The Jersey City news., 1891-03-25
THE SCANDAL CONDEMNED
Aldermen Discuss the Police and
Fire SuDerintendencY Bill.

nights meeting of the Board Of Alder
men. This fact doubtless led Alderman
Schermerhorn to offer a resolution de-
signed to put the Board Of Aldermen, as
representative body OF the people, on
record as opposed to the bill recently
passed By the Legislature creating the
Office of Superintendent Of the Police and
the Fire Departments.
The resolution called upon the Cover
nor to withhold his signature from the
bill, and thus save the taxpayers Of Jer-
sey City 5000 annually.
Mr.. O'Neill moved to table the resolu-
ton. This was defeated by tie partisan
vote, as was also the original motion to
pass the resolution. On the latter ques-
tion Mr.. Hoos voted aye, but subsequent
ly changed his vote before It was an.
nounced, causing considerable applause
from the lobby for so doing.
Almost every member of the Board,
Democrat and Republican, in voting upon
the question. paid a merited tribute to
Chief of Police Ben Murphy.
Said Mr.. Jordon:-'-There Is not q
member of this Board who delights more
to pay tribute 10 Chief of Police Ben
MuTphy. But IL Alderman Schermer-
horn introduced this resolution as piece
Of political clap trap, he can't expect US
Democratic members TO support IL in the
face Of the action OF a Democratic Legis-
lature.
THE PEOPLES ONLY REPRESENTATIVES,
Said Alderman McArthur:-"I agree
with Mr.. Jordan. We. as a Board Of
Aldermen, represent the people The
Board of Aldermen is the only municipal
Board that represents the people. This
bill was passed in the interest of the
Democratic party, and not in the interest
Of the people,
Mr. O'Neill, having prior to the intro
duction of the resolution, made quite a
speech on the subject of public improve
ments, Mr.. Macarthur claimed that in
supporting the resolution he eat his own
words
But Mr.. o'Neill was ready for Mr..
Macarthur Here's an alderman" said
he, who voted for 50. 600 year to be paid
to the members of this Board"
stop right there" cried Alderman
Macarthur. 81 did no such thing"
"Well," continued Mr.. O'Neili. "any-
how the Republican members are only
talking for political effect. They know
Alderman Norton is absent and they
want to take advantage of his absence.
There is not man in this chamber who
knows Chief OF Police Murphy more
intimately than | do. If there Is an hon
est Republican on the face of Gods earth
Ben Murphy Is that man. But it's mere
child's play to petition a Democratic
Governor TO withhold his signature from
bill passed by a Democratic Legislature
in the interest Of cities other than Jersey
City. The bill may be already signed.
But, anyhow, we as Democrats cannot
repudiats the action of a Democratic
legislature"
"Governor Albeit in his heart don't
approve of that bill, - said Alderman Sal
| Afr III xrf N mn
that this bill was passed in the interest of
the people | will cheerfully vote for it.
The Chief of Police and the Chief of the
Fire Department are good enough for me.
Submit the question to popular vote
and you will fiud that nine out of every
ten voters viii vote against the iniquit-
Gus measure"
Replying to ar. O'Neiii's rip-digger
that he had engineered the movement TO
secure an annual salary for fhe members
OF the Board of Aldermen, Mr.. Salinger
said:-'I asked for a carrying out Of The
law. Did you not addressing Mr..
O'Neilll take advantage of a law passed
in 1890 increasing your salaryS"
NO" replied Mr.. O'Neiu.
"Iu 1S9ls"
"No." again answered Mr. O'Neill.
MR.. o'NEILL's LEASE OF LIFE.
"Didn't the Legislature vote you a new
lease of life Laughter from the lobby J.
DOllLlch1lNs L
faith, Mr.. President, to believe that Mr..
Albeit will sign that bill. Chief of Police
Murphy is a model official. aud the fac
that Chief of Fire Department Conway
having been voted $500 annually beyond
the usual pay constrains me TO believe
that be must be superior TO the late Fire
Chief Farrier."
Mr.. Smith said the bill was a disgrace
to New Jersey. In the early part OF the
evening ne introduced a resolution au-
thorizing the Committee on Public
Grounds and Buildings to see that the
dead trees were taken from the public
parks and new ones planted therein at an
expense not to exceed $125.
Mr.. Salinger objected on the ground
that new law practically took this mat
ter from the hands OF the Board Of Alder.
men and put ii into the hands Of the Street
and Water Commissioners.
The bill has not yet been signed by the
Governor.
Mr.. Smith urged that Auril was the
proper time for this work. Eighteen dead
trees were removed last summer and fif-
teen more were to be removed this sum
mer.
Mr. Ward secured the adoption of a
| resolution appointing a committee of
three to wait upon the Pennsylvania
Railway Company to see if a crossing
other than that OF a grade crossing could
be secured for james street Messrs.
Ward, Salinger aud Keogh were ap-
pointed
Mr. Salinger brought mp the matter of
the ordinance relative TO the establish
ment of fire limits in Jersey City and the
providing of fire escapes for buildings
within the prescribed limits.
Mr.. Macarthur secured the passage OF
an amendment requesting that builders
and architects of the city be requested to
meet in the Aldermanic Chamber on the
evening of April to discuss for one hour
the provisions of the proposed ordinance
previous 20 the session Of the adjourned
meeting.
The election officers to serve at the com.
ing election were appointed.
Damages for His Sons Life.
Philip A Williams has begun a suit IN
rhe Circuit Court against the North River