The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1899-08-11
BOARD OF
ALDERMEN
Busy Session Of the City Fathers
Friday Night.

claim Part of Franklin Street
Removal of Gates at D. L. & w.
Railroad Crossing a Matter for
Discussion.
Considerable business was transacted
at the August meeting of the Board of
Aldermen last Friday evening, notwith-
standing several attempts of Mr.. Lines
to halt the wheels of municipal machin-
cry. Its mechanism, however, is not
very likely to be seriously impaired by
anything the eccentric member could
say or do.
Mr. Lines insisted upon reading an
anonymous communication, the contents
of which he said reflected upon the mem
bers of the Board. Mayor Quayle and
all but Mr.. Lines. were averse to taking
up the time of the Board by listening to
any grievance that was not sufficiently
important to be signed by the person
aggrieved.
Another effort was made by Mr. Lines
to have his Sunday ordinance considered,
but it was out Of order, and after some
unintelligible muttering he resumed his
seat. His was the only negative vote re-
corded on several motions concerning
matters of minor import put during the
evening.
Mr.. Reed reported for the special COM
mittee appointed to confer with the D.
L. e. w. railroad authorities relative to
the unnecessary obstruction Of the Morris
street crossing by trains. The company
has promised to comply with the ordi-
nance relating thereto.
1t was reported also that the railroad
company had removed the gateman from
the crossing on Ford avenue and that
the gates had been ordered to be taken
away. AS about fifty carriages cross the
tracks at this point daily, the absence of
gates and gateman is considered as leav-
ing the place in dangerous condition.
Mr.. Reed stated that the company could
not be compelled to maintain gates but
that the ordinance providing for limit
to the speed Of trains could be enforced
The law of the State requires railroads to
provide gates at crossings only in coun-
ties of the first class. Morris is county
of the second class. Mayor Quayle
thought an effort should be made to
have the Legislature enact law that
would apply to counties other than those
of the first class. The matter was re-
ferred to the special committee previous
ly appointed.
Mr.. Burke in reporting for the Street
Committee called attention to the fact
4 tbak tho ,,o ~ Of FrouHlir, otroot in -
of the Lathrop property had been reduc-
ed in width from go to 55 feet. The
aldermen agreed that the proper width
should be maintained and Counsel rem
dered an opinion that 60 feet was the
legal width. A motion by M Burke
prevailed that the Ordinance Committee
draft an ordinance so that the city could
reclaim its rights.
| Alderman Swartwout, chairman of the
License Committee offered motion that
the number of hack licenses be reduced
from 45 to 49, He explained that there
were too many at the depot for the safety
of the people obliged to pass or stop at
that point and as several of the hackmen
had failed to renew their licenses this
was a good opportunity to reduce the
number The motion prevailed.
Alderman Freeman moved that $500
be paid over to Independent Hose Com
pany, that being the amount appropri-
ated by the Board for improvements to be
made in that company's house. AS the
work is about completed the motion pre-
vailed.
An ordinance to adopt the grade and
provide for the working of Plum, Cherry
and Chestnut streets was read and laid
over for a month.
Mr.. Cranes report for the Lamp Com
mittee included bill of $22. so for paint
ing 1876 street lamps.
| Collector Becker reported having col
lected taxes since the last meeting of the
Board amounting to $500 and the same
had been paid over to the city.
| The statement of Police Justice Cliff
for May, June and July showed SIG re-
ceived for fines and costs and this amount
had been paid to the town treasurer.
The report of Chief of Police Hollo-
way for the month showed that 26 ar
rests had been made and four persons
had been lodged. The offenders We're
drunk and dlsorderly, II; itinerant mu-
sicians, Q for threats, assault and bat
terry, malicious mischief, abduction, vio-
lation bill posters and peddler's ordi-
nance, escaped lunatic, 1 each Of the
arrests 10 were sent to jail; 2 will await
the action of the next Grand Jury; gave
bail: / was turned over to the asylum
and s were discharged.
An invitation to the Board was read
asking members to attend the third an
nual convention of the League Of Ameri-
can Municipalities, TO be in session at
Syracuse, N. Y, September 1929.
The Board of Fire Engineers recon
mended confirmation of the acceptance
of f. M. Headleys resignation as a
member of Washington Engine Com
pany, in which the Board concurred.
Chief Fox reported the Fire Depart
ment in first class condition.
A communication from Thomas Mar
tin, secretary Of the Board of Health
asked that $400 of the appropriation be
paid at this time. The treasurer was
authorized to pay the amount which rep
resents just one half Of the appropriation.
On motion a note for So, 900 was order
cd discounted to pay outstanding bills.
Bills were approved representing a
total Of 81, ,09l .84 and submitted by these
committees Printing, $t0235 Police,
$556 06; Miscellaneous, $34.49; Fire De-
partment, $342 10; Street Lamps, $715.-
N and Streets, 50, ,240.96.
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