The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-01-21
ALDERMEN AT LARGE.
Public Sentiment in Hud-
son Seems to Favor
Them.
WHAT HOBOKEN AND BAYONSESAY
No Danger Of DeadlOcks Under Such
a System, Which Is u Great
Consideration.

The bill providing for the election of a
Councilman-at-La Large TO preside over the
Boards of Councilmen of second class
cities which was introduced into the Leg
islature on Tuesday by Assemblyman
Wagner is causing considerable discus
sion among his constituents in Bayonne,
at which city the measure is really
aimed.
Il think it is an excellent measure"
said President john W. Goddard of the
Board of Councilmen. I'm fact l have
always favored such q measure since my
election to the Board. 1 think it will do
away with the trouble in organizing the
Board like we have so often experienced.
]. however, don't believe in giving the
Council a salary and not
paying the other COuncilmen. The office
Will prevent a deadlock on any question.
l don't believe in the efficiency OF Senator
Marsh,s bill TO empower the Mayor to act
as a Councilman in case Of a tie vote in
the Board.
Chief of Police John b. Mcneil said
that he liked the bill and believed its
effect would be for good. He had seen .
prominent citizen of Hoboken who spoke
favorable of the measure and thought
The people OF that city would gladly
adopt it.
Councilman John H. Donohoe said that
he thought the measure a good one.
Mayor William G.. Farr said that he
had nothing to say upon the matter.
II think it is a wise measure" said
Councilman Charles MCGEE. at will
permit the transaction of business by the
Board by preventing deadv eks in the
choice for a President when the Board re-
organizes every SPRING"
Councilman Charles McQuillan said
chat Hn rr-aa 10. ~ Dr0 q AL~ 800
Councilman Henry Meigs was not pre-
pared to give any opinion upon the
measure. He had not considered the
effect of such an official, and to spring
the question upon him was unkind.
Councilman John Cadmus said he had
just read of the introduction of the bill.
He deemed it a very good thing if the
right man can be elected to fill the office.
1t would save a great deal of trouble and
would prevent deadlocks in the future.
Councilman Edward LOBBY heartily
endorsed the measure.
Contractor James j.. Cogan believed
the measure may be made a good Thing
for the city.
Charles E. Annett. director of the New
Jersey Athletic Club, Mechanics Trust
Company aud Bayonne Land Improve
ment Company, approved of the bill If it
contained no Objectionable features as
riders.
School Trustee job j. Hickey con-
sidered the bill a measure exactly suited
to the emergencies in which the commu-
nifty has frequently found itself.
City Attorney James P. Northrop said
that there is already upon the statute
books n bill with similar provisions. He
hunted up a copy of the laws OF 1891 and
exhibited an act approved February II,
1891, and contained in Chapter IS. The
act permits the changing of ward ines
by the municipal bodies of second class
ritias 0nca aVQrU five ware and aIlnwl in
sucn case The election of a Councilman
at-Large. He said that when Mayor
Farr files his judgment against the
change of the ward lines made by the
Council two years ago. the Board can
take advantage of the 1891 act.
SENTIMENT IN HOBOKEN.
The bill will not be Opposed by Messrs.
Coyle and Tahen, the Hoboken represent
~tatives. This was authoratively stated
to a reporter for The NEWS last night.
The Hoboken Council is at present
composed of two members from each of
the four wards. Very often in years
gone by the Council has been deadlocked,
II at one time a bill creating an Alder
man-at-Large was passed by the Leaisla-
ture to do away with deadlocks. At the
following election John r. Virgins.
opponent a Mr.. Webb protested and de-
clared that the bill creating the office
was unconstitutional. The matter was
fought in the Supreme Courts, and six
weeks after Mr.. Virgins election the
Supreme Court decided in favor of Mr..
Webb. Since that time there has been
occasional deSdlocks in the council.
Onerlo Sindaco Stanton could not be
found by the reporter last night, but it is
stated that he favors Assemblyman Mag
ner's bill.
Ex-Mayor Grassman is at Trenton. He
is not opposed to the bill.
Civ Clerk McDermott said this morn
ing that he was heartily in favor of AS
semblyman Magner's bill, as it would
prevent deadlocks and circuses in the
Common Council.