The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-12-07
TURN THE
RAScALS OUT
formal Charges at Last
Against the Street and
Water Robbers.
A SHOCKING RECORD,
Figures That Show Where the
Taxpayers Money Has
Gone.
Negligence, Extravaganza, Con-
spiracY Conclusiyely Proven
EVERYWHERE.
Valuable Franchises Given Away and
the Treasury Looted by Con-
tractors.
LAID BEFORE MAYOR WANSER.

LAID BEFORE MAYOR WANSER.
Charges have been preferred against
John F. Madden, William r. Cook,
Edward A. Dugan. Stephen P. Yos and
Charles j. Somers rsspectively.th the Board
of Street and Water Commissioners. The
charges were made at half-past eleven
O'Clock this morning to May or Wanser.
The gentlemen preferring these
charges and asking for the immediate
removal of the Street and Water COM
missioners are:-Joseph A. Dear. Adam
Reid. Frank o. Cole. Reuben Simpson,
Jonn MorreIl, William II. Armstrong
and Otto Grouse.
The gentlemen have retained Coun~
seIlor Erwin to prosecute their case.
THE CHARGES.
The principal charges ara gsneral mis-
management of the city's affairs under
the control of tn accused officers;
violating the law rega riding the expendi-
ture of appropriations made; evading the
law governing tie giving QUE of work
without advertising for contracts which
exceed or equal In cost $500 !;
negligence in the performance
OF their duties and the wilful surrender
ing of streets and rhoroughfares to cor
porations without demanding proper
remuneration for the city. and granting
to surface railways ordinances under
which revenue cannot be collected with
out litigation
THE CHARGES PRESENTED.
Counsellor Erwin presented copy of
the charges to Mayor Wanser. and then
MIR. Joseph a. Dear went over them
section by section and dwelt at length
upon the points mentioned above. and
upon which they hoped the officials
would be removed from office.
"These men," said Frank 0. Cole,
shave shown since they have bsen in
Office, wiIlful disregard of the interests
of this city and of the people
who own property. can point to
one instance OF neglect of duty on their
parts which has been fagrant. The
street in front of my store has been
raised In grade by the Traction Com
pany. which has the city almost turned
upside down under the provisions OF an
ordinance granted by this board.
A manhole head there has been
broken With committee of
gentlemen called the attention Of two
members of that board TO the break. but
no attention was paid to me. At other
times have waited upon that board
with citizens. have waited
for two or three hours while
the Commissioners secreted themselves in
private room. fiually sending out word
that no meeting would be held. These
charges of negligence. extravagance
aud plain violation Of law / hope,
Mr.. Mayor. will be get down Cor a hear
lug one week from todsyl
STREET VACATIONS
Msior Armstrong called attention. to
the vacation of Brown Place sad Rail-
road avenue without compensation TO
>abutting property owners. he said:-
81 wish to arouse you TO action and rid
this city from this incubus
Those gentlemen ars in bad
door in the community, and the
presence as officials is detrimenG to the
growth aud welfare of our city. Our
streets are a disgrace aud the water
question should be agitated, but nothing
will ever be accomplished until we have
officials in whom our people have
come confidence. 81 represent people
who have bought property hers and
built houses. and they say thst the ac-
tions OF these officials has caused stag
nation here. Rents have had to be re-
duced, aud New York people who moved
here are moving back IS fast az they can.
"No wonder" said Mr.. Dear. that
our Water Department runs behiud. IL
will always run behind uutil eur work is
done properly. Contracts muss be given
out and piece meal work done away
with. have noticed that in rsek CUT
ting particularly. none by msn on slime.
they have habilually loafed, and Rot .
foot of pipe has ever been laid BY the
city, which has not cost three and four
times as much as it should
MAYOR WANsER,s REPLY.
Mayor Wanser replied to the gentle-
men that be would eater,ai1 the charges.
Il cannot. however" said he, "grant
this hearing for one week from today.
will have to read these charges carefully
ana consider them. butt assure you that
I will call hearing for no late day. I
will summon the accused officials before
men and give them an opportunity
rely. What will do then will be proper
aud just"
AS soon after the hearing
as practicable. Mayor Wanser
will probably formuIate charges
present them TO Governor Werts and