The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-09-27
A LICENSE ROW.
I'M M. Connolly's Petit
ton Raises a Rumpus
In the Board Of
Aldermen.
EXCISE COMMITTEE PROTESTS
Having No Regular Applica-
ton On Hand, Board Had
No Subject for Dis
cussion.
EXCISE COMMITTEE PROTESTS

There was a nice flare up last night at
the Board Of Aldermen's meeting over
the petition of James M. Connolly Of
Railroad avenue and Monmouth streets
for a license, over which there has been
already a lot of fuss. The Excise Com
mittee made no allusion whatever, in its
report last night. to Connolly's request,
and the Republican Aldermen then got
mad and began saying things.
Connolly had engaged the legal services
Of Messrs. w. Fl. Speer and r. Carey,
and these were seated in the lobby. Three
petitions with about sixty signatures at
tached and from people IN Connolly's
neighborhood, were handed In to the COM
mittee, which slowly after retired. HaIf
an hour later they re-entered the cham
Der and made a report. but nothing about
Connolly. Then Alderman Charles Steh,
addressing President Midlge said
quietly
ssThere is, I believe. a petition in the
Connolly matter. and I see here counsei
who would like to be heard If the Board
will hear them"
.sTbis matter. replied Mr.. Midlige,
was referred to the Committee on Elk
else and you have heard their report
This exasperated Alderman Chas.
Fichtl. who asked why some other fellow
named Reardon had not been refused and
Connolly had. This was an outrage, he
said. and rapidly getting redder in the
face HI screamed
rs this already another Dreyfus affair?
what is, what is the matter init Con-
molly? There is no complaint by him and
if this sort Of thing is to be allowed by
Democrats =
Point of order Mr.. Chairman" inter
rupted one of the Aldermen.
He's out of order chimed in Alder
man Calno and for a few minutes there
was an u2roar.
President Midlige said that the discus
sion was clearly out of order because
there was really nothing before the beard
to act on. To Mr.. Stell he detailed the
history of the dispute, how the petition
for a license was refused and the money
returned. Consequently, he argued, what
was the board to act upon since there was
no application for a license from the
Excise Committec?'
This reply didn't satisfy Alderman
Decker who said that there had been pre-
scented to the Alderman that evening,
three petitions to give Connolly a license
and he thought that the counsel present
sent their reasons.
" cannot listen to these gentlemen"
explained Chairman Calnon, of the Excise
Committee. all this is extremely irregu-
lar. If there had been a regular appli-
cation for a license before us we would
then know what to do. but having none
we have no business in this matter any
longer
Il ask PERSISTED Alderman Stell, IF
there is only a technical objection to this
and would like to know if there is an
application from Connolly for a license?'
Yes added the fiery Mr.. Fitch, and
why it Is not given like others. This is a
mean party
There. there that will do" replied Mr..
Calnon sweetly, 1--WE lave fo application
as | have already told you, before US.
There is 10 further business ! move we
adjourn"
Seconded. and the meeting was at an
end, but not the "affaire." Then Messrs.
speer and Carey took a q They in
centre of which was President Midlige,
that the refusal of the Excise Committee
to grant a license and the Board to refuse
any statement of counsel touching 1t was
mo trick at an." replied Mr.. Midlige.
I'VE had nothing before us. The Board
refused his license and returned his MON
ey, which, / suppose IS in the hands Of
the Clerk. from whom Connolly can get
It when he chooses
yes" retorted Mr.. Speer. "but you all
know that your resolution returning him
this money WAS certioraried, consequently
the matter stands that the application Is
therefore before you and you should have
acted on it,
so on they discussed, while some Of
Connoaiy's friends got hot alt the collar,
ragged and TUNED. muttered dire threats
of doing up everybody and everything,and
finally retired to an adjoining cafe to re-
licve their feelings
Messrs. Speer and Carey viii, 1t is said,
take legal proceedings to compel the Al
dernlen to grant a license TO Connolly.