New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-15
THEY MAY BECOME CITIES.
NEW LAW TO PERMIT BOROUGHS TO
CHANGE THEIR CHARACTER.

THE PRESENT SYSTEM CONCEDED TO BE IN.
sATIsFAcToRY-soME OF THE SALIENT FEA-
TUREs or THE BILL WHICH WILL BE
PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATURE.
Recent decisions Of the Supreme Court have left
many of the boroughs OF New-Jersey in an un-
satisfactory condition that the Legislature viii be
asked TO permit them organize as cities Coun-
Gilman Harvey OF Asbury Park, has drawn a bill
intended for that purpose. IT Is permissive ana
! may be adopted by such boroughs or sections OF
townships may deem it suited to their con-
dltions.
The measure is entitled, IAN act authorizing any
township part thereof containing population
of not less than $500 inhabitants to be incorporated
as city after vote of the people. and providing
for the government of such Cities
II this biz becomes Jaw the first step to be
taken under 1t consists in the presentation OF
petition to the Freeholder representing the town
ship in which the proposed municipality is situated
This petition must describe the boundaries The
Freeholder shall ra special election. Then III
shall b. the duty of the council. township commit
tee or other governing body of such township or
part thereof to divide such city into not less than
TWO wards. each to consist of contiguous territory
and to contain nearly possible an equal num-
Der Of Inhabitants
The city and ward officers shall he a mayor.
board Of council consisting Of one councilman from
each ward. ana three councilmena large. clerk re-
crlNcr OF taxes. treasurer. attorney, assessor,
corlor. commissioners OF appeal consisting of one
member from each ward. overseer of the poor, one
or moro city surveyors one or more poundkeepers
chief Of police, chief engineer Of the fire depart
ment, constable in each ward, street commits
soncr and such number OF justices Of the peace
the city may be entitled to under the Constitu-
ton. II any city which this act apples
shall have population exceeding 1900 there shall
be- two councimen and one assessor from each
ward"
The people shall elect the mayor. councmen
clerk. collector assessor constables and commits
soncrs OF appeal The council is vested with
power TO app,in, the treasurer attorney re-
corIcr. health Inspector. overseer Of the poor.
chief Of police. city surveyor and the minor oii-
Gals. Members Of the FIRE department may elect
the chief Salaries are to be paid by ordinances
passed by the council.
The council shall have power 70 pass ordinances
to raise money by taxation and make appropra-
lions for the following purposes: Lighting the
streets OF tn, city, support OF the police depart
ment. maintenance OF the fire department. resu-
iatng. cleaning ana keeping in repair streets. high
ways and sidewalks, additions or repairs to public
buildings relief of the poor ana sick. water for the
extnguishment Of fires. payment Of interest upon
the deb, OF the city and such part Of the principal
as shall from time to time become due and pay
able. sinking fund required or decned advlsaDic TO
be raised, general and incidental expenses or tnc
city. including thf printing ana puD,cb''on b or
public schools. protection and maintenance OF tnf
health Of the city. support Of an emergency nos
pital for contagious diseases. dranag" ana repair
OF drainage systems, also for sewerage purposes In
cities owning and operating public sewerage sys-
TENS: providing funds to meet any note bona or
otter obligation Oi the city maturing in any year
and not. otherwise provided for by law or the
ordinances % the city. and regulating. maintaining
ana protecting public grounds and parks.
The method OF making ana charging for public
works or improvements is thus provided ior ION
the petition in writing 10 the council by the owners
Of onesiXth Of IN" lands fronting on the street pro
posed 20" improved. such Application or petition
must Doe advertised two weeks. ana a nearing WIZ
r. given those who want to protest AGAINST the i'm
gro.euent. II Il ap9.ars that the owners OF
ID tforty Of "a" land ilonfng ON such proposed I'M
rfov,fr,nt have objected thereto. sucn improve
mont shall not Dee maGs and all costs and expenses
Incurred shall Poe paid by tnc petitioners. II TIE
owners of 4 majority OF the lands fronting on TN"
proposed lmpr1y, have not objected thereto
Council may. lu Bass discretion. determine NOT 10
make such Improvement. 1t is provided thai a."
'ut.rr cost n improvements must be paid Tor ny
th. petitioners
Thr adoption Of this or SOM similar measure;
lv such places Is Ashury Park. Long }ranch ana
lakewood Will give them control Of The licensing
~ saloors Tho importance OF this IL illustrated
hy nm. fac: that the ocean County Court recently
GRANTED "A saloon license FOR Lakewood in spite of
he protests u The people and the police. and IN"
same thing Is likely TO occur At any time In oihe!