The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-10-16
" al: OF my following to Mr. McEwan,
securing his election by vote OF IS 70
.,
MORE ROYqHNNHSS.
How Commissioners Abernethy,
West, Brennad and Mills
Ars Said 10 Blackmail
Police and Firemen.
lFrom the Evening Journal of Yester.
q

From the Evening Journal of Yester.
day.i
| There Is a fund raised for political pur-
poses In this city twice each year. In
which every man who contributes. and
| every man who handles the money on
It's way from the contributors to the
| treasurers of the campaign committees.
| is forced to participate in an unworthy
! deception.
That fund is called the Gree Library
Fund" Not one dollar of it ever reaches
the Free Library. Not one dollar of it
is given or collected with any intention
of its ever being devoted to the institution
whose name conceals the real purpose for
which the money is to be used.
On the first days of March and Oc-
tober. when the salary list of the police
department is paid, a Ave. dollar assess
ment is collected from every member of
the force. The sergeants OF each police
precinct receive the money. AS fast as it
is gathered in by them it is turned over
to the precinct captains. When the re-
turns from the precinct are complete. the
captains carry the money to Police Head
quarters and deliver to Chief Murphy.
The Chief holds the returns generally
until all the precincts have reported. and
then places the money in bulk into the
hands of the Police Board, and the Police
Board turns it over to the leaders or
treasurer of which ever County Com
mittee the majority of its membership
may represent politically.
Each patrolman. detective, roundsman.
nj 30 In fa1x ar
his contribution; each captain takes a
turns in; the Chief takes a receipt from
the Police Board for the sum he delivers
and the Police Board is given receipt
by the treasurer of the County Com
mittee to which it delivers the money.
The same sort OF fund Is collected
from the members of the Fire Depart
ment and there also the amount real
lied is exactly IS from each man, and
in the same manner 1t is turned over
to the County Committee.
The political preferences OF the men
who are thus assessed are not respect
ed Democrats are compelled to con-
tribute to the Republican managers.
None refuse. and the total amount of
these semi mi-annual collections balances
almost TO a dollar with sum represent
ing IS from each man. In the past, re-
fusal has been severely punished by
transfer, and sometimes 1t has been fol-
lowed by prolonged period of persecu-
tion, ending in the victims resigning >or
being forced out of the department under
charges. In recent years that has not
been done, but the practice, established
by a long precedent, has become so rooted
that the men of these departments con-
tribute today, If gradgingly, in silence,
considering that the price is small for
the security it affords, and hoping that
some day they will be released from the
burden
This burden Is a degradation. 1t instills
an expectation that proper compensation
should be returned. Il cultivates The be-
lief that fidelity and long service are not
alone the safeguards of their position. It
places the men in binding relation to
the political machines. 1t Is perpetual
and false authority for their believing |
that their welfare needs safeguarding, |
and that their interests lie solely with the |
politicians to whom their money is given. |
Its demoraizing effect is vastly augment |
ed by the shameful pretense used TO con-
oeai the whole transaction In calling It |
THE Free Library Fund1
Chief Murphy siienced by his position |
and unable to act authoritatively without |
the consent and support of the Board, is |
bound by practice of years for which |
his position is not responsible. The Cap |
tains are in a relative situation, and the |
subordinates. as has been shown are |
helpless. 1t rests with the Police Board. |
The Free Library fund Is again being
collected today In preparation for the |
election which is approaching.
The duty OF the Police Commissioners Is
cleac. They should at once order 1t
stopped and command the return Of every
dollar already In hand to the men from
whom 1t has been taken.
The duty OF the Fire Board is no less
plain. They should not stain their hands
with money practically extorted for pou-
tioal purposes. Their trust cannot per-
NIT them to do so.
TILE REPUBLICAN COUNTY COM
MpTTEE'S OFFICERS SHOULD TAKE
THE MATTER UP. THEY SHOULD RE-
FUSE TO ACCEPT ONE DOLLAR OF
SUCH FUNDS
The Poitce Board Is controlled by its
two Republican members, Col Hugh M
Aaernethy and Mr.. "Pete" w. M West
Chief Murphy is also a Republican.
The Fire BOARD is also ruled by two Re-
publicans. John Brennan and T. D. Mills.
JEFFERSON CLUBS STAG.