The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-02-15
9HE SENATE MAY DO IT.
Citizens Associations Unite
in a Movement for An
other Investigation
INTO THE CITY GOVERNMENT.
Property Holders Who Believe That
Mayor Cleyeland's Boards are
Full of Public Scandals.

citation, asking the Senate to send to this
city a special committee to investigate
the methods of the city officials, has at
tracted wide attention among property
owners in all parts of the city. There is
much legislation affecting municipal af-
fairs pending at Trenton, and the desire
of the Senate to inform itself upon the
city's needs is the presumed pretext for
the making of such an Investigation
The form of the resolution, which was,
by the way, unanimously adopted by the
association, was about this
That the secretary be instructed to- commune
cate with other taxpayers or citizens associa-
clons q enls CITY, requesting them 70 appoint
from this organization in selecting special
COMMITTEES from the whole to go to Trenton and
urge the State Senate to appoint a committee
from its body to inquire into the administration
OF the affairs of the several Boards in this ty,
since the present charter went in operation, and
more particularly that of the Board of Street
and Water Commissioners.
why does the resolution apply par
ticularly to the Board of Street and
Water CommissionersG l asked, of
prominent member of the association.
"Well," he replied, sit is reported that
crooked work has been done mostly un-
der its administration. cannot give you
the details, but we have received infor-
nation that gross irregularities as to con-
tracts and work executed, involving I'M
necessary expenditure of the public
money. have been committed and per-
mitted.
sit came to us from reliable source,
and we are convinced that a proper in
quiry into the workings of that depart
nient of the city government will show
an enormous waste and needless outlay
of the peoples money If it does not de-
velop something worse.
UNFAIR ASSESSMENTS.
1--WE are also convinced that such .
Legislative Committee will see that,
under the present system of levying
taxes and passing upon appeals fEom
assessments, the taxpayers who rhay
be unjustly assessed have no redrbss
in appealing to the same commission
that makes the discriminating and u1fz-
fair assessments: that the working oil
the present system only required an ex->
animation, in order to satisfy any honor
able legislative body that the power of
stricted the making the assessments, and
that another body should pass upon
appeals from their acts
I'VE are satisfied that the appointees or
Mayor Cleveland are incapable of fixing
fair and just valuations upon lands or
buildings, and hence the power to pass
upon the wisdom and justice of their acts
should be taken from them.
Matters, !" ne went on, ssare about az
bad as they can be. Petty bosses receive
instructions from 9 higher power, and
they have their underlings and tools to do
their dirty work.
!" ,rorninent politician was asked by
one of our citizens the other day why
he attached SO much Importance to q GER
tain boss when 1t was known he was not
an honest public official. The reply was
If you want cesspo0l cleaned you
won't do the job yourself, but will get
someone to do it for you.
"Our association is satisfied that the
administration of affairs as conducted at
present, if allowed TO continue, win ruin
the city, and we hope to have it rectifed. !"
OTHER DISTRICTS MOVING.
The movement is not, however, con-
fined to the Fourth District Association
by any means. | conversed with q promi-
nent officer of the Third District, Citi
zens' Protective Association this morn
ing, who In speaking for the association,
said:-ssWe have COMMITTEES appointed
with power to cooperate with similar
committees in inviting Senatorial in
vestigation of our municipal affairs un-
der the new charter. Our committee con-
sists of f. W. Payne. John Mcmahon,
John S. O'Connor, Peter Sherry and John
Reilly.
1--WE know that salaries have been very
largely increased by the Board Of Street
| w
expenses are largely in excess of those of
previous Boards. THE JERSEY CITY NEWS
called attention, several weeks ago, TO
the vast outlay for patching up streets,
and we feel that the taxpayers should
know what they are to receive for the
money that is being expended.
1--WE think the action of all the Boards
require an investigation, and that it will
result in benefit to the city.
In relation to the Tax Commission we
favor the appointment of Commission
of Appeals separate from the Tax Com
mission appointed by Justice Knapp"
MI. John Kanoop, prominent property
owner and member of the Protective As
sociation, said:-"The association desires
a fair legislative inquiry into the affairs
of the city. We are tired of having con-
tracts violated, and of having incompe-
tent men inspecting our improvements,
and letting the contractors violate theik
agreements.
"We believe the property owners who
have to pay for street improvements
should be consulted as to the proper per-
sons to inspect the jobs and prevent the
taxpayers from being swindled by con-
tractors.
eve propose to combine with all other
citizens associations for our protection
and the city's interests, and believe that
Senatorial investigation into the affairs
of the city at this time is a necessity"
THEY RE WATCHING LEGISLATION, TOO.
The Greenyille Citizens Association has
been one of the most active of any asso-
citation throughout the city. Its members
have watched the proposed legislative
acts very closely and if they do not like
the features of certain bills they are not
slow in acquainting their legislators OF
their objections and do all they possibly
can to defeat any such bills. Mr.. Harvey.
the President the of the Association.
Says that association too has been
watching the Legislature very closely.
1--WE are just now heartily opposing .
bill introduced by Mr.. Erwin, I" he added,
(which is in favor of employing skilled
mechanic as inspector OF sewerage. we
appointed a committee who conferred
with the Lafayette Citizens Association,
and Mr. Erwin will pe asked to amend or
change that bill.
We have also appointed the following
committee -Messrs. Lembeck, Oliver,
Simpson and Detwiller to confer with
other associations and ask to have that
law set aside or amended which give the
Mayor power TO appoint assessors who
shall act as an arbitrary board and which
permits no appeal We want to create q
Board who shall act Independently
from the Board of Assessors. think the
present Board is pre-eminently unjust
How about the Street and Water
Boards' asked.
aOh, they win be attended to later az
will several other branches of the present
city government" he answered
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