Bridgeton pioneer., 1896-09-17
AT THE AIMS HOUSE.
The Usual Business of the Board Trans
acted Wednesday at That Insti-


ers are always interesting, but unusually
SO when held at the Cumberland County
Aims House.
Wednesday was pleasant day, and the
drive to the institution where are kept
the county needy, was enjoyable, and
when the visitors arrived there they were
delighted with the evident air of pros
perity surrounding everything. The
crops looked well. The place showed
how well it was looked after, and the
inmates were apparently enjoying their
position, and none of them desired to
make complaints.
Everything tended to demonstrate that
the place was in excellent shape and un-
der excellent care, and both Steward and
Stewardness Ogden were congratulated
upon the general appearance of things.
There were several prominent gentle
men present beside the Freeholders,
among them being Hon. Reuben Chees-
man, candidate for Sheriff; ex-members
Morris Bacon, Francis Reeves, r. B. FL
well, County Physician Thompson and
others. Several of the gentlemen were
accompanied by their wives.
The house was thoroughly inspected, as
was the sleek, well kept stock, the crops
growing in the broad fields, and the ceme-
terry. The latter has just been especially
looked after, and a very great improve
ment was noticeable. With the excep-
ton of two graves, those of Howard and
Ogden, who were hanged for murder, all
were marked with neat marble stones,
nicely lettered.
A most excellent and substantial dinner
was served by Mrs. Ogden, and ample
justice was done. The menu was elabor-
ate, and everything was arranged most
delightfully."-.
The Meeting.
When Director Harris sounded the
gavel, all members were present, and the
minutes of two previous meetings were
read and approved.
Then the bills were ordered paid. This
is departure from the rule of business,
but was done that Collector Garrison
might have opportunity to pay out his
money during the noon recess.
Various committees reported upon
bridge repairs, and these reports were in
every case accepted, and in some cases
the committees were discharged. having
completed their labors.
Mr.. White presented the agreement be-
tween the county and the South JERSEY
Traction Company, concerning the cross
ing of the Broad street bridge. The
agreement was entirely satisfactory, ex-
cepting it was thought that the company
should agree to put up guard railing if
the county demanded it. The agreement
was referred back after some debate for
this amendment.
Mr.. Richman reported that the con-
tract for the rebuilding of the Casper's
bridge was for $4s3.5O.
A petition was presented from Bridge
ton asking the Board to release from Jail
young man named Harry Given. His
offense was committed last February,
and there seemed to be no way to settle
the case. The Board of Freeholders has
no jurisdiction in these cases, but the
Board instructed the Committee on Dis
charge of Prisoners to recommend his
discharge to the Court.
Mr.. White then reported that the Jail
building committee had prepared a reso-
luton authorizing the bonding of the
County for $4,000, for the rebuilding of
the County Jail.
This resolution caused considerable de-
bate. Mr.. Garrison vigorously opposed
the matter of expending $4,000 upon the
Jail. He declared the times were too
hard, and the people could not stand ad-
ditional burden. He thought small
amount of money would do for tempor-
ary repairs.
MIR. Elwell also opposed the resolution.
lie was not opposed to Improvements,
but he did not believe in rebuilding the
present Jail. He thought that the county
should wait until such times when a
Court House and Jail could be built to-
gether.
Mr.. Richman did not want the Jail re-
built. He did not think it should be
built until new Court House was erect
ed. He took no stock in the argument
that the repairs could be made cheaper
now. He denied that labor was cheap at
present. In fact he challenged anybody
to point to time when wages were
higher. In fact, he declared, that wages
at present were too high.
Mr.. Fithian and Mr.. Cosier also raised
their voices against the Jail building pro-
ject.
Mr.. White, Leach and Ireland spoke
Tor the proposed improvement Mr..
Leach urged that the present Jail was un-
safe, and not creditable. Grand juries
mad condemned it, and the money spent
IN temporary repairs, was money thrown
away. He declared, in opposition to Mr..
Rlchman, that labor was cheap, far
cheaper than it should be, and hoped
would ever be again. He believed that
the proposed improvements could be
made now much cheaper than ever be-
fore,