The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-02-14

IedSOH, WAllc ObucIS Chilli tldU JOuf DOdIu3
although supposed to be working in harmony
with me and for the welfare of my admins
t~ration, has come to the parting of the ways
on n mere question of patronage. Either
impression is unfortunate, especially in view
OF its effect upon the legislation which the
people of the city hope to see speedily en-
acted.
But, unfair as these appointments are to
the present incrmbents, they are still more
unfair to me. Under our present system the
Mayor comes more in contact with the city's
lawyers than with any other official; they
are in a measure his confidential advisers
and in many instances his medium of com
munication with the other Boards. In fact,
your Board has comparatively little to do
with them, much less than the Boards and
officers performing the ministerial duties of
the city from day to day. This fact, after
my experience of ten months, was so i'm
pressed upon me at the time of the organiza-
tion of your Board that it made me very
careful to protect myself in that regard,
which did by obtaining, as | thought. a
clear understanding between myself and at
least four members of YOU Board that no
change should be made in these offices with
out consulting and agreeing with me. In
fact, SO clear was this understanding so far
as the political majority of your Board is
concerned, that l have spoken to the minor
ity in a different to what l other
wise would have. In April last, when you
organized, it was distinctly agreed that all
appointments made by me to you should be
promptly confirmed without regard to pol
itics and as fully as if the confirmatory leg
islation had never been enacted; and in so
far as such partisan legislation abridged my
powers, it was to be d~isregarded except pos
sibly as a matter of form. | was not con-
suited, and hence I'M not bound to accept
your appointments.
l have written thus fully SO that the public
may understand the situation electing be-
tween us. I have carefully read the public
prints containing your interviews inc those
of your ppointees, to ascertain what explain
alton or Justification existed for your sudden
action. Even the press could not obtain from
you any plausible explanation of your ac-
tion, and was compelled to suggest reasons
for individual and personal action to explain
the combined result. Upon such individual
reasons | nave 10 comment to make at this
time, | can only consider your official rea-
sons, and in the hope of obtaining them
send this veto. Under the law there can be
but one Mayor in Jersey City at one time SO
long as / am attending to my duty | think ]
know his name. The Board of Finance is re-
sponsible to that Mayor.
I think it is necessary to say this because
the people of Jersey City enacted me as their
Mayor with a full appreciation of the indi-
yidual responsibility cast upon that officer by
the Charter of 1899. Thus far I have had to
bear the burden of the shortcomings of every
individual and department Of the city gov
ernment. The criticism, though severe, has
been wholesome. You nave seen fit to as
sumo a portion of that responsibility, and the
criticisms of your act and methods brought
daily to my notice form no inconsiderable
part in the sending of this paper. 1t you
persist in this assumption of my responsible
IT, - H.. -.o ~ - o,rr ~ ar.5foF 1Afnr
YOU must not feel annoyed if strained rela-
tions exist between us for the next few
months at least.
In Justice to Messrs. Brinkerhof and En-
win, 1 can only add that / now, and shall u
til the final determination Of this contro-
versy, continue my relations with the pres
emit law officers of the city as heretofore.
Yours respectfully,
PETER F. WANsER,
Mayor.
Mr.. Simpson moved that the above veto
of His Honor the Mayor be received.
The motion was adopted.
The following communication was pre-
scented and on motion of Mr.. Bedell re
ceived and ordered spread in full upon the
minutes:
New YORK, Feb. 2, 1894.
To the Members of the Board of Finance:
Gentlemen-My appointment by th'
Mayor to a membership in your Board ha:
been reversed by the Supreme Court of this
State, and I decline to prosecute any pro-
ceedings to review the action of that Cour
with respect to said appointment. l cannot
permit the Appellate Court to be used &c
continue me temporarily or otherwise in
public office which l am satisfactorily advised
7 box,a ~ lara1 r;ohf RI refoip regret RI
sever my relations with those whose official
and social companionship have made my
connection with your Board agreeable to me,
but l am impressed with the fact that the
retention of a public Office under a technica
right in the absence of a moral right is no
not only indicative of the want of self-re.
spect in him who attempts to retain such of
fee, but is contrary to the growing sentiment
of this city. which demands that Office hold
ing shall be restored to decency.
In parting from you l take with me ths
knowledge of your fearless and worthy en-
deavors to protect the city treasury and main
tain the city's credit. and l shall indulge il
the hope that Jersey City may long continue
the possessor of your valuable services in it.
most important branch of government.
Very truly yours,
john D. FRASER.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES.
The Committee on Finance, to whom was
referred the resolution of the Board OF Edu
cation adopted January II, 1894, requesting
that certain transfers be made reported rec
ommending the adoption of the following
resolution:
Resolved, That the CITY Comptroller be
and he is hereby instructed to make the fol
lowing transfers: 5000 IS from the account
of census, 1929, to account of books, sta
tionery, ETC., 1929; 1915. SO from accoun
i~anitors' salaries, 1929, to account gas
1S92.93 {, and $500. n from account teachers
salaries. 1928, to account of gas, 1929
Board of Education.
The report was received and the resolu
ton was adopted by the following vote, tn,
yeas and nays having been ordered anc
taken:
Yeas-President Hitler and Messrs. Be
dell and Simpsons.
Nays-None.
Absent-Mr. Detwiller-1.
From the Committee on Concurrent Reso
~lutions:
The Committee on Concurrent Resolution:
iSPSitIo lcSOuiliSAuihS lHC SVAt|uiiSASS A.
the following resolutions:
1. Ordering paid certain claims passec
June ID, 1892. December A. II and rs, 1898
and January s, 1894.
2, Awarding the contract 10 John Hop
kins for construction of a sewer in reservoi
avenue from twenty-five feet west of Web
ster avenue to Central avenue and through
Central avenue to and connect with sewer a
intersection of Central and Jefferson ave
nues.