The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-03-02
DESPERATE GAME.
Finance Commissioners Vote
to Prolong the Corpora
tion Counsel Middle.
WANSER'S VETO IGNORED.
Long Speeches by Brinkerhoff
Read by Simpson, Bedell
and Hitler.
DETWILLER'S MANLY COURSE.
He Stands by the Mayor-The
Salary Grab Still
Blocked.
DETWILLER'S MANLY COURSE.

The Board of Finance yesterday afternoon
passed this resolution:-"That all further ac-
ton in regard to the communication from
his Honor the Mayor to this board, dated
January II, 1894, in relation to the appoint
ments by this board on December 81, 1893,
of William Brinkerhoff as Corporation
Counsel, and James S. Erwin as Corporation
Attorney, be indefinitely postponed, or, in
other words, the board told Mayor Wanser
to mind his own business. While President
George R. Hitler, Reuben Simpson and
Alva A. Bedel voted ''aye" on this resolu-
ton, Mr.. Jacob J. Detwiller was the only
one of the four who supported the Mayor
and voted 'no."
That Mr. Detwiller should do this is Curl
Gus, remembering the fact that he endorsed
by letter the conspiracy of December last,
wnen the attempt was made to remove
Messrs. w. D. Edwards and Spencer Weart
with such scant courtesy. But Mr.. Detwil-
Ter. as he explained, then acted from a mis-
taken sense of the law, and now, seeing his
error, remained faithful to the Mayor who
appointed him.
Prior to yesterday everybody interested in
the issue between the Mayor and the Board
O1 Il I1dASO 04Ah Iva ~
guessing as to what Mr.. Detwiller would do
In reference to His Honors veto. Mr.. Det-
willer was then in Florida. Since his return
a few days G he has been besleged by
friends taking both sides of the struggle to
vote their way, and while these friends were
against the veto, g remarkable state OF
things in the Republican camp has been re-
vealed.
MANY IN THE DEAL.
Hardly had Mr.. Detwiller settled himself
on his return to his nome In Greenv1lle, when
a specially appointed committee of the
Minkakwa Club, the First District Repub-
Ican Club, called on him, and urged him to
stand by those who favored the appointment
of Messrs. Brinkerhoff and Erwin. Were
not Mr.. Detwiller and Mr.. Erwin fellow
members of the Republican party and the
Minkakwa Club, and should not he (Mr. Det-
willer) support Mr.. Erwinl was the principal
argument used; but Mr.. Detwiller read to
the deputation a copy OF a letter ne had just
sent TO Mayor Wanser explaining his con-
duct in the first instance and assuring him
that at the last stage OF the game ne would
not desert him. That Greenville committee
withdrew, breathing anathemas on Mr..
Detwiller's head. Scarcely had they gone
when Sheriff Toffey, Edward w. Woolley,
Chairman of the Republican County Com
miutee, and ex-Alderman Simeon b. Smith
rang Mr.. Detwiller's bell and were ushered
III. 1ulS Ill IL duS dlCO AOA -ApAS vi
ference with Mr.. Detwiller. But it is not
known which side of the fence they were on.
ANY way, he said that when he voted on De-
cember ri for the ousting of Messrs. Edwards
and Weart he thought the board
had a right to do SO. Now, however,
since the Mayor had vetoed that action he
thought it the duty of the board to work in
harmony with the Mayor and not aggravate
the situation The three Republican leaders
pointed out the necessity of checking the
Mayor, and limited at other things mighty
interesting if one could nave heard all of
them; but all to no purpose. MIR. W
told them fatty that he would uphold the
Mayor, and his visitors withdrew thorough
ly~ disappointed. Then this poor Mr.. Detwil-
Ter was badgered and baited by some of his
colleagues until he heartily wished the board
was located at the North Pole. In spite OF
their pleadings, promises and threats, he
could not be shaken In his determination.
THEIR PLANS.
Finding him opposed to them the remain
ing commissioners prepared their plans for q
blow at the Mayor, The first thing to be
done was to procure legal opinion to support
interfere in the appointments. Accordingly
President Hitler wrote to Counsellor Wash
ington B. Williams, and that gentleman for
warded in reply a long opinion, citing cases
by the score in their favor. Then Mr.. Simp-
son asked ex-Judge Garretson for his legal
views on Dl6 matter, dlQ bUlS olSU1LSulouCd
lawyer upheld their action, Juggling In cases
reported by Vroom as a warranty for their
conduct. Now, to present their own side OF
the case before the board and the public MI.
William Brinkerhoff then took a hand, and
prepared a long typewriter defence to be
read by Mr.. Simpson and speeches endorsing
the same to be severally read by Messrs.
Simpson and Beden at the board meeting
yesterday.
prepared, to the EUeniag Journal, with the
request that they appear when they. were
presented. The "Back Number thinking
It was doing a smart thing and with Its
accustomed stupidity, had the letters pub
lished before they were read, thus charm
ingly letting the cat ont of the bag.
With type written copies of the speeches,
prepared in Mr.. Brinkerhoffs office, in their
pockets the three members of the board,
Messrs. Hitler, Simpson and Bedell, entered
the board room precisely at four o'clock
yesterday afternoon.
AS workmen were papering the offices
the commissioners held their adjourned
meeting in the Tax Commissioners office In
the AlderInanic Chamber. President Hitler
was the first to arrive and he was quickly
followed by Mr.. Alva A. Bedell. Before the
arrival of Messrs. Reuben Simpson and
Jacob J. Detwiller, that elratic genius b.
Tunis Mclaughlin came into the Office
asad for a quarter of an hour uttered one
of his characteristic t1raueS against every
BODY and everything, and all because a piece
of property on Montgomery street and Der
gen avenue had not been taxed. When the
1 remaining commissioners arrived, followed
nv Messer. w. Brinkerhoff and James. s.
Erwin, Mr.. Mclaughlin, clapped his hat on
his head, muttered something about swelied
beaded people who put frills on and grind
drugs; growled out, "good day." and left
the Chamber, banging Che door after him.
MEETING ALLED TO ORDER.
Mr. Rrinkerhof took the seat on the LETT
of President Hitler, while Mr.. Erwin sat
AMONG q dozen curious spectators in the
lobby. At a signal from the President, he
antefed the space inside the rail, and occupied
a chair near his Greenv1lle friend, Mr..
Detwiller. After the roll was called, MI.
DetwiIler said he wished to rise to a question:
If privilege. and was about to say something
further. when President Hitler cut him
short by saying that he could be heard When
new business came W. Then a nice little
farce was played. Mr.. Bedel moved thai
Sic communication of the Mayor reiatlye TO
fine appointments of Messrs. BrlnkerhoI ana
Erwin. the veto, in fact, be taken up ana
read.
MI. Simpson, then pulling out his type
written speech, prepared, as be1ofeSald, ny
Mr.. Brinkerhoff, read first the extracts IRON
the act of April 8, 1880, Concerning the
Gnva,nment of Cities in This State" He
o,,oted Sections One and Two relating to
annointments of municipal officers and tnen
Owed into history of the appointments o.
December "a. He read Mr. Detw1lleT's htIer
"a fhe board on that occasion, which letter
snnroved of the selection Of Messrs. Brlnker-
spfY and Erwin as law officers to the city:
TIC MAYORS action was next reviewed and q