The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-03-03
THE DRUG MAJORITY
Refuse to Consider Mayor
Wanser's Veto of the
Salaries Resolution.
HABIT OF HANGING THEIR HEADS
William D. Edwards Defends His
Work as Corporation Counsel
Detwiller's Position.
HABIT OF HANGING THEIR HEADS

Messrs. Hitler, Bedell and Simpson, the
''drug" majority of the Board of Finance,
were afraid, last night, to tackle Mayor
Wanser's veto of the salaries of Messrs.
Brinkerhoff and Erwin.
Commissioners Detwiller, who stands alone
faithful to Mayor Wanser and the cause of
reform, was present at the meeting, and by
his vote was able to upset the plans of his
colleagues,
When Mr.. Detwiller saw that the veto was
not to be taken up and acted upon, he on
fered a resolution to TAX the veto from the
table. Mr.. Simpson went Town deep into
his pockets to find something to twirl, while
Mr.. Bedell coughed a cough that is original
with him, and MIR. Hitler INDUCED IN his
usual nerve quieting process OF ruDplnga
pair of eyeglasses that he does not use. VI
course, no one seconded the motion and IL
died.
Mr.. Detwiller made another effort by
making a motion that the resolution rela-
tive to the salaries of the gentlemen who are
holding Office under protest be passed, not
w~ithstanding the objections OF his Honor
the Mayor. This was d puZzler. There were
more coughs from the Bedeil side of the
house, some squirning IN the celery district
and substantial activity in the drug corner.
Mr.. DetwiIler had knocked them out, but
they were afraid to try a. vote. Inc inotlon
was not seconded. The fight was over, the
board deciding on Mr.. Bedells motion to
adjourn. to meet Oh Wednesday, March Z,
at eight O'Clock in the evening.
MIR. EDWARD FACES THE
While the board was in session Mr.. Will
lam D. edwards put in an appearance, pre-
pared to cram down the neck of Reuben Simp-
son tho statements made by him at Mondays
session of the board, which were forward
ed to a newspaper Office for publication, be-
fore uttered, concerning the alleged wanton
neglect of the city's law business, while he
Mr. Edwards held the Office of Corporation
Counsel.
In a quiet and caustic manner Mr.. Ed
wards declared that it was unfair and I'M
just for any one to put speeches IN the
mouth of a man in defence OF a former as
sociate.
Mr.. Brinkerhoff moved uneasily in his
seat when this was said, and raped I'M
patiently on the table with his spectacles.
Some time about December q last" con-
tipued Mr.. Edwards, when / attended a
lengthy meeting of this board, the President
of this board asked ne if | had in my hands
any unfinished law business relating to the
city. l replied No. after reference to the
minute book of Mr.. Finck. The board act
best of friends. Last Monday evening |
Mr. simpsons, which had been care
fully prepared, in which some severe
accusations were made against me and which
/ am bound to answer. l refer especially to
the remark Of the venerable Mr.. Simpson
and concurred in by Mr.. Bedell
and Mr.. Hitler. I am charged with
having wantonly neglected the city's bust
ness and of giving improper advice. l DEFY
any member of this board to substantlate
that charge. Again, l am accused of using
the influence of the Office in a manner adj
verse to the city's interests. In reply to that
/ can say that it has been my misfortune,
to lose SO few cases of the city's in the courts
that the charge is nonsensical."
And so Mr.. Edwards continued taking ex-
ceptlon to the charge of not giving proper
attention TO the city's suits. He cited as an
illustration of the fact that he did attend to
his duties, the famous South Cove, which he
won in all the courts in which the case was
tried, except the United States Court,
where the case is now pending. In reply to
the charge that clerk and assistants In his
office had been benefited under the provision
OF the Martin act relative to the service OF
notices on d~elinquentS, he stated that some
one had to do the work and that before any
one in his office had any connection with the
work. he had endeavored to get others to do
it, but failed. He also demonstrated the
fact that his management of the Martin act
affairs had resulted in bringing into the
city thousands of dollars which otherwise
would never have been collected.
HUNG THEIR HEADS IN SHAME.
"Now, gentlemen" he concluded, II do
not object to decent, fair criticism, but be-
cause the different departments of the gov
ernment don't agree on certain matters, l
do not think it is fair for any one to put
speeches in mouths defaming former asso-
GATES
Mir. Edwards asked any member of the
board to attempt to substantiate the charges
made against him and concurred in by
Messrs. Hitler and Bedell. Not a man
looked Mr.. Edwards in the face. Every head
hung down in shame, while nervous fingers
toyed with bits of paper as Mr.. Edwards
rebuke to them was clearly pronounced; de
received no answer from ~ one. They
were afraid to reply, as s lso the gentle
man who, it is said, rep Mi. simpsons
composition.
pETwILLER WON'T B-RINKERHOFF.
Mr.. Brinkerhoff advised the board that
the course pursued by the Street and Water
Board in accepting from the Pennsylvania
Railroad a 81, 900 water meter in lieu OF a
water bill to the same amount was illegal,
He declared that the board had no right to
barter water for a meter, and that the conf
panY would have to pay the $1,000 to the
city. Subsequently a resolution was offered
nonconcurring in the agreement made by the
Street and Water Board. Mr.. Detw1ller
refused to vote for the resolution because it
was drawn in compliance with the opinion
of a mar whom he did not recognize as the
CORPORATION Counsel. At the same time Mr..
Detwiller explained that the first time he
voted to pay Messrs. Brinkerhoff and Erwin
their salaries it was in order to permit city
employees to get, their money. The board
directed Mr.. Erwin to find out what city
cases were on the court calendars, and to re-
port them at once. I
Adjournment was then taken until next
Wednesday.
GUppRESSED OPINIONS