The herald., 1898-08-13
BOARD OF fREEhOLDERS
lSTILL HARD AT WORK ON THE
CHARTER
The Library Given Scope to Develop
Into a Museum and Art Gallery.
The City to Have q Fiesta

The board Of freeholders was not suffi-
GENTLY done up by the warm weather not
to meet last night. though to be sure they
did not do very much and were ready to
adjourn at a comparatively early hour.
There was somewhat Of a disposition to
argue and amend what appeared to an
outsider to be points Of small significance.
but which were probably none the less
worth all Of the attention given to them.
Mr.. Newmark was particularly active and
was prompt with amendments and i'm
provements to reports all Of the evening.
The members present were: Chairman
Scott. Messrs. Stephens. Hazard. Willard.
DAVIDSON, Newmark. Morgan, Cohn, Croft
and O'Melveney.
The first matter to come up was the
question Of selecting the city attorney.
about which lot of arguments had been
had at the last meeting, and which had
been carried over until last night for set
Element. The report of the committee on
this subject had fixed the appointment of
this officer in the council. but this met
with decided opposition, and Mr.. Crutcher
at the last meeting had changed his views
on the point and had moved that the Of
flee be made an elective one, but action on
the motion had been postponed. AS Mr..
Crutcher was not present last night. the
question, after some little talk, was again
carried over for settlement when Mr..
Crutcher could attend
The report on educational affairs was
then called for, but Mr.. Willard, who has
this in hand. explained that while his re-
port was virtually complete, he had been
other reports were handed in which would
affect his, notably he said this was the
case with the action of the committee on
civil service, principle which he greatly
desired to introduce into the school de-
partment and as he wished no clash, he
thought best to wait until action was taken
on the other reports.
The chairman dryly suggested that such
delays might be avoided by conferences be-
tween the committees, and the matter was
passed for the meeting.
Judge Croft then presented an admirably
prepared report on the city library section
Of the proposed charter. The main features
Of the present provisions were maintained.
with the addition of making the whole I'M
der civil service rules, which 1t is at pres
ent but only 80 by the consent Of the pres
ent board. The limit Of taxation for the
library was fixed at five cents on the hum
dred dollars, though Mr.. OMelveny made
strong plea to have the maximum placed
at six cents. The board Of commissioners
is to consist Of five members and is TO be
appointed by the mayor, to serve four
years, the members to have no salary.
Full provision is made for the develop
of liant rty nj int
and art gallery, as the directors are en-
powered to acquire lands and buildings for
such purposes, and 1t Is made possible for
| individuals to make donations or requests
for such a purpose.
Mr.. Newmark proposed an amendment.
which was adopted, that all work to ex-
coed 5000 in amount be let upon competi-
tive bids unless the board decided to have
1t done by days labor.
The report of the committee on parks
caused some argument. AS result of the
request Of the Merchants and Manufac-
turers' association a clause had been IT.
serted providing for a city forester. who
should have charge Of all matters per-
tainin gto trees aligning the streets. to see
that they were properly cared for and
trimmed, and that they were planted at
proper places. Judge Stephens opposed
this on the ground that 1t had tendency
to the multiplication. of offices and that
the board had all the needed power to see
that such things were attended to without
the making OF an office for the purpose.
Mr.. Newmark defended the clause, saying
that the office was needed. for what was
every ones business was no ones. and
while the police had charge of such mat
ters now, the result was seen in the dis
graceful condition of the street trees. The
clause was finally permitted to remain.
Mr.. Morgan Of the committee on police
and fire department, Mr.. DAVIDSON of the
committee on health, and Judge Stephens
Of the committee on public utilities had to
ask for more time. and the board then ad-