Smyrna times., 1894-03-21
The Organization of the Town Board.

Our Town election is usually at
tended with issues of some sort more or
less distinct, and while this year af-
forded such opportunity, no previous
election was so enigmatical as the one
this month. A large number of those
who voted (besides those whoOped up)
did not know the ultimate result of
their ballot, and some of the heaviest
property holders did not vote at all.
There were currents and under cur
rents not visible 10 the average ballot
depOsitOr because set in motion by per-
sonal interests, the outcome of which
could not be fully promised. From the
statements of candidates, volunteered,
before the election, there was no hOstil-
ity to the old Board, as Officered, and
it was not until afterwards that the
spirit of two years ago came to the sur
face.
The organization was not until last
Wednesday night, giving ample time
| for reflection, the slate however, as
| freely talked on the street being J. G.
Robinson, for President. To make a
change, however, the candidate would
have to vote for himself and when the
time came. after some delay, William
| FAIRIES was put in nomination, followed
by that of John H. HofIecker, the vote
standing FAIRIES, 4, Hoffecker, 3, blank
l, the first named having the majority
vote.
What transpired Immediately after,
calls for a minute of the old Board a
few weeks proceeding the election.
The limit of the law in pledging the
credit of the town, $4,000, had been
reached but more dynamic power was
needed for the plant to be effective in
meeting the demands of the town-the
latter being beyond their calculations.
The town could not be pledged until
the next session of the Legislature, and
the only way to meet the popular de-
mand was to borrow the money on in
dividual responsibility, In this di-
lemma, Mr., Hoffecker, the President OF
the Board on the assurance of the Others
that there would be enough hold-overs
to control the Board ( Mr.. Robinson re-
marking that four could Outvote three
all the time,) put his individual note in
bank for $4,000, three of the members
, and one outsider endorsing the note.
, Knowing that this and all Other
bonded monies had to be dispensed By
the President Ia fact which those who
aspired to the Office seemed not tc
r know he arose and stated the fact, hi
responsibility as principal for note o.
t $4,000 which was thus placed beyonC
: his control, that as a business man h,
could not go it thus blindly, that h,
should return to the bank the unex
/ pended part and demanded the pay
a ment OF the disRpFsed amount, abou
81, 10000, without delay, that he coulC
not trust men who would thus breal
a faith in positive agreement by plaC
: ing this money at the disposal of on
= who had agreed to thus borrow bu
:. would not enter into the Endorsement
e He then rendered his resignation as
n member of the Board, followed in lik
a manner by VIM. A. FAIRIES and VIM. NJ
q Lewis, the three starting to leave tn
4 room but halted for an explanation
r and parley by the four remaining onei
/, The two new members, John Cosgri
r and II. d. Boyer, declared they had n
e knowledge of any previous compact i
o securing and dispensing funds or the
y should not have voted as they did. Tn
q four at this point seemed to be willn
,r to do anything to effect an organizatio
T. with full board, and rescinded th
8 action they had taken to come to thii
o Mr.. HolfeckeP hesitated for sometim
i and was on his feet second time
le go,and yielded only because the cours
v. he felt like taking might embarrass Ii
o. town in the hands of new and inel
perienced officers. The result W,
reached in efTectng the organizatio
kwv -. H.. IN i
IN president by acclamatiOn, which r
y ceived the four votes cast for Farie
y the three members who had tendere
So their designations remaining silent. WI
A. FAIRIES was made Secretary in
10 similar way. The news of the on
AT come was received with interest an
rs amusement,and was compared by son
y to the solution Of the 10 puzzle.
r' The following are the standing con
~ mittees appointed at the last meetlr
y for the ensuing year;
n Street Committee-Jas. @. Robinso
q | VIM. M. Lewis and WIN. FAIRIES
re- Electric Light Committee--The who
- Board.
Fire Apparatus-John Cosgrih, II.
Boyer and VIM. Lewis
Opere House Committee-H ID. Boy
VIM. A. FAIRIES and John Cosgrif.
VIM. A. FAIRIES was appointed chairman
- this Committee, in which place he
" served for IL years, but was relieved at
ot own request.
", Town Lot Committee-W NJ. Lew
srs Water COmmitte6-Wm M. Low
ch VIM. Faries John Cosgrif and II.
Boyer.
Sewerage-A special Committee Y
nominated by a member and elected by
OF majority OF the Board composed Of Jas.
err Robinson (Chairman, John Il. HolFeclx
VIM. A. FAIRIES and Wm FAIRIES.