The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-03-29
CODIFYINd The LAW
Multiplicity Of Borough Bills
Puzzles the Municipal
Lawyers.
Specfal to the Jerseu Catu Nesrs.

TRENTON, March 20. 1895.-No less
tina a hundred bills were introduced in
the Legislature this year relating to the
boroughs, which are constantly increas-
ing N umber all over the State. So
many changes are made in the law every
year that lawyers are unable to keep
track of them. and SO many complaints
have been made that there has been some
talk of a commission to codify the Dor
ough laws into one Ineligible act. The
expense that the State was put to in get
ting the laws relating to towns and
townships into a single act has discour-
aged further action of this nature.
There are more han a hundred bor-
oughs of more or less Importance that
are affected by the dozen or more bills
which became laws at this session. Prob
ably one of the most important of these
new laws is Senator Goulds; which gives We
to b%oroughs formed under the act of 1873
a separate autonomy from the township
of which they were formerly a part. IN
der the old law, these boroughs voted Tor
township officers, and they were more or
less under the control of the township
committees; but under the new law they
have no right. to vote tor any township
officer nor for any township appropria-
ton. They are empowered to elect with
in themselves justices of the peace, con-
stables, etc. The term Of the mayor Is
eXleIluSu 10 uWO a iC Z ttN
borough nave the right to vote upon the
amount of money necessary for all ega
purposes in any way connected With the
h has a population oI u lat Of $500 It is entitled to
representation In the Board OF Freehoio-
ers.
Anew law, fathered by Assemblyman
%election FOR the formatfon Of a borough
shall be ordered unless the petition for
+bo \ ~, m shall he signed Dy persons
owning at least one-half in value Of the
taxable real estate in the limits of the
proposed borough, and II the porougn Is
must be signed by at least one-half In
value of the real estate In each township.
This is to stop the wholesale FORMATION
Of borOughs when mas peen going Oh Aoi
a year or two.
Another law from the same hand re-
peals the section of the act OF 1884 which
permits boroughs to elect a separate
freebooter and terminates the ONCE OF
any such freeholder on the second wed
nesday in May. This applies 70 porougns
section enacts tina where a borough EN-
braces part of more than one township,
the voter shall be entitled to vote for
chosen freebooter for the township IN
which a majority Of the legal voters re-
side In case of any dispute as to WHICH
township the ~freeholder shall belong. the
A law coming from Mr.. Francis. of
Monmouth, authorizes incorporated Dor
ough commissions to pass 70
regulate the construction and repairs OF
sidewalks and to provide for the pay
ment for the SANG
a law by Mr.. Ross, of Cape May. re-
yves the act Of 1890 and permits Dor
oughs organized hereunder to act. This
applies to communities of 200 population
and 800. 900 worth Of real estate. A com,
rpanion law val.dates all contracts and
other acts of boroug1s excepted from the
effect of the repeating act.
Al law which Senator Herbert, OF Mid
dlesex. urged, changes the name OF Dor
ough commissions to "boroughs."
To still further complicate the borough
system. a law has been passed. at the re-
quest of Senator Rogers. of Camden
which permits any borough to change
from one form of government, to another
with greater powers and privileges inns
can be lone by fifty citizens making APP
plication to the mayor and governing
body, whereupon the later are Obliged to
order an election to decide upon the
law offered by Senator W.n.on, Of
Bergen, requires the collector of taxes In
any borough. when requested by the
MAYOR and common council, to render an
account of all moneys collected by him.
Mr.. Matlack, of Bergen, succeeded in
getting through a law which ahrogates
entirely the authority of township
ofjeers over any city created from that
Township. Such cities are given com
plete autonomy of Their own,