The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-12-05
EXIT FREEHOLDERS.
Old Board Went Out Of
Existence This Morn
ing.
DIRECTOR CLAY TONS HOMILY
Tells What He Has Done and
Forgives His Colleagues
for Their Sins.

The old Board OF Freeholders went out
of official existence this morning. Direc-
tor Clayton presided for the last time,
and Clerk Woolley acted as clerk. Ten
members failed to answer roll call. There
was none of the usual acrimony display
ed, in fact the hatchet. or perhaps it
might be better to say the large assort-
sment Of hatchets which have been so
actively used in the last two years, were
evidently buried.
A communication from Superintendent
West of the electric light plant that a
horse and buggy had been stolen, was
referred to the incoming board. This
communication from Director Clayton
was read
Before the final adjournment of this
Board, I deem II proper to say few
words to you. Notwithstanding the un-
pleasantness which has disturbed our
proceedings in the beginning of my term
as Director, it is gratifying to be able
to say that during the latter part of my
incumbency as Director we have worked
together harmoniously. The allusion
make to the unpleasant past is not TO
mar the pleasant prospects Of the future,
but to show how pleasantness and prog
ress may succeed unpleasantness and in
action YOU recolleet how / was elected
Director on December T, 1896, how it was
attempted to remove me from office. how
l was practically removed on December
80, and how | was apparently out Of that
office until March q, 1888, when the SUI
preme Court decided that I was, on De-
ceinber Z, 1896, duly elected Director for
t,.a term of two years.
Concerning the claim that no bills of
any certain year should be paid after the
expiration of that year. but should be paid
during such certain year, it may not be
improper to remark that such a plan IS
simply impossible. The salaries for the
last month do not become due until the
first day of the next month, that is, the
new year. So also with the bills of costs
or courts and certain county officers they
cannot be paid until properly made up
and certified. which cannot be done at the
end of the term of court, which does not
end until some time after the term of this
Board expires. I remark we have done
as we'll as could be done in the manage
ment of county affairs and that our doings
are understood by the people
Clerk Woolley returned thanks for the
kindness and courtesy extended to him,
and the Board adjourned sine die.
sThe injustice of being deprived of my
office i submitted to, believing that JUS
tice would come in due time. 1t is but
justice to those who opposed me to say
that on the handing down of that judg-
nent. you all acquiesced, and courteonsly
invited me to the Directors chair on
March 81 1885, since which time we have
worked together in peace for the prosper
ity Of the county, and although we began
in bitterness we can separate in friend
ship.
1T may not be improper to refer at
this time to some of the accomplishments
and doings of this Board. The bonds is
sued for the branch Boulevard, lighting
plant, River bridge al Fourth street,
Harrison, the Pacific avenue bridge, Jer-
sey City, and the Hoboken extension TO
the Branch Boulevard amounting in all
to 1862 so2, have all been taken by our
own sinking fund, thus saving the county
the interest on those bonds. The actual
bond issue for the Fourth street bridge
was $106 GOO, while the authorized issue was
$4,000. It being ascertained, after The
issue or lhoSe peilds was ploNloeo -
that 81 600 thereof could be saved, We
saved the same accordingly.
1T may also be mentioned in this con-
nection that after thus at the outset cut
ting down the cost of this bridge to the
lowest amount possible, the ultimate cost
of the bridge was kept strictly WITHIN the
appropriation and contract price. ana NOT
a dollar was paid for any extra work. As
to the annual appropriation, consider
that we may congratulate one anosher.
and may hope for the compliments of our
constituents on the fact that while the
expenses last year amounted to s9s2 5S2,
this year we have reduced the annual dp-
preparation to 1856. T35.
.syhen this Board came into existence
in December, 1886, there remained up
paid bills amounting to SIS .o0Q while We
go out of existence today with less than
half that sum in unpaid bills.