The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1899-02-10
DOYER'S
TROUBLES
Mass Meeting Held and Charters
Old and New, Discussed.

May Fall Back Upon the One
AdoptedinI IS69-FreehoIder Rep
resentation the Chief Contention
Population Over 5000 and Can
Raise $4,000 From Taxes
Senator Pitney and Others Ad-
dress the Meeting.
The complex condition of Dover's
municipal affairs have caused no end of
trouble to the residents of that pro-
gressive place. and it is possible that not
few citizens have lost not little sleep
in their desire to find way out of the
muddle. For the purpose of learning
what had been the result of these Sleep
less nights, and of thoughtful hours as
we'll. mass meeting was called at the
instance of Mayor PIerson, for Wed nes-
day evening.
Bakers Opera House was the place
selected for the ventilating of opinions
relative to extricafiug the town from its
present embarrassment. The assemblage
was representative gathering.
Mayor Pierson called the meeting to
order. E. j. Ross was chosen chairman
and Rev. David Spencer secretary.
Morris county's representatives in the
Legislature were present and State Sena-
tor Pitney was asked to address the
meeting.
Mr.. Pitney said that he had come to
listen and not to talk. He desired 10 hear
expressions of opinion as to what the
people of Dover desired, and if the Leg
islature could come to their aid. he
would be glad to lend his efforts to this
purpose.
Senator Pitney related how Dover had
been incorporated under town charter
in 1869 and how in 1885, the citizens
voted for city charter, which seem
ingly gave to the municipality certain
advantages not provided in the original
charter. The speaker said he was not
familiar with the litigation in which
Dover had figured and therefore de-
cliued to discuss that phase Of the mat
ters in question. He has been informed
that the decision of the Court of Appeals
would affirm that rendered by the Su-
preme Court, declaring the act of 1895
to be unconstitutional. Decision is being
withheld by the Court of Appeals in the
|
tanned that will be suited to the require
ments of towns in the same class as
Dover. If this act is unconstitutional,
then elections held and officers appointed
under it, and other municipal legislation
has been null and void.
Assemblymen Welsh and Poole also
spoke.
Mr.. Pitney suggested that those pres
ent appoint committee to ascertain the
views of the citizens, what kind of 9
charter they wanted, and, if possible,
how to get it.
Ford d Smith believed the most seri
GUS part of the situation was how to gel
representation in the Board of Free
holders. Dover should have as many
members of the board in proportion to
population as Morristown, which has
four. He stated that the census of 1896
gave Dover a population of more than
5000. A fatal feature of the old charter
was that the amount of money raised
from taxation was only So. 900 with which
to conduct the affairs of the town. 1t is
now possible to raise $50 900 by taxation.
City Counsel James H Neighbor was
inclined to the belief that there were
some features in the '95 charter which
were an advantage over that of 1869.
While the last charter is good in its
general features, it could oe greatly i'm
proved, If the old charter is to be the
towns guiding star, then the old regime
will be in effect for two years at least
Surrogate David Young thought there
was but one thing to do, and that was
to drop back to the old charter. If
Morris county's legislative representa-
tives could find way for Dover to be
represented in the Board of Freeholders,
MIR. Young thought the citizens would
get along all right for two years.
Isaac w. Soaring was another speaker
who believed it not a bad idea to fall
back upon the old charter. When the
present one was adopted the people
thought they were getting something
pretty good, but time had revealed that
this belief was not we'll founded. He
advised that efforts be made to get Free
holder representation.
when the new charter came up for
popular vote the people did not know
what they were voting for" was Rev.
w. H. McCormack's opening remark.
They had been reading the same chapter
since 1t was begun, and he hoped they
would soon "get to the end of it."
Mr.. Soaring moved resolution, which
was passed, and is as follows:
"Resolved, That we, the voters of
Dover, would request our County repre-
sentatives in the Legislative to use their
influence in that body to secure for
Dover proper representation in the Board
of Freeholders."
The nomination of five persons as a
committee to keep watch of any legisla-
ton that may effect Dover, was moved
by George Singleton. Those selected to
act on the committee were George
Singleton. Isaac w Soaring, Ford D.
Smith, Rev. w. "a. Mccormack and
Mayor Pierson.
The secretary was instructed to for
ward copy of the resolution to the leg
islative representatives at Trenton.
Hod Carriers Favor Eight Hours.
The Twelfth annual convention of the
international Building Laborers' Protec-
tive Union of America, composed of hod