The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-10-08
THE MURDER OUT,
County Treasury IN a
Hole to the Tune
of S65,OOO.
TEMPORARY Bonds ISSUED.
Urgency of Creditors Left
No Other Escape from
Bankruptcy.
NEXT YEARS TAXES RAIDED
The New Bonds to Be Met Out
of the Levy : Robbing
Peter to Pay Paul.
BOULEVARD LIGHT SCANDAL
Two Reasons for the Failure of
the Plant-Itch at the
Almshouse.
BOULEVARD LIGHT SCANDAL

The County Board of Freebooters, at
their meeting yesterday evening, decided
to repienish the county's looted treasury
by floating ss5. 900 Of temporary loan
bonds, payable some time, probably
when the ship comes in. The money Is
needed to pay the claims of clamorous
creditors.
The appropriations have all been ex-
hausted in fact they were exhausted
some months ago. through the reckless
extravaganza of the Board, and now 1t IS
necessary to raise money to pay press
ing claims. The money is to be borrowed
III anticipation of the collection of county
taxes for 1861, and the bonds are to
bear four per cent. interest and run for
six months If there is money in hand
when the bonds fall due they may be
paid if not they will be renewed. The
Freebooters have been boasting that the
treasury is plethorie with money, put
none of them attempted TO explain yes
terday why. in that case, it is necessary
10 borrow money.
The meeting was devoid Of any special
excitement The de facto and the de
jufe directors sat side by side, but MI.
Green attended to the practical part OF
the Directors work. George Benson, Su-
perintendent of the county's electric Hgnt
plant, at Snake Hill. sent in long COM
munication explaining why the plant is
practically a failure. At the previous
meeting the Board directed Chief Engl-
neer Harrison TO prepare plans and specl-
ficaiions for having the electric light
furnished by contract. That threatened
Superintendent Benson with the loss OF
his lob and he comes forward with state
men1s to show how the county can make
Its own plant success. His explana-
ton begins by stating that the growth
of the trees on the Boulevard interferes
with the light, and suggested that the
top branches be clipped off. Next the
machinery is not adequate to the demands
made upon it, There are only four dy-
namos, one for each section, and when
one gets out of order the light is neces-
sarily shut off until it is put in order
again. There is not sufficient number
of lamps and some of those in service are
worn out. Mr.. Benson has been obstruct-
ed in getting new supplies and pieces OF
machinery needed for repairs. One new
engine and couple Of extra dynamos'
Mr. Benson thinks. would put the plan'
in good working order M
Freeholder Piercy bluntly remarked that
the trouble is not with the plant but with
the Superintendent. THE plant Is all
right he said, '.but what we need is a
competent superintendent. One of the
employees told me that there would MOI
be any trouble If the Superintendent un-
derstood his business" Mr.. Pierson,
communication was referred to the Stand
ing Committee.
Division No. /, of the Good Roads Asso-
citation. sent communication commend
ing the Board for refusing to allow Con-
tractor Baker extra compensation for re-
pairing the damage done to the Bouie-
yard by the elements. The next commu-
rication was from Contractor Baker noti-
Tying the Board that he would expect
reasonable compensation for the work
Both communications were ordered flied
A request was received from Mayor
Hoos for $500 yards of crushed stone ant
referred the Standing Committee Coun
ty Superintendent G. P. Smith reported
that the retaining wall of the Paterson
Plank Road, from Frankling to Congress
street. is III a bad condition, and in SONS
places it is entirely down. making travel
ing dangerous. Superintendent SmItf
also reported that the Delaware, LacKa
wanna and Western Railroad Compan,
causes considerable Inconvenience at tht
County road crossing at Snake Hill b5
keeping trains of cars standing there
hlockading the road The Standing Com
rnittee will attend TO both matters
Warden Ryan of the Aims House re
uorted that the slight epidemic of itch
which prevailed at that institution for ;
short time is "neariy' abated. The pa
rients have been Isolated as much al
possible. The WaTslea suggested that I
separate hospital ought 70 be provided
for such emergencies. Sometimes chill
5ren are afflicted with sore eyes ans
other infectious diseases. and there is NJ
,lace TO care for them properly. Free
,olaer Ricrdan agreed with Warden Ryai
that 4 hospital should be provided 70
saeh cases, and urged the Aims Hous
Committed 10 take the matter under con
sidcratiou. Al resolution was adopted
transferring all unexpended balances t
tie inciderstal account in order that SOM
Of the more pressing claims can pc paid
County Collector Dugan was allowed
x1.2oo TO pay an assistant who he has hat
I1faS