Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1897-06-10
LAID ON THE TABLE.
Council in Protracted Session Does Little
Business but Garry on Long

BUSINESS but Carry on Long
Discussion.
The actual business transacted by
Council Tuesday did not make minutes
very fast, but if Recorder Hewitt took
down all the discussion, his book will be
pretty well filled up and some of the
pages would contain interesting features
in years to come.
All the members of Council were pres.
ent when Councilman-at Large Stevenson
banged the gavel against the marble
black, and started the wheels of the local
legislating machine.
There was some discussion over the
minutes after they were read by Recorder
Hewitt, but finally everything was set.
tied satisfactorily and Council proceeded
to the routine business.
Building permits granted by the Mayor
during the month just passed, were ap-
proved by Council.
City Solicitor Trenchard presented
copies of two letters written to w. B.
Clark, Superintendent of the Central r.
R. Co., requesting the company to place
drain pipes under their tracks at the ex-
tension of Penn street. No answer was
received from the Company. The W. J.
and s. s. R. R., Co., had already placed
drain under its pipes.
Mr.. Elmer moved that the communica-
tions be received and the matter left with
the City Solicitor. The motion prevailed.
William T. Dubois had the oath ad-
ministered to him as a member of the
commissioners of appeal of the First
ward.
Mr.. higgins for the Finance Committee
presented quite batch of bills that had
been approved, and they were paid.
One bill was for sand for plastering for
the new school house in the Third ward
Mr.. Matthews challenged the bill. He
wanted to know why it was that this sand
should be paid for by the city when the
building was erected ON contract.
Mr.. Elmer said that the sand was fur
nished by the city because the committee
thought the city could furnish the sand
cheaper than the contractor could buy it.
Mr.. Matthews declared he could not see
where the explanation explained. The
city appropriated $4,000 for the building
of the new school house. and it was
generally understood that the building
would be finished for that money, In
| stead of that the city would find when
the building was finished it would cost
$4,000 or S35, 900.
| Mr.. Elmer arose at this point and asked
| Mr. Matthews if he was willing to go on
record with that statement.
| Mr.. Matthews replied calmly that he
| was willing to go on record with the
| statement that the new school house
| building would cost $4,000 when COM
pleted, counting in the loss of interest, the
paying of interest, the financial blunder-
| ing, and mistakes made.
Mr.. Woodruff followed Mr.. Matthews
in somewhat heated manner. He said
| this matter had all been explained to
Council and the members had expressed
their satisfaction. 1t was plain busi-
ness proposition. When the plans were
prepared it was found that the building
bids were too high, and some cuts were
necessary. 1t was found that money
could be saved by the city furnishing the
| sand, and IT was agreed to.
Mr.. Matthews still proclaimed that the
explanation was not clear, which remark
caused Mr.. Woodruff to suggest, "Oh,
we'll, if you are happy in being so thick
headed, let it go.'
Mr.. Matthews kept his temper and
said simply 81 may be so affected and yet
not be more thick-headed than some
other people,"
| This debate was cut short by the
Council ordering the bill paid, and for
awhile a strange stiffness prevailed the
| chamber.
| Orders were drawn as follows:
James Neal, $40; Superintendent
Schools Turner, Sl,5OO; City Supervisor
| Dubois, SIS.
None of the Standing Committees had
any reports of Importance.
| Mr.. Bowen for Committee on Paving
| Commerce and Laurel streets, reported
progress.
President Stevenson asked if the Com
mittee to fill up the new Third ward
school house lot had any report.
"That committee was not to report"
said the Recorder, and the matter was
passed.
After some discussion concerning the
sewers of the West Jersey q Seashore
railroad yard, on South Pearl street,
without any action being taken, Council
proceeded to the election of members of
the Board of Education.
Mr.. Sellers nominated Wilson L. Sill
vers, of the First ward; Mr.. Butler nomi-
mated Powell johnson, of the Second
ward; Mr.. Woodruff nominated William
G. Mulford, of the Third ward, and Mr..
Blew nominated George Jonas, OF the
Fourth ward. All of these gentlemen
were unanimously elected excepting Mr..
Johnson; Messrs. Elmer and Woodruff
asking to be passed when the roll was
| called.