New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-01
DEFYING THE LAW.
NEW BRUNSWICK NOT YET REDls'
TRICTED.
FRIVOLOUS sUBTERFUGEs TO WHICH THE demo
ocRArs HAVE REsoRrED TO MAINTAIN
THEIR CONTROL OF THE COM
,,ny ror-yrrr tif !,

In control appear TO relish the distinction which
they have attained and TO desire to continue IL In
perpetuity. One Of their latest pecularities mas
been the resistance Of the enforcement OF State
statute in O city which sorely needs the Application
OF It. 1t should be understood that not all inc
Democrats here opposed to the application OK
this law. One Of them In fact voted for II In the
Legislature. But Democrats who are IN cohuoi
defy the law by various subterfuges, which are no
longer either cunning wise They are the small
toads in the puddle Of politics who have been able
TO croak the better element down. Tho recent
cleaning UP OF the county by the Republicans was
almost gratifying TO the Democrats VINO De-
lieve IN fair play II was TO the Republicans, ana
II the city were placed square voting oasis
the days of Democratic control would be num-
bered
1t was with the view OF giving the people, ana
not the politicians. the opportunity to secure their
rights that law made BY the last Legislature
which applies to this city and TO others similarly
situated. This law is Chapter " OF the State
Laws OF 1899. and is entitled IAN act concerning
cities" 1t was approved by the Governor on Febru-
airy g. 1899 Six days after the passage OF the act
Alderman Sickel presented certified copy OF II
to the Common Council Of this city accompaniso
appointed to proceed with the redistrictng OK the
CHe Of on the mod g % ae Da spoke
almost pathetically Of the probable cost Of putting
the law permitted by the Democratic majority.
THE MERITS OF THE CASE.
In order to get the bill and the resolution OF the
hooks and to give the people a fair idea OF what
was going among other things In the Council,
Mayor Williamson, in his annual message In May
SUCCESSFULLY remarked:
My immediate predecessor has been enabled 10
follow up his suggestions to your honorable body
in regard redis,ricting this city by voting In the
course be taken. AS Illustrative OF the fact that
there Is an unequal distribution OF power would
remind you that the Third and Fourth wards,
FIVE members TO the Council. who. through the
81 ywhGS Be
the representatives of the remaining $50 voters;
redistricted without regard TO party adyantage t
is to be hoped that this may be accompsnsed With
The immediate predecessor Of Mayor williamson
was Senator Van Cleef. who. although a Democrat,
has the goodwill Of majority OF the Republicans
because Of his fairness and evident desire to rep
resent the people. II was this fact that made him
stripe had no use for him because. as Senator Van
Gleef has said. they could not use him These
law directing the redistrictinE OF the city was noe
agreeable TO them.
APPLICATION TO THE COURTS.
An application. based upon the afidavit Of Thso-
dore Booraem, was made by Alan IL Strong to the
Supreme Court for nandamus to compel the Com
Council TO proceed with the redistricting OF o
city. The argued In June. on a rule to-
show why the mandamus should not ISSUE
Soon after the argument was made the Court Issued
alternative writ the effect OF which was to call
for further return Of facts showing why the Coun-
Gil should not proceed In compliance with the law.
This alternative writ made returnable at tho
November term. and at that time the city common
Council. so called; which was represented n Court
Rice, filed a demurrer This demurrer was: ON on
.s3aeS of M oa 2t ss
same time. granted few days time IN wien ,n tns
the Common Council might die return to the
writ setting up facts showing reason Why tneey
Council died a return setting forth that there were
no funds with which to meet the expense OF cen-
sus which II was alleged would be necessary IN
order to make equal division OF the city's popu-
aon into wards S9 S w esd al s onie argued
before branch Of the Supreme Court W
and there the matter FOR the present remains but
a decision is expected soon. 49,
Democrats in the Council made a pretence OF pro-
ceeding with the redlstric;ng by appointing com-
number and location Of the voting pOpglation This
committee is said TO have reported IN enect ina' ne
Council could not comply with the law. especially
as there no une W f 5af out
tirely satisfactory information presumably thar no
other r Tnd c s4q has oe m round numbers population
Of 5000 and about 5000 voters, and according t.
500 The school census is taken at a cost Of about
$500 Considering how easy 4 has been On some
70 take hold OF and put through much more ex-
pensive matters It was evident that TINS matter
pemo.ratic ascendency in that highly eonsiderats
and momentousy deliberatve Common Couhcn. N
This incident is especially notewoIIny IN nroteS as
having said that an equitable division OF the city.
into wards would place the Council IN the naIds o.
the Republicans and he was OF course. opposeu 70
any such proceeding as that, although there was
time when he would doubtless have Favored 1usI
such a change He has however chahsed poh'''-S
bedfelows since that time
MORE LEGISLATION MAY BE NEEDED.
1t is expected that the Republicans from Middle>
sex will ask the Legislature for more legislation on
this matter at the approaching session. so that the
Democrats in the Council would have further
opnortunities for bubbles and consequent delays
II that Is what the Democrats are waiting for It
might not be bad Idea for the Legislature TO
enact law empowering the Mayors of cities OF tha
brunswick class to order equitable diVisions
or enabling them TO appoint committees 10 40 20.
An incident in the Democratic government az u .h
CITY has again been revived by the contest In mo
courts over the new redstricting law. II Is re.
lated to show the pull OF certain inqlvlouaIs sha
TO illustrate how carefully are the finances OF tn9
CITY guarded in the interest OF the taxpayers, anu
especially why an expense OF S1U LOT IeulssfSta,.s
the city is not to be thought OF seriously Mr.
WeigIe has been City Attorney about twelve years.
He was an attorney when he began and ne IS an
attorney STILL having obtained as is averteu
cuunse0rs License c ieaoM IN the higher courts
he has had TO have associate counsel ~ g.,
three or four importa;t ease defendant and in
which only local counsel are Opposed 70 Inc rSgs
and yet Mr.. Wegle has assistant case
e. On abe and astute lawyer, and the supposition
that he gives his services many times Tor me NoV
Tn,Gh II he city would be not only reflection
upon his professional standng dha s ,ha Ses
nuded bushes in remote Piscataway 10 sHHe'
>-
A PASTOR RESIGNS.