The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-01-21
BOARD OF FINANCE.
Opposition to the Proposed
Purchase of Ground
at Snake Hill.

What promised to be an unimportant
meeting of the Board of Finance last
evening became exceedingly interesting
before its close. Mr.. Kenny, as a member
Of the special committee to look into the
purchase By the Freeholders Of the por-
tion Of Snake Hill which is not owned by
the county, presented a report. Mr.
Kenny said that in November, 1875. that
portion Of the property owned by Mr..
Thurber, of New York, comprising nine
and one-half acres. was condemned for
s2s.975. and the other portion. belonging
to the estate Of Abel l. Smith, comprising
sixteen acres. for $40. 40. 10. At a recent
meeting of the Board Of Freeholders a
resolution was passed to purchase the
same property for Sl05,00O. Why the
property was not purchased then Mr.
Kenny did not know and 1t seemed
S.Ts1s' sepo1s o9 6S him, iSs he aommsa Tsaa the
Freeholders that recommended the pur-
chase of the property which stated that It
was required for county institutions, and
said that he could not see how any man
could make such report. Every tax
payer knows that the property cannot be
used for any such purpose and about all
bhab Ab W uo kOOu was " luEulhu 6lfl~
ployment to the convicts in taking out
stone.
THE LAND NOT REQUIRED.
Mr.. Kenny thought that il the county
wanted TO erect lunatic asylum it had
plenty Of property now without purchas-
ing another site. He asked why Il would
not be better to use the property the
county already had than to increase the
burdens Of the taxpayers by purchasing
~ 10 L.
that any one who purchased the bonds
issued TO pay for this property took
chances as TO whether he would get his
money back or not.
He strenously objected to Jersey City
being saddled with $66. 500 which he
showed would be the share of the sos, 900
which she would be compelled to pay on
the basis of the present valuations. A
gentleman showed him letter, in which
a few years ago the Thurber property
for which the Freeholders propose to pay
$4,000 was offered for sale Tor 81, 900.
Mr.. Kenny thought that the Board of
Finance, representing as it did those who
would have TO pay the larger part of the
purchase money of the property should
see to it that the Freeholders went no
further. The Board of Freeholders in his
opinion were going altogether too fast
If this thing goes on, $3.50. 600 spent for a
luDatic asylum, Sl05, 600 for this property,
and oIner expenditures which are now
contemplated were made, the tax payers
of Jersey City will wake up some day to
find thar they have slept. With made
quate school facilities, dilapidated fire
houses and a city hall that was a dis
grace to the community, Mr.. Kenny asked
how loDgl how longl Jersey City could
stand that sort of thing.
TO RESIST THE PURCHASE IN THE COURTS
If the Park Commissioners can pur-
chase property in the heart of the county
for 81, 600 an acre, he did not see why
property at Snake Hill should cost so
much The report in conclusion recon-
mended that the Board instruct the Cor
poration Counsel to take legal steps to re-
sist the purchase, and if it could not be
set aside to take measures to have the
land condemned. Laws were cited TO
show that this could be done. A resolu-
tion embracing the recommendation was
adopted.
The salary accounts were passed, and
the February interest, $40, $50 on general
account and Sl4, $50 on water account,
were provided for. Tim Long was voted
a salary of SIS per month for mis- services
TO the Board, and the necessary bonds
were ordered issued to pay for the site re-
Gently purchased for the new Second Pre-
cinct Police Station.