The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-03-24
MUCH Cry LITTLE WOOL
Aldermen Fuss Over Licenses
and the Armory's Gas
Eating Engine.

There was much ado about nothing at
the meeting of the Board of Aldermen
last night. Alderman Bornemann made
an opening 70. the leaders of the respec-
tive forces by refusing to vote a number
of liquor licenses which had been recon-
mended for passage BY the Excise Com
mittee.
II do not know anything o the
licenses" he declared, and for that
reason I wish to be excused from voting.
/ nave no doubt that the licenses are all
| right, and that the persons named in
them deserve them, but knowing nothing
about them I decline to vote
Alderman Decker took a similar view
of the situation and requested that he,
too, be excused.
Before that point was decided Alder
man Calnon, the Democratic leader, set
sail for the objectors.
These gentlemen say they know moth
ing about those licenses he said. THE
| applications have been advertised and
they could certainly have looked them up
had they so desired. l want to remind
the gentlemen that when the Democrats
were in the minority in this Board the
Republicans told US nothing and con-
suited US about nothing. We never dis
puted what they did. but always con-
| sidered that they were looking out for
the interests of the city. We voted in the
dark, as It were, having only for our
| guidance the good intentions of our Re
/ publican friends. If Republicans are not
now consulted on minor subjects or great
ones, It is because we feel tina being in
the majority they will abide by what we
do and regard it as being done for the
best interests of the city"
At this juncture Alderman Tracy nov
hat neither Aldermen Bornemann nor
Decker be excused from voting. The mo-
ton was put and carried and the gentle
men voted with the majority for the pas
| sage of the licenses.
When it came to Alderman Vermilye's
turn to vote he put on the gloves with
Alderman Calnon n in his usua re
fined way said:-
Il am not opposed to- the majority of
this Board. be it Democratic or Republic
can, holding a caucus and excluding mem
bers of an opposing party when party in
terests are to be conserved, but I do
| think it is unfair .and perhaps irregular
for the majority to caucus on subjects
in which the minority is as much inter-
ested and as much responsible. The
minority is entitled to some considerd-
ton and on the routine business of this
Boar we should be consulted. Because
we represent an opposing political faith
| it is no reason that we should be de-
prived of exercising the few rights that
are vested in us as representatives of the
people, This system should be changed,
| 1 believe.
s.As for compelling Aldermen to vote
on subjects they do not care to, that is
all nonsense. Men cannot vote intelli-
gently when they are ignorant of what
| they are voting for. I do not him the
majority would force me to vote If I did
not care to-
The Alderman voted for the licenses
and explained that he made a few re
marks only to remind some of the mem
bers that there was. minority represen-
tation. and a healthy one.
Alderman Frank Scott found fault with
a bill of $3.50 for gas for the month OF
January for the Armory. He considered
1t exorbitant.
While he was debating the question
Alderman Calnon moved that the claim
be paid. Mr.. Calnon was ruled out 81
order. Mr.. Scott was allowed to proceed
The Alderman insisted that inasmuct
as the Armory closes every night al
eleven O'Clock $3.50 worth of gas could no
be consumed if the city was beina
charged the same rate as Individuals.
Alderman Henry explained that a gas
engine that eats gas was used at Tho
Armory. The bill being sworn to it wa.
passed.
An echo of the Armory ball came IN or
a bill of the Jersey City Electric Lighf
Company for $40 for putting one arc liehs
In the Arm0ry on the night of the ball
Alderman Decker thought the price high
he changed his mind later and voted fol
the bill. 1t was paid.