Gloucester County Democrat., 1893-03-09
"ouR ACT OF INTERPRETATIONS

more banquet, on Tuesday evening Febru-
ary 2Sth.
Mr President
The reception of your courteous invita-
ton to participate in the generous festiyi-
ties of this hospitable celebration, not only
revives pleasant recollections of my recent
association with you as member Of Coun-
Gil, and in other fields of service where
tried and faithful men are required, but
Brings back again vividly to my remem-
brance the experiences and associations OF
nearly thirty years of public life, in our
own local Municipal Government, and a
Retrospective glance over that period OF
time may not prove inappropriate, or un-
interesting for recital here.
When this fair land of ours was con-
vulsed by the terrible shock of gigantic
civil war, and the whole superstructure of
our noble Government was shaken from
| foundation to capstone, by the fierce as
sauits of courageous men of our own blood
and language, was of arms bearing age,
but cannot now claim to haYe taken any
part in the heroic restoration of lawful
authority on the bloody field of victorious
military action. Nevertheless l can claim
that man could then render patriotic and
| faithful service to his country, in her very
hour of sorest need, even by staying at
home, and assisting in upholding its right
| ful authority by voice and vote, and by
contributions of money and the payment
of all necessary taxes; and by intelligent
service in any public capacity to which he
was called by the voice of his fellow
citizens. l recall plainly now how hard
i it was in the halcyon days of vigorous
youth, to resist the inclination to enter the
Military Service when the whole land was
aflame with patriotic fervor, and floating
and fluttering flags kissed every Northern
breeze, and martial music swelled the
heart and pride, and stirred the loyalty of
every patriotic citizen. Other counsels
prevailed with me, however and on March
8, 1864, at n years Of age, while that
mighty civil revolution was still in angry
progress, and its victorious elimination
was not yet in view of waiting, patient and
anxious millions my first public service
began, in my selection as Town Clerk of
the good old Township of Deptford, which
now comprises the present City of Wood
bury, and the Township of Deptford and
West Deptford. This position first brought
me into contact with those who were then
serving the Government and country IN
every capacity of public action-both
Military and Civil.
| At that time Woodbury. had Borough
Government of its own, in addition it also
being part OF the Township of Deptford.
On March Is, 1865, I was elected Borough
Clerk, and was thus brought into contact
with Alexander Wentz, who afterwards
became Mayor, not only of the Borough,
but of the City when it was incorporated.
This Borough was created in 1854 in spite
of the determined opposition of many
good men, and had never secured the
hearty support of all the citizens. In
consequence, the good that was hoped for
in its creation had never been realized,
and elections under their charter failed to
attract much interest in the later years of
| its existence. l remember now distinctly
that in February or March, 1869, Mayor
| Wentz asked me to come over to his office
one evening to consult with him about the
ensuing borough charter election. On
arriving there he requested me to name
some persons who would make suitable
members of Council. Among others l
suggested the name of Thomas B. Joslin.
| His nomination was made, and on March
II, 1889, he was elected member of the
Borough CouEcil. He was much misnn-
derstood but thoroughly patriotic and pub
lie spirited man. He was fond of holding
Office, but he filed every station he ever
occupied with conspicuous ability, and
from that hour dates the beginning of the
creation of a new Woodbury., with seper-
ate incorporated City Government, with
greater opportunities. A man Of great
originality of thought, and of unflagging
and indomitable perseverance, when ac-
tiYely supported by other practical men.
Councilman Joslin applied himself zeal
ously to the task of ascertaining what was
the matter with the Borough Charter.
Patient investigation soon convinced him
that separate Incorporation was the only
cure for the trouble. This was radical
move in the right direction but his more
conservative colleagues were not quite
ready to adopt his views, and suggested
amendments to the old charter as all the
people would then sustain. With this end
in view an advertisement was inserted in
the Woodbury. Constitution, where 1 was
then employed as a compositor, giving
notice that an application would be made
at the ensuing session of the Legislature,
for the passage of a supplement to the
Charter of the Borough of Woodbury..
This notice was signed by James III. Pier
ugh Clerk. On November 22d, 1869, at
stated meeting of Council, the following
resolution was adopted:
Res0lred, That Committee be appointed
to prepare revised Charter of the Borough,
to be presented at the next meeting of the
Council, and that they are hereby author
posed amendments. and submit them to
said Committee.
Councilman John H. Bradway. Thomas
B. Joslin and Adon w. Cattel were ap-
pointed the Committee provided for by this
resolution. This Committee at once ap-
piled themselves assiduously TO the per-
| formance of the duty entrusted to them.
Many meetings were held, and numerous
charters of towns of similar size were ex-
amined, and finally the Charter of the City
of Bayonne, in Hudson county was selected
as the groundwork from which to construct
the new Charter for Woodbury.. The first
draft was written by Councilman Joslin,
and was afterwards REVISED and rewritten
by the late James Moore, Esq, who after
wards became the first City Solicitor.
| The Woodbury. Constitution of date Of
| Jan. 8, 1875, gives the following statement
of the first result of the labors of this Com
mittee:
"The Committee appointed by the Com
mon Council of the Borough of Woodbury.,
to prepare a revised Charter for the Govern
ment of the Borough, presented it to Coun-
Gil at its last regular meeting on Monday
evening the 9th ult.
"This new Charter provides for the sep
Grafton of the territory comprising the
present Borough of Woodbury. from the
Township of Deptford, and constitutes it a
distinct local government to be known as
the City of Woodbury..
| An adjourned meeting of Council was
held on Tuesday evening the 23th ult-, and
another will be held this evening, with
such others as they may hereafter appoint,
for the consideration, amendment and adop-
| tion by Cou neil of this revised Charter.
ut is proposed by Council, after COM
pleting their labors in a manner satisfac-
tory to themselves, to cause this revised
charter to be printed and circulated am ong
the inhabitants of the Borough, for their
consideration, and after sufficient time has
elapsed for this purpose, will hold meet
ing of Council in some public and conve-
nient place, of which due notice will be
given, at which meeting amendments may
be offered to the cause in writing by any
citizen of the Borough. Should it become
apparent at this meeting, by petition or