The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-11-22

PERHAPS IL IS because we are interested
that we notice it so much, but it does
seem as if the printing bills before the
Board of Freeholders are subject to more
scrutiny athan others. Now, it is not for
momentto be thought that we object to
scrutiny. On the contrary it is invited,
but we do demand that other items shall
receive just as close attention. The print
ers are required to get the 80. K" of per-
sons who have ordered work Bills of
freeholders are regularly signed by the
committee, regardless of the fact that
there are no vouchers attached to them.
And even then items slip in that should
be erased. An instance of that kind can
be given right here. Mr.. Mathis, Direct
or of the Board, and member from Bass
River township, Is also a member of
the Board of Registry. Just here we
might digress and state that the law pro-
vides that ''the Roard of Registry shall
be paid reasonable compensation to be
fixed by the freeholders. The price
seems to be IS per day and expenses, but
we doubt if there is any minute showing
that the freeholders ever fixed the sum,
but, rather, acquiesced in the bill as pre-
sented. However, that is not the point at
issue. Mr.. Mathis, at the last meeting of
the Board of Freeholders, presented
personal" bill, and one for services as
member of the Board of Registration. In
the personal" bill he had these items:
October to II, eight days on bridges
$40; November A, meeting Atlantic coun-
ty committee, So; November 5, one day
bridge, Mullica River road, So; Novem-
ber7 Z, 10, II, three days painting bridge,
Jobs creek, So In the Registry Board
bill he has in his charges items for these
days: October 10, II, November 4, 5, q
and II. If you will compare the two
bills you will see that the same dates APP
pear in both bills. 1t is an undeniable
fact that man cannot be in two places at
one time, and it has also been decided by
the courts, to whose attention similar mat
tiers have been directed, that freebooter
cannot charge for a days service on
reasonable to think that he can act in two
capacities in one day. getting 81 per day
and expenses. Yet both of these bills~
went through with bells on. One was
regularly signed by the committee" the
other never went to a committee, but
bears the stamp approved, Howard
Mathis, Director !" There may be a salts
factory explanation to this matter, and if
so, we shall be pleased to give it. No
doubt Mr.. Conrow, who is looking after
matters with an eagle eye will thorough
ly investigate the affair. If these double
charges are proper, what is to prevent
freeholders who act as supervisors on
stone roads from viewing a bridge in the
morning and drawing pay as supervisor
in the afternoon We do not believe any
one has done such thing, but inciden-
tally we might remark that a bill paid
one supervisor was for III days services"
without date to show when these ser
vices were rendered. This bill was reg
ularly signed by the committee" the
chairman of which is the same gentleman
who offered the motion that printers
must have an O. K. to every item in their
bills. We have no doubt it was all right,
but why should it not have been itemized
the same as printing bills are required to
be- Let the board show eternal vigi-
lance" in all matters and we will give
them all the aid in our power