will not entertain them Zap
plause( / consider our present Tax
Board splendid institution and will not
father bill abolishing it (applause)."
Councilman Kelly had his little say
and pitched into the scheme to increase
the pay of the Mayor and to do away
witch the present Board of Tax Commis-
sioners.
1t was then decided that the Council be
instructed to have paid fire depart
ment. This will not abolish the old
volunteer system.
To do away with the volunteers it
would be necessary to have bill intro
duced in the Legislature, which could not
possibly be passed owing to the objections
of the representatives of all second class
cities in which the volunteer system is in
vogue
Ex-Mayor Timken then offered reso-
lution which was clincher. 1t was to
the effect that Mr.. Pagan be instructed to
do all in his power to defeat any bill
which might be introduced by South
Jersey member creating new govern
ment for Hoboken.
The meeting then adjourned.