The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-05-16
Organization Of New Board.

1neQ. Immediately after town meeting
when it was shown that the Republican
would probably control the Board the car
didates for Director began canvassing fo
support. On the Republican side the
were John E. Darnell and Charles 3
Crowell, and it soon became apparent tina
Mr.. Darnell would be the choice of tn
caucus. Then the rumors became preva
lent that Mr.. Darnell would not be elected
if he received the nomination. This wa
supposed to be a mere subterfuge to Sc
cure votes for Crowell, but the result lead
to the impression that those who started
the story knew whereof they spoke.
The rooms in the Court House were al
occupied at the time set for the member
to meet in caucus, so the Republicans me
in the editorial room of the Mirror ofic,
and the Democrats went to Zelley's hotel
The Republicans had anything but al
easy time. One member openly avoweC
his intention of voting for the Democrat,
candidate for County Collector, and it wa
not until he was given to understand il
plain language what would result from
his action that he changed his mind. TIL,
rumor with reference to the support O
Mr.. Darnell was also discussed and befor,
the auc adjourned each member pledged
himself to support the nominees. How
well they regarded their word is shown by
the result. If the old saying that 'he VIII
will lie will steal" is correct there is Ger
tainly one man in the Board of Freehold
ers who needs watching.
1t was after 10 o'clock when the BoarC
convened. Clerk White raped for ordel
and Judge Gaskil administered the obi
cation to the new members. Mr.. White
then asked for nominations for Director
The Republicans named John E. Oar
nell and the Democrats nominated Howard
Mathis. Messrs. Woodward and Tallman
were appointed tellers and the vote was
taken. The result was announced: Math-
is, 10; Darnell IA. As this was not at al
in accordance with the pledge of honor
given in the caucus, Mr.. Mitchell at once
demanded a recount. The result was Just
the same. The clerk appointed Messrs.
Crowell and Conrow a committee to es-
cort the Director to the chair. Mr.. Mathis
returned his thanks for the honor and
promised to act impartially.
The director had hardly taken his seat
before MI. Conrow put himself in evidence
by offering a resolution that the salary OF
the County Collector be 81, 900 instead OF
81, 200 as heretofore. "A viva voce vote
was taken and the Director declared the
motion adopted, and Mr.. Mitchell asked
for a roll call. The point was raised that
the only way to change the decision was
to appeal from it. Mr.. Mitchell did this
and the roll was called to decide whether
the chair should be sustained. The vote
was as follows:
Ayes-Mathis, Jones, Higgins, Pan
coast, Lippincott, Conrow, Evan, Durell,
Sharp, Garwood, Challender, Smith, Jen-
nings, Tallman, Brock-15.
Nays-Birkhead, NOrcross, Mattson,
Woodward, Mitchell, Bartlett, Darnell,
Goldy, Crowell, Stecher, Joyce, Sooy,
Haines, Applegate-14.
This vote sustained the chair and was
in reality a vote on the question Of reduc-
ing the salary of the Collector. Mr.. Pan
coast, Republican, and brother-in-law of
the Democratic candidate for the office of
Collector, voted with the Democrats.
Joseph Powell and Charles B. Ballinger
were then named for the Office of County
Collector. Nh. Powell was elected. The
vote was 16 to IS.
Some applause followed the
ment and Mr.. Conrow at once began the
exhibition of himself that was a feature of
the entire session. He remarked that sit
was plain to be seen which side the gen
ILL WOAO Oh Go thO4C was III aRPldupC
a few moments ago when the Director
was elected"
"Who do you name for Keeper of the
Court House ~ asked the Director. Con-
row answered the question by saying
1--WE already have a Keeper. l object to
any nomination being received" Then
he proceeded to show that under the law
and a decision which he had in his hand,
it would not be possible to GUST Henry
Heaviland, the official elected at the meet
in May last.
Mr.. Crowell responded and said he in
sisted on a nomination being made. The
fact that Conrow decided the case to his
own satisfaction did not govern the Board
by any means, no matter how certain Con-
row was that he was the whole Board.
The Director decided the nomination
should be received. The Republicans
named Wilbur F. Shinn. The Democrats
nominated j. Henry Heaviland, but before
the ballot was taken withdrew his name
and refrained from voting. The vote was
cast and Shinn received 10.
Mr.. Conrow entered a protest against
the entire proceedings. He wanted this
on the minutes so that when this
thing is decided in favor of Heaviland' by
the Courts, as it surely will be, it will
show we Democrats know something"
Then Conrow took another shot at the
salary business, and offered the following
resolution:
ResolUed, That the salary of the County So
licitor be placed at $500 per year, said amount
to cover all charges Tor extra services, with
the possible exception of actual expenses in
Cured while called away on business OF the
board.
In support of this resolution Conrow
fnOk a lofty ofondt onnoo1tnH fN f1o
bers as taxpayers and not as partisans, as
men who stand ready to defend the treas
ury.
His eloquent appeal touched the heart
of Brother Pancoast and he voted with the
Democrats the second time in favor of a
strictly partisan dodge, and the motion
was declared carried.
Nominations for solicitor were then re-
ceived and Charles K. Chambers was NOM
mated and elected over Jerome B. Grigg
by a vote of 16 to 10.
For prison physician DR.. Richard II.
Parsons received the Republican vote and
DR.. r. E. Brown that of the Democrats.
DR.. Parsons was elected.
For %almshouse physician, DR.. J. W.
Bickler was named by the Republicans.
The Democrats nominated DR.. j. W.
Webb, against whom they voted last year
because he was the Republican nominee.
DR.. Webb was elected.
For superintendent of the burial of sol
diers and sailors A. G. Seeds was chosen.
His opponent was Charles P. Challender.
This ended the contest over the offices
and the board adjourned for dinner.
On reassembling the first business was
the appointment of committees. Mr..
Mitchell moved that a ballot be taken for
all committees.
Conrow, of course, objected. He said.
II would not, if | were the director, enter
tain any such motion. 1t is the right of
the director to name all committees, and
he has as a precedent for such action the
name in which committees are appoint
ed in Congress and in our assembly halls.
The director represents the people, who
will hold him responsible for the acts OF
this board"
Mr.. Birkhead said he was willing for
the director to name the committees, but
the Democrats had named two for each
committee and the Republicans had the
same number. Somebody must make q
sacrifice. He did not think the majority
should be called on to do it. Would the
Democrats withdraw one of their names
on each committee2
Conrow could not agree to any such ar
rangement, and a ballot was taken on the
motion offered by Mr.. Mitchell, which
was declared carried.
The first committee named was the
finance committee. The Republicans
nominated Messrs. Birkhead and Darnell,
the Democrats naming Messrs. Jones and
Conrow. The ballot resulted: Birkead, 28,
Darnell, 10, Jones, 10, Conrow, IA. The
three first were declared elected.
Mr.. Mitchell then moved to reconsider
the vote by which it was determined tt
elect the committees, but Conrow had tc
object and Mr.. Mitchell withdrew his mo
ton with the remark that he could stay a:
long as any one else could.
Mr.. Crowell, however, wanted to expe
dite business and he offered the motion tt