Bridgeton pioneer., 1895-09-19
VOL. XLvII.
BOARD OF FREEHOLDERS.
The Investigating Committee Finish Their
Labors, but Find No Criminality
Against officers.


performed important business, for the
county and much of it for the City of
Bridgeton.
The question of Broad street bridge
was settled before the noon adjournment,
and from every appearance there will be
a handsome structure erected across the
Cohansey river, and not before it was
needed. The Bridgeton members well
represented their constituents, and were
very ably seconded in their efforts by
Mr.. Bacon, of Greenwich. With the ex-
ception of four members, the Board real
lied that the present structure was I'M
safe and not OF character needed at such
an important place.
The designs and plans furnished by
various builders showed the excellent
judgment of the committee. The plans
of Dean q Westbrook appears to be just
what is most needed. It is a deck bridge,
and handsome and most substantial
one, and considerably wider than the
present structure.
The committee will proceed immedi-
ately to the advertising for bids under
the plans and specifications, and work is
likely to be commenced soon, and this
great improvement will not cost the
county the sum of $4,000, and the struc-
ture will stand as $4,000 bridge.
In the afternoon the Board got down to
business first by taking up the report of
the committee on Investigation of Coro-
ner's bills. The Investigating Committee
showed that the overcharge in the bills
by Coroners and including fees for County
Physician amounted to about S400. The
Committee had no recommendation to
make, Mr.. Dare, the chairman desiring
to have the committee appointed and
somebody else collect the money.
Mr.. Richmond moved that the COM
mittee collect the money. This motion
did not prevail, Mr.. Dare. strenuously
objecting
Mr.. Leach moved that the committee
be discharged, and this motion prevailed.
Later this matter came mp again. Mr..
Cosier had a constable's bill that he
wanted paid and remark was made that
some time this bill might turn up in the
hands of an investigating committee.
This caused Mr.. Cosier to ask what was
to be done about the overcharges of the
Coroner's fees, and finally he made a
motion authorizing the County Collector
to collect all overcharges from Coroners.
The motion was seconded after some
time by Mr.. Dare.
This caused Mr.. Bacon to make one of
the most impassioned and eloquent adj
dresses that has been heard in any meet
ipu of tho RoarJ fo,. va,rc EIo sold tbot
when he offered the resolution bringing
the Investigating Committee in existence,
he did not believe that the result would
startle the people
For years and years this Board of Free
holders has elected County Physician,
and after time the Legislature passed a
County Physician act which was not
known by the Board until 1890. Then
arduous duties were imposed upon the
County Physician, and the salary allowed
him for medical services was not COM
mesurate with the added work.
The Board of Freeholders without
dissenting voice believed that there
should be added remuneration, and for
years allowed it, the bills offered being
honestly made for services actually rem
dered and these bills were honestly ap-
proved by Auditing Committee, and
finally paid by the Board without dis
senting voice. Now it is asked for re-
turn of this money, owing to discovered
technicality.
Suit must be brought against several
men who have honestly performed their
work, and for $410.40 the county would
probably pay out more than twice that
much. He claimed that it was unjust
and not in line with fairness and equity
and urged that the motion would not pre-
vail, and before the gentleman resumed
his seat, he moved that inasmuch as the
coroners had performed the service for
which they had been paid, and the bills
properly audited and paid without dis
senting voice, that the motion of Mr..
Cosier he laid upon the table, and this
motion prevailed. Elwell, Townsend.
Cosier, Dare and Richmond voting in
the negative.
On motion the daughter of Smith Ware
now confined in the State Hospital for
insane, was accepted by the Board as
county patient.
Mr.. Pagan was authorized to. call
committee of three, beside himself, and
proceed to repair the bridge in Port
Norris.
A large number of bills were ordered
paid.
A bill of Daniel Simpkins, Constable,
for S6.25 was referred back for approval
of the Prosecuting Attorney.
The Board adjourned to meet at the call
of the Director to hear report of the
Bridge Committee.
In Your Blood
Is the cause of that tired feeling which affcts you
at this season. The blood is impure, and has be-
come thin and poor That is why you have no