The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-08-20
HOUGH ON HOOS.
City Comptroller Points Out
Flaws in. the, Mayors
Latest Attack.
MARTIN ACT WORK DEFENDED
All City Bonds Will Be Paid and
the Mayors Approval Pro-
nounced Of Little
Significance.
MARTIN ACT WORK DEFENDED

The attack of Mayor Hoos on the FL
nance Board and Sinking Fund Commis-
sion in relation to the operation of the
Martin Act caused much surprise among
present and past officials of the city who
are familiar with its operation. They say
that the Mayor has been misinformed on
the theory of the work and unjustly ac-
cuses men of doing precisely what the
act lays down for them to do. Whether
or not the act is faulty is no business of
theirs; they have not to reason, but to
obey its mandates.
Comptroller Hough, who knows more
the working of the act in relation of
city property than any ether living per-
son. feels particularly annoyed at the
general structures in the Mayors letter
because Mr.. Hough some time ago took
the pains and trouble to enlighten His
Honor on the manner in which the Sink
ing Fund Commission carried out the
provisions of the act and the general
management of the funds SO derived.
and Mr. Hough thinks that His Honor
has entirely misunderstood the situation
and should at least have mastered all
the facts before rushing into print.
The actual work under the act was be-
gun during Mayor CIeveland's admins
tration. when Messrs Ringle, Bedell and
Hasking were members of the Sinking
Fund Commission. and they considered
among many other plans that are now
established and criticized by the Mayor,
namely, of borrowing money to purchase
the property and the payment of subse-
quent taxes, was the most practicable.
Every step we have taken" said the
Comptroller. has been exactly what the
law allowed, and what it commanded.
Take one point which the Mayor raises
i'll speaking of subsequent tax bonds, why
as matter of fact. we don't, after hav-
ing procured deed for the property by
the usual process, keep that property six
months
Again, Mr.. Hough points out that in
answer to the Mayors criticism about the
sale of lands the fifth section of the act
expressly gives the authority now exer-|
cised. The section says
And be it enacted. That the Comp
trolier or other collecting officer SHALL
on the receipt of the purchase money
on any SALE or of bonds in lieu thereof
as provided by this act. execute and de-
liver to the purchaser a certificate of
such SALE which shall contain cove
nant.''
In the same section Mr.. Hough points
out. the act says
THE city may be purchaser at any
sale of lands under the provisions of this
act, with the same right and effect as
any other purchaser.
What have you to- say. Mr. Hough,
about the Mayors criticism about the
subsequent tax bonds being absolutely
worthless?" a News, reporter asked
-'As TO the subsequent tax bonds being
worthless, / can only say that many of
them have been paid off and that when
everything pertaining to the Martini Act
business shall have been completed all of
this class of bonds. as well as the tax re-
demption bonds. will be paid, and no
future tax levy will in any manner be in
creased on said account"
What do you think of the Mayors
announcement that he will sign no more
subsequent tax bonds? Will such re-
fusal cause any serious hitch in the city's
financial arrangements?' asked 1.-The
News" representative.
His refusal will hardly have any ef-
feet at ALL" replied Mr.. Hough. because
there remains only one more Martin Act
report to be filed, and this branch of the
business is nearly completed 1 can
hardly see, however. how the Mayor can
refuse to sign subsequent tax bonds, after
he had in June signed a resolution of the
Sinking Fund Commission providing for
the purchase of $4,000 worth of per cent.
subsequent tax bonds.'
In conclusion, the Comptroller said
1.-THE Mayor has assailed the financial
policy that has been in operation since
1890 but he fails to suggest any remedy
or to offer any new system. He condemns
without offering an alternative