The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-02-01
FREEBOOTER CIRCUS
Joint Hudson and Essex
Bridge Committee Clash
Over Offices.
Mr.. RIoRDAN MADE CHAIRMAN
Mr.. Reinhart Of Newark Votes
With Hudson and Secures
an Appointment.
Mr.. RIORDAN MADE CHAIRMAN

M
The joint committee appointed. from the
Hudson and Essex Boards of Freeholders
to look after the building of the new
bridge across the Passaic River met in
Newark Friday night. Trouble was ex-
pected over the selection of a chairman,
and there was some difficulty about it,
but 1t was mild when compared with the
clash that came later, on the appointment
of an Inspector to supervise the work on
the Essex side of the proposed bridge.
In committee is made up of ten MEM
bers, five coming from Hudson and five
from Essex county. The Hudson men are
Freeholders Riordan, McNally, Deitz. Me-
Comb and Stuhr. while Messrs. Hammel,
Heinkel, Reinhard, Dean and Mueller rep
resent Essex. All were present when
the meeting was called to order. Mr.. Rior-
dan~was selected as temporary chairman.
He explained that the committee had met
to organize and then he called for nomi-
nations for chairman for the ensuing
year.
Gentlemen" said Mr.. Mentally, ST
nominate Joseph Riordan.'
II nominate Mr.. Hammel," said Mr..
Reinhard.
t0 OluGI llOIlllllllOLS dllQ
theSballoting was commenced. On the
trst ballot only nine votes were cast. Mr..
Riordan got five and his opponent re-
ce1ved four. The chairman ruled that
the ballot was not good and called for
another one. 1t locke as though 1t
would be a tie vote and that Hudson
would cast five ballots solid for Mr.. Rior-
dan, while Mr.. Hammel would get a like
number from Essex. That meant a dead
lock n the fear that would never be
broken was expressed, but when the sec
SIX votes to Mr.. Hammel's four. That
was a genuine surprise. Mr.. Riordan de-
of thanks but all were not listening to
him. The Essex men were looking in
amazement at each other, wondering
which one had gone over to Mr.. Riordan,
who, by the way, is a Democrat. The
mystery was soon explained. Mr.. Rein
hard arose and said that the mysterious
sixth vote for Mr.. Riordan was his.
my reason for voting for him. said
Mr.. Reinhard, may be quickly explained.
I'm heartily sick of the squabbling over
this craftsmanship and I concluded to end
1t. As long as the Wrangle went on, or as
long as 1t was kept up, this committee
could do no business. One says that he
did most of the work and that he ought to
be chairman, and another claims the place
because he did as much as any one, and
so 1T goes on. Now, / have done my share,
and more, of the work connected with this
new bridge, and knowing that the business
men and taxpayers of both counties are
anxious to see the bridge completed,I took
the cnly course to hurry matters, and
voted for Mr.. Riordan. I know that he's
a Democrat n hat I'm a Republican,
like the rest of the Essex member here.
But there are two Republicans in the
Hudson end of the committee and they
voted for our Democratic friend as well
as did Perhaps they formed their com
bination and maybe they didn't. 1 don't
know. But I don't wan to stand for any
delay in this b-ridge-building and I
Mr.. Hammel was evidently far from
pleased and the other three Essex men
looked very. serious. For a moment there
of selecting a secretary was taken up,
and F~reeholder Mueller was unanimously
elected, much against his wishes.
Engineers Owen and Mccain were next
called upon for reports concerning the
work On the new bridge. They said
possible possf,n,N and Saf they detailed the work as
far as it had gone. They were author
lied to purchase a boat at a cost not to
exceed $50. and then some bills We're pass
The chairman then brought up the ques-
ton regarding the appointment Of in
Ing the. bridge igeA He explained that the
Hudson County Board had appointed a
man subject to the approval Of the joint
sex men should do likewise. That seemed
to be the opening Mr.. Reinhard was
waiting for. He promptly nominated
Essex end of the work. Then came the
storm. Messrs. Dean, Heinkel, Mueller
and Hammel objected. They declared, one
of an inspector on this side yet, and they
were backed up by Engineer Owen, who
said he had a man on duty who could at
tend to all the business at present, and
that. the work would not be far enough
progressed to require an inspector for at
least ANOTHER month nl But NJ. Reinhard
had as much right to have an Inspector
on duty now as Hudson. The Hudson
ahead in the work than Essex, and that
an inspector was necessary They also
explained that the mans salary was not
Reinhard insisted that it must be. The
others argued with him in vain. He in
sisted that he was right. and that his
nized.
"All right" said Mr.. Hammel: .if YOU
insist upon your man, I'll nominate Rob-
And if you insist, Mr.. Reinhard, /" said
Mr., Heinkel. "I1l nominate Jim Chris
"And if you insist" spoke up Mr.. Muel-
Ter, "I'll nominate-oh, what's his name?-
Let we him
SO, and after several moments thought be
Well" said Mr.. Reinhard, sI'm ready"
rh hiws Is 4 s Rat in Eam Mr. H / sonaf ike TT r g St
haven't had a chance to think about this
inspectorship at all. What kind Of a
deal is being worked? I won't nominate
any one. | won't nave anything to do
with it. I'll withdraw my man.
SO will J." declared Mr.. Heinkel.
Me, too" stated Mr.. Mueller.
Move hat the inspectorships go over
fora month"; called out Mr.. Hammel
Second the motion" chorused Messrs
Dean, Mueller and Heinkel.
0ne moment" said Mr.. Reinhard.
mel. iia
II vote aye" said Mr.. Mueller.
s do l." said Mr.. Dean.
Bang! bang! bangety bangi came from