The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1899-06-16
BOARD OF
FREEHOLDERS
Indications That the Members
Do Not Know What They Want.

w lNVC NHVN Hut lHOy WuIIts
Rescinded Resolution Providing for
Publishing Reports in Pamphlet
After AboIishing Outdoor Re-
lief Discussed Whether it Should
be Provided Again-May Have a
County Asylum for Insane.
That august body, the Board of Free
holders held its June meeting on We'd
nesday and at that time undid some
things that had been done at the session
of month before. A notable repent
ance of a former act was that with
reference to the publication of the county
quarterly reports in the newspapers.
At the M ay meeting resolution intro
duced by Mr.. Carter was passed author
izing publication of reports in pamphlet
form. 1t was discovered soon after that
the newspapers were not the only objec-
tors to the proposed reform" for many
Taxpayers expressed one opinion that the
greatest possible publicity should be
given to reports of county finances. So,
at Wednesdays meeting this remarkable
resolution which was to save the county
so much money, was rescinded. Then a
motion was offered naming nine papers
selected from different parts of the
county, in which it was proposed to
print the reports. Mr.. Cook moved an
amendment that the columns of all the
papers in the county be used as hereto
fore. The amendment was carried with
but five dissenting votes-Carter, Apgar,
Bowman, Becker and Kimble.
Mr.. Carter explained that the publi-
cation only in the papers named by the
original motion would save the county
$S75 and would still insure the publicity
desired and prescribed by law. Mr..
Cook said that it the members of the
Board would work few days less each
month this amount might be saved.
The matter of outside support, which
the Board by vote decided should cease
on June /, was again discussed and for a
time it looked as if the members might
rescind this action and return to this
expensive mode of caring for the county
poor. The discussion was inspired by
Mr. Bartley who told of a case in Net
cong where woman was helpless, and
did not know how to get along since the
county had stopped the allowance for
support, and she did not want to go to
the almshouse. Mr.. Hoagland stated
that there were two similar cases in his
township. At this point Mr. Smith
moved that the resolution abolishing out
side support be rescinded but this was
not seconded. Mr.. Whitehead said if
the action was rescinded it would avail
nothing, for there was no appropriation
He did not believe in putting premium
on lsziness. 1t was finally decided tc
leave the cases brought to the attention
of the Board to the dircretion of the Poor
Committee.
Mr.. Hoagland innocently stirred up q
little discussion when he reminded the
Board that the lights for the past six
months on Madison avenue had not yet
been paid for. He read the bills and
afterward moved that $700 be transferred
from the incidental fund and apply to
paying for erection of lamps and amount
due for lighting. Mr.. Carter at this
point said that he had been and was still
opposed to lighting the thoroughfares
Mr.. Vreeland thought the company
should not charge for furnishing lamps
making connections, etc. The transfer
was made however, and the bills were
paid when approved by Miscellaneou;
Committee.
1t was expected that site for the
proposed new almshouse would be select
cd uff fl1ie onfiY,cr l4f1t l,o ntd
had not confirmed the special committee
appointed by the old body any action
taken might have been without authori
ty. Director Lum lost no time in
naming committee composed of the
same members-Messrs. Kimble, Trox.
ell and Hoagland. A motion by Mr.
Cook provided that the action of the
committee be confirmed. A site will
doubtless be selected at the July meet.
ing.
Mr.. Hoagland requested the Clerk tc
read a clipping from a Camden paper
which showed that saving to that coun
ty had resulted from conducting coun
ty hospital for Insane. 1t cost sc cents
weekly for each patient, whereas at the
State Hospital $3.50 is paid for care Of
Morris county patients. 1t was stated
that fully 80 per cent. of the county pa.
tients at the State institution could
be cared for at county asylum. This
would save the county $4,000. Mr.
Hoagland offered resolution that the
Board authorize the Almshouse Com
mittee to visit the Camden institution
the Board to pay expenses of the trip.
A resolution was offered by Mr.. Bart
ley providing for repairing of the roads
by contract to be made for year, after
first advertising for bids. The matter
was laid over for month.
Chairman Becker of the Court House
and Jail Committee reported that bids
had been received for new files to be
placed in the Surrogate's Office. The
lowest had been $500 but this was
thought to be too much and a motion
prevailed to ask for new bids.
A resolution by Mr.. Kimble instruct
ed the Director and Clerk to execute
contract on Washington township road
and provided that work should cease Oh
ten days notice from the County Engi
neer that the limit of expenditure haC
been reached.
A claim of Contractor Drinkwater wai
discussed at some length with reference
to his liability in claim against him by
sub-contractor named Sheets. The BoarC
finally came to its senses when Counse
informed the members that the matter
was a private transaction between th'
two men concerned.
A petition was presented with 81 sig
natures, asking for macadamizing of
miles of road from Raavartovvn Lane =,