The Jersey City news., 1898-10-29

Resolved, That we express our re-
gret at the sundering of relations by
which we have for the past year been
so amiably bound in the common en-
| deavor to discharge our obligations to
the citizens of Jersey City, and that
| we testify our admiration for the spe-
cial services rendered by the Hon
Allan MeDermott for the faithful ana
diligent performance Of duty as Presl-
dent of this Board, whereby the best
interests of this city have been con-
served and its credit placed beyond the
| reach of controversy.
1t is to Allan McDermott that Jersey
City is greatly indebted for the acqu1si-
ton of that valuable tract of land known
| as the South Cove. In the early part OF
| 1885 he began an investigation into the
| matter. He consulted with Supreme
Court Justice Gilbert Collins, who was
then Mayor of this city. and at Mr.. Nc
Dermott's suggestion the Mayor sent
| letter to the Board of Finance, advising
that the necessary steps be taken 10 Sc
cure possession of the grant The Boards
| of Works and Finance followed out the
suggestions of Mr.. McDermott, made
through the Mayor, and then began the
famous fight with the American Dock
and Improvement Company which, after
New Jersey ana the United States, re-
suited in a victory for Jersey City and
placed her in possession of very valu-
able tract of land.
At about the same time he was max
ing the fight for the city's interests in
the South Cove matter Mr.. McDermott
was struggling to raise the credit of Jer-
sey City from Inc disastrous condition
into which it had fallen and he found
it when he became a member of the
Board of Finance and Taxation, as it was
then called The financial affairs of the
city were in such a deplorable condition
that Marcus Beach, Marmaduke Tilden,
]. Witsch and Simeon Smith resigned
from Inc BOARD III Lear tildl piHAi uptSy
was inevitable. The financiering of this
gentleman resulted in Jersey City six per
cent. bonds selling for 81. There were
several hundred thousand dollars worth
of indebtedness to be met within six
months after Mr.. McDermott was made
President of the Board. Fearlessly he
went to work, devoted his time and en-
ergy to tne difficulties confronting him,
and within one year what appeared to
others an insurmountable barrier had
been removed. Jersey City bonds were in
demand at 115, and millions of dollars
could have been borrowed if necessary.
This seemingly miraculous change of the
financial standing OF Jersey City was due
to Mr. McDermotts efforts.
One Of the most important decisions of
the Court of Errors and Appeals in this
deal of interest, was one, in which Mr..
McDermott saved Jersey City from pay
ing a fraudulent claim of $4,000 This
was known as the Elmendorf case. In
1871 the Street Commissioners of Green
vile awarded to James Elmendorf a con-
tract for the improvement of the new
Bergen Road, in the Township of Green
vile, from Myrtle avenue to the Morris
Caral His bid of S1O0, 80 was the low
est, but on the certificate of Henry D.
Butts, then engineer of Greenville, he
was paid slO4, 4SS.SS, four-ffths of the
amount certified to be due him. Butts
gave Elmendorf certificate showing that
there was still due him s2O.27S.S0. Before
the township could pay the amount a
bill was filed in Chancery to stop the
payment of the money, on the ground
that the claim was fraudulent, inasmuch
as he had failed to comply with the pro-
visions of the contract
In the meantime Greenville had become
Incorporated with Jersey City, and while
the suit was pending Elmendorf secured
the passage of a measure which was
signed on April g. 1875, by Governor Bedle.
This bill provided that lin any case any
work has been done or materials fur
nished for the improvement of the new
Bergen Road, from Myrtle avenue to the
Morris Canal, in any township now in
cIuded within the limits of Jersey Citys
and such materials were not duly adver-
tised and contracted for in thes manner
prescribed by law then the Circuit Court
shall order to be paid to the parties who
shall have furnished the same such sum
of money as shall be just and reasona-
ble. The matter was at first to be re-
ferred to referee to determine the
amount due.
Under the provision of this law Judge
Knapp, on August q, 1875. appointed
Jacob Weart referee to ascertain what
amount was due to one James Elmen-
dorf for the new Bergen Road. From
that date until 1879 Mr.. Elmendorf had
an easy road to travel In 1877 Mr.. Weart
reported in favor Of the complainant, but
the city refused to pay the award. A