The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-02
THE NEWARK JUNKET.
Some Reflections Pertinent to TOnight's
Meeting Of Councils.

The attention of the citizens of Car
bOndale Is called to a question or the
utmost Importance. which Will engage
the attention of the joint councils or
the city tonight-that of awarding the
contracts to the bidders for the con-
struction of bridges to span the Lacka-
wanna at Salem, Sixth and Eighth ave-
nues. 1t has been reported that the
bids We're opened Tuesday night, and
four Of them reserved for future con-
sideration. One of the local evening
papers in its report of the proceedings.
even made the astounding announce
ment and expressed its surprise, that
Mayor Hendrick was present and dis
played an unusual activity in assisting
City Engineer Frick with the figures.
with the result already mentioned.
BE that as ii may, il is important
that citizens should see that the bond
issue of $4,000 for bridges and sewers
be not exceeded under any considera-
ton. Take the Melan bridge, praised
and advocated by the mayor. the lowest
estimate that of Glare 4 Co., of New
York, for the three bridges, gives total
bid of so, lis. which with the sewer eX-
tension part of the bond issue $l4.OOo.
would involve the city in an additional
liability of $S,l1S Taking the lowest
estimate on the street bridges, that Of
the Owego company at SIZES. the total
councilmen of Carbondale need to prac-
tice economy in the administration of
its affairs. Sir Bulwer Lytton said:
Never treat money with levity, money
is character" and what Is true person.
ally. can be applied as we'll to official
duties.
1t appears to US that the councils
have displayed want of forethOught
and a spirit of waste by the determina-
finn "A rn,,lD... h.. Sixth ~ hIiHyt.
which is in the worst state of repair
and Is subjected to the most traffic. But
there is said IT, be 4 reason for this de-
cision. Rumor Is current that the in
iiuence of the mayor and his lieutenant,
Alderman Jones, was exercised upon
councils because of their vested inter-
est in the property of the Anthracite
hotel, which will greatly enhance In
value by the substitution of d wide
bridge, despite the fact that this bridge
is not very much used by vehicles and Is
yet in Il fair state of repair. II this re-
port he true, what must We think Of
the actions of these people? II ii he
false how shall We account for the un-
usual interest of the mayor and his
side partner, the alderman, in the bid
Of Clark Il Co. followed by the care
fully advertised generous" junketing
trip of picked councilmen tn Newark, ut
the mayors own expense? Sgk
the mayors own EXPENSE" An an
alysis of tn" deputa,ion will show that
with the exception of the mayor and
the city engineer. its members pos
Sessed very vague notions of bridge
construction. Many regard the visit to
Newark as wholly unnecessary. The
junketer might have spent few
hours to advantage inspecting the cele-
brat-d Eighth avenue bridge. Il marvel
to all engineers who have visited our
city, and Il structure which displays
the highest mechanical and technical
knowledge on the part of the engineer
who constructed it. 1t cannot, there
fore. be wondered that the other coun-
cilmen fail to understand the mayors
special preference for his five invited
guests, and are still wondering why
they themselves received no bid to at
tend the Newark junket. They need
not. how ever. be surprised. The agents
of the ring know very well whom to
nurse with an eye to future use.
Is there "A reason for this great eag-
erness of the mayor to create the inn
preston that he has the city's interests
deeply at heart and that at a monetary
and personal sacrifice he Is anxious to
serve it? Is 1t because he wishes to
divert attention from his part in de-
feating the Republican city ticket at
the last election?
Citizens will do we'll to see that their
representatives are vigilant in the fur
therance of the citys best interests.
The Traction company and the munich
pal building ring are ever alive to their
own being. Therefore let the pub
lie see that its liberties are not further
encroached upon as has been the case
on the bridges question.