New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-24
MAYOR WANSER THWARTED.
GOVERNOR WERTS NULLIF1ES HIS
EFFORTS TO PURIFY JERSEY
CITY POLITICS.
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE STATE RE-
VERSES THE FINDINGS AGAINST THE
rpEEr AND MATER ROARD-IN-

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE Of ihE oiAiH A'S
VERSES THE FINDINGS AGAINST THE
STREET AND WATER BoARD-IN-
pIGNATIoN ACROSS THE RIVER.
The effort made by Mayor Wanser to rid
Jersey City Of the Street and Water Board, which
hangs like a milestone about the municipal neck,
Endorsed. as 1t was by the hearty approval
of all good citizens. has been unified by the
action of Governor Werts, who reverses the
finding of Mayor Wanser sets aside the verdict
of removal and continues the members OF the
board i'm office There were eighteen charges
submitted to the Mayor nine by Frank y. Cole
and others involving malfeas ance, extravaganza
diversion of funds and the closing OF streets
for the benefit of railroad companies without
compensation to the city, and nine by Hugh
Leslie and others, which set forth that the board
had closed Pearl-st for the beneht OF the fehh-
sylvania Railroad, thus practically compelling
the complanants to suspend business because
they could not access to their premises
! These latter charges also contained other counts
but the charge in relation to Pearl-st. was the
principal grievance.
When Mayor Wanser heard the evidence ana
decided to remove the Board there was genera raj
rejoicing. and particularly among respectable
Democrats, who believed that the msdemean0Is
| of the Board OF Works were largely responsive
for the defeat OF their party in recent ioca anu
State elections. Governor Werts seems not 10
have shared their opinion. he believes that
| his party will be able to outlive the evll deeus
of its Board. In dealing with the question, COY
ernor Werts first reviews the law bearing on the
| subject his conclusion being that removal -
not d matter of discretion; that some unlthes
| must be. shown. In dealing with the charge oi
| Illegal eXpen iture in paying out money III con,
prevention of the law requiring contracts lor al
amounts over $500, the Governor says there Is
no proof that the payments In question were
1 rltr 10
did not receive all the benefit for which II paid.
Concerning the specific charge that s222o ~ was
paid for tagging at Beeville without auseIsis !,
| ment, in violation of the law cited ana OF which
| Mayor Wanser submitted evidence, Governor
Werts decides that the members of the board were
only guilty Of misrepresentation or niscohstrucil9 II
| of the terms of the law; but ne does not explain
| Why If they did misapprehend the law, they
were so careful to make all payments IN sums sums
| less than $500 so as to keep apparently WITHIN
! the limits Of the law.
! In regard to the misrepresentation of money
and the practice of allowing the chairman or a
| committee to order work without resolution or
any other sanction Of the board, the Governor
says he cannot find the statement is warrante y
| by the evidence. The Governor agrees WIN
| Mayor Wanscr that the commissioners were
| careless and their methods wrongful, Dut, Wnie
| q charge Of general incOmpetency or misconduct
might warrant removal, he cannot so remove
| them. because they were not so charged OF az
| raigned The Governor further decides that the
| commissioners did not misappropriate the license
| moneys devoted TO street repairs. because none
| Of the pavments for original paving, Dut
| for the repavng and repair Of streets which
| had already been paved. Mayor Wanser's opin-
| ion. based the evidence presented, was eA-
actly contrary to this In reference to the charge
| that the board had mismanaged the Water De.
| partment the Governor holds that the hnanciai
| statement presented cannot be accepted az EVIL
| dencc Il must be shown. he declares, that the
| apparent deficit was improper and the clear re-
| suit OF mismanagement or negligence Inc Gov
| ernor IN conclusion. says Mayor Wanser enter
| tanned several charges which were barred by the
| statute OF limitations
| The people Of Jersey City generally regard the
| o;iuion Of Governor Werts as n clever lawyer ,
| snccial plea In behalf Of corrupt board. whicn
| has brought dscredt upon its own party, as well
| rs tunn The city lshose affairs II misdrects
| There was nue.. Indignation expressed over IT,
| even among Democrats who have hitherto sus-
| tanned the ring not to speak OF those who nave
| endeavored to bring about an era or goou gov
eminent and political reform. II Is probable that
! Mayor Wanser and the men who have mace the
! charges will now bring the matter TO the at
| ttcution Of the Grand jury to the era tnat IL
NAV be fully Investigated by body when VIII
| not feel the necessity Of upholdinG the Demo
! cratic party and the ring which has made thar
| party so obnoxious in Jersey CITY ana huusoh
| 4,