The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-07
AWARD CERT|ORAR|[D.
Democratic County Com
mittee Takes Action in
the Noonan-Kelly
Contract.

Justice Lippincott this morning granted
a rule to show cause why "a writ of GER
tiorari should not issue removing to the
Supreme Court for review a contract to
Ignatsus Neonan by the Board of Chosen
Freeholders.
The application was made on behalf Of
the Democratic County Committee by
Counselor Michael /. Fagin and was the
result of resolution passed last night
! at the meeting of the committee. Leader
Robert Davis secured the passage OF
resolution denouncing the Board of Free
holders for its agpart in the Ignatius
Noonan-Kelly drsgoods scandal case
The committee also retained Counselors
W. D. DAILY, Michael I. Fagin and John
| NIulvaney to prosecute the Freeholders
implicated and to take steps to prevent
the execution of the contract awarded to
Noonan.
]. ]. Kelly, who was really the lowest
bidder for supplies, is the brother-in-law
of Noonan. The Kelly bid, it is asserted,
was put in at the instance of Noonan in
case his bid was not low. 1t happened
that the Kelly bid was low and that
Noonan's was next on the list. On the
plea that he had made an error in his
estimate, Kelly withdrew his bid and the
award went to Noonan. The difference
| between the two bids is about $4,000.
The award to Noonan caused furry
at the meeting of the Board of Freehold
ers. but those who were opposed to the
| award were voted down. In speaking of
the situation at the County Committee
meeting, last night, Leader Davis said:-
II am in earnest in this matter. I want
understood that if it is necessary I will
drive every Freeholder who has had
hand in this deal into court If they
have not decency enough to~recall such
an action, perhaps the Grand Jury will
bring them to their senses. The whole
thing is a clean steal of about $1,000 from
| the county. I do not care who Ignatius
Noonan is, I want honesty and fair play
to prevail in Democratic bodies. 1t is
just such scandalous proceedings as this
than damn the Democratic party Twill
not countenance it, Freeholder McGov-
ern, one of the new young members, made
| a brave fight against the deal, and 1 am
/ astounded that the old members did not
stand by him and prevent such a scheme
| going through. No member of the
Board of Freeholders will profit individu-
1 ally at the expense OF Ine democratic
party if I can help it. / will tell the
Freeholders why the award was made to
Noonan and will tell the Grand Jury
unless this act is recalled. Reputable
merchants are prevented from bidding
| just because of such performances
| as this The Democratic party has
| pledged itself for reform in the Board Of
Freeholders and 1 will not tolerate job
! berry of this kind. The members who
| voted for Noonan are not fit to represent
/ the people and it would be good thing
for our party and for the people if they
would get out of the Board without delay.
Every man connected with the deal
should be exposed and T. will help expose
| the whole trick Ignatius Noonan nor
| any other man can fleece the county in
/ this way at the expense of the Democratic
party, which happenns to have cowardly
representatives in the Board. /"
i Mr. Davis raked the Freeholders fore
and aft for a long time, and then made
/ "a motion that every Freeholder impli-
/ Gated in the scandal who IS member
! OF the County Committee be expelled ,ln-
| less the award to Noonan is recalled. Z
/ The motion prevailed. Counsellors DAILY,
Mulvaney and Fagin announced their In
tention Of proceeding at once against the
Freeholders