The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1898-01-28
7 CITY Government.
Review of the Proposed Changes
and Powers of Officials.

tee of the MCrristown Improvement So
eiety Concerning Chapter 80 of the Laws
of '97 and its Relation and Application
to Neutrality-suspicious. of the Powers of
Mayor, Aldermen and other City Oficers
Supplementary Report on Detects of
the New Law.
The Morristown Improvement Society
has had under consideration for some
months the question of improving the To-
cal municipal government, and to this
end in September last appointed COM
mittee of five to examine into the work
ings of chapter 30 of the law of 1897 and
its application to Morristown. The re-
port of this committee is now given in
full below. 1t will bear the careful and
thoughtful reading of every citizen of
the city.
TO THE MoRRIsTowN IMPROVEMENT So
GETTY
The undersigned, the Committee ap-
pointed at the meeting of your Society
held in September, 1897, to investigate
and report on the Act Of the Legislature
of this State. entitled San act relating to
and providing for the government of
cities of this State containing popula-
tioh of less than twelve thousand in
habitaDts," approved March "a, 1897,
and whether its provisions are applicable
10 Morristown, do respectfully report
I.
That in the judgement of your Com
mittee the said Act does embrace within
its terms Morristown, and that Morris
town, if it so desires, may incorporate
itself under its provisions. Your Com
mittee recognize the fact, however, that
this question depends upon whether
Morristown is City or not, upon which
there is some contrariety of opinion.
II.
A general comparison of the act with
the form of municipal government of
Morristown and its powers as they now
exist, shows
A. OFFICERS, &c.
1. THE MAYoR-Under the new act
the Mayors term of office is two years,
and he is an executive officer only and
does not sit with the legislative body.
BE is given the power of veto, which
cannot be overridden except by vote
of two thirds majority of the Common
Council. He is made the head of the
Police Department, and is charged with
the duty of appointing, suspending and
removing all policemen, and with the
appointment of the Chief of Police and
snch Captains or Sergeants as may be
required by ordinance, but the appoint
ment of the Chief, Captains and Ser
geants of Police must be confirmed by
the Common Council. He can recon-
mend to the Common Council all proper
measures relating to the government of
the City, and he is charged with the en-
forcement of ordinances, and with the
supervision over the other officers of the
2ity.
Under the present charter the Mayor
holds Office for two years. He is compo-
nent part of the Common Council, pre-
sides at its meetings, is appointed on its
committees, approves and signs all ordi-
nances, but has no power of veto. He
can exercise little, if any, executive func-
tion.
2. THE COMMON CoUNcIL-Under the
new act the Common Council would con-
sist of three members from each ward,
and they hold Office for three years, and
their election is so arranged that one from
each ward goes out every year. Besides
their is COMMUNICATING who holds
Office for two years. So that the Com
mon Council would consist of thirteen
members in all.
Under the present charter the Common
Council, in addition to the Mayor, con-
sists of two Aldermen from each ward.
who hold office for two years, and their
election is SO arranged that one from each
ward is elected each year. With the
Mayor the Council is now composed of
nine members.
3. CITY CLERK-Under the new act
there is City Clerk, whose term of
Office is three years. He is elected by the
voters of the municipality. His compen-
sation is fixed by the Common Council,
Under the present charter the City
Clerk is appointed by the Common Coun-
Gil, which also fixes his compensation.
By Act of March 90, 1885, the term is
made three years.
4. TREAsURER-Under the new Act a
Treasurer is elected by the voter of the
municipality for the term of three years,
and his compensation is fixed by the
Common Council.
Under the present law the Treasurer is
appointed by the Common Council, who
fixes his compensation and he holds office
during its pleasure.
5. COLLECTOR OF TAXES Under the
new act a Collector of Taxes is elected
by the voters of the municipality, and
holds Office for the term of three years.
He receives such compensation as the
Common Council may by ordinance di-
rect, ''in lieu of such fees as are now pro-
vided by law" He may appoint, with
the consent of the Common Council, one
or more deputies.
Under the present law the collector is
appointed by the Common Council and
holds Office for three years.
8. ASSESSORS Assessor is elected
by the people from each ward for the
term of three years, and his compensa-
tion is fixed by the Common Council in