Bridgeton pioneer., 1895-07-18
BOARD OF FREEHOLDERs.
A Committee Appointed to Investigate the
Matter of Coroner's Fees and
Expenses---Wi There be
Bridge at Broad
Street? ?

Wednesday morning at the Aims House
and the result was a session of consider
able interest.
There were few people present except the
members of the Board, and the day was
most pleasantly spent. Steward Ogden,
who has been passing through severe
affiiction, met each member of the Board
and gave them a very warm welcome.
During the session in the morning the
Steward made very pleasant address to
the members, and requested them to go
over the house, visit the out-buildings,
view every acre of the farm, and look
over the live stock.
This the members did, and there was
admiration expressed from all for the
excellent manner in which things were
kept. The growing crops were in splen-
did shape, and the live stock were the
very finest.
The dinner was given with considerable
elaboration, and was much enjoyed by
everybody.
When the meeting was called to order,
all members were present with Director
Harris presiding.
After the approval of the minutes of the
last session, the Board proceeded to busi
ness. Mrs. Elizabeth Eldridge was re-
lieved from her liability in supporting
her husband at the State Hospital for In
sane, and he becomes county patient
Coroner Sites presented a long type
written letter to the Board, in which he
stated he had received from the Board
carriage hire which he felt satisfied did
not belong to him, consequently he desir-
ed to clear his conscience, and asked that
his bills be placed in the hands of the So
licitor< that any illegal fees should be de-
termined.
The communication was received and
filed.
| This opened the way for Mr.. Bacon, of
Greenwich, and he presented the follow
| ing preamble and resolutions:
| WHEREAS, Certain charges and allega-
| tions having been made that money! has
| been paid out of the County Treasury,
| by order of the Board of Freeholders,
upon bills that were Illegally rendered
under oath or Affirmation; and
WHEREAS, These charges allege that the
| various coroners of this county at divers
I
many cases contained items that were
| illegal, and consequently should not
have been paid; and
| WHEREAS, This Board of Freeholders
is not only willing but anxious that a
| full, thorough and critical examination
| OF all bills that have been paid by Or
| der of the Board shall be inquired into,
to the end, that justice, equity and law
shall be respected. Therefore,
Resolued, That committee of three,
consisting of Smith Dare, George Reeves
and John B. Garrison be, and are hereby
| Coroners' and County Physicians bills
from March lst, 1888 to May 9th, 1895;
that they shall confer with the Solicitor
OF this Board in regard to the legality of
the charges in said bills, and in accord
ance with his opinion, upon questions"
OF law, they shall render to this Board a
clear, concise and impartial report OF
their Investigations at our next regular
meeting.
ResolUed, That the Solicitor be request
ed to give the committee such legal infor-
nation bearing upon the subject under
investigation as may be in his power.
| ReSotUed, That the County Collector
also be requested to render any assist
ance that may be of advantage to the
committee, or give information that may
in any way help them in their work.
| NORRIS BACON
| The resolution was unanimously
agreed to-
| A resolution by Mr.. Bacon, authorizing
a safe place for the papers of the County
Collector, was passed.
Mr.. Reeves reported repairs of Maur-
lcetown bridge complete, and bills be-
fore the Board. The report was received
! and committee discharged.
Mr.. White reported progress in the
matter OF fitting up room at the Court
House for the use of Freeholders.
On motion of Mr.. Bacon, the committee
was relieved from further performance
OF that work. Mr.. Bacon opposed the
proposition, and it will not be made.
Mr.. Elwell, of this city, called attention
to the lack of fire escapes on the Aims
House, and on motion of Mr.. Bacon, the
Trustees were authorized to have them
placed thereon.
A large number of bills were ordered
paid. One bill of Coroner Sites was re-
fused payment, as it had not been or
dered by the County Physician.
Mr.. White, for the Committee, made
an exhaustive report concerning the
Broad street bridge. 1t had been
thoroughly inspected, and is not con-
sldered safe for heavy carting. Mr..
Whites committee suggested that new
draw be erected, and that the Traction
Company might be permitted to pay a
share for the privilege of usiug it with
the cars.
Mr.. Bacon moved that the report be ac-
authority to employ competent engineer
to make estimate for bridge such as need
ed, sub-structure and superstructure,
also to authorize the solicitors to confer
with Secretary of War, in reference to
widening the bridge, and further to con-
Ter with the Traction Company in re-