The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-09
FRIDAY, JUNE ., 1899.
This paper is Democratic in principles
and Is Independent in its rieics on all local
aateefsone
The Great Jersey city.


The commission which is to meet next
week for the purpose of consolidating
Hudson county into one great municipal
ity is unique in one respect. There is not
one Unfit man in its membership. Al
though it embraces twenty-five names,
and although the nominations were rnade
ror of Judgment appears to have crept
into the list.
Every man in the commission represents
some special aptitude for the work. There
are eminent lawyers, skillful politicians.
experienced public officials. substantial
property owners, old men and young men,
conservatives and radicals. The proportion
between the municipalities is as fairly
struck as could be hoped for under all
the circumstances AT least, it is certain
that the smaller places are not in any
way overridden by force of numbers in the
commission. The townships, indeed, have,
collectively, far more representation than
\ I21CaA AALs 46Sy
than half the number, the nine towns be-.
ing represented by one member each APP
pointed by their chief magistrates, while
the Governor has given two members
each to North Hudson and West Hoboken.
This. considering the population of these
places, is an unreasonably large voting
power, but 1t is to b. hoped that the abil-
fly of the men chosen will lead them to
subordinate local prejudices to the general
good of the scheme.
Hoboken and Bayonne have three repre-
sertatives each. and this is again en-
MISREPRESENTATION. as compared with
Jersey City, which has only five members,
unless Mr.. Corbin. who is not a represen-
tatHe of Hudson county at all, be re-
garded as a Jersey City man. Even with
six members. Jersey City has by 'ar tie
worst of it, so far as members go. for
this city constitutes far more than nalf
of the population, wealth and business ac-
tivity to the proposed great city.
However, with men of the class who
have been named to this Board. it is fair
to expect that broad and enlightened
views will obliterate all petty feelings, ana
when the result is declared, we feel conf
dent that justice will have been done to
all sections. while the smaller places
where injustice will be most feared. will
have assurance tina their welfare has
bene carefully guarded.
It is to be hoped that beginning work
mex week, the commission will be able to
complete a draft of a charter by the time
of consolidation can then be submitted in
the spring, and actually put in force some
time in the coming fall. Mr.. Charles Cor
bin would be an excellent selection for
Chairman of the Commission. on the
double ground of ability and impartiality.
The body will then be divided, we sup
Form of Government; Finance; Public
Improvements; Parks, Schools and Liz
braries; Ordinances; Franchises, and Po-.
lice, Fire, Sanitation and Building Restric-
tions.
The first section would consider a
scheme for the abolition of the Board of
County Administration as are not es-
sentially branches of the State Govern
ment. OF course the courts would re-
main unchanged, and with them euch
ofaces as the Sheriff, County Clerk. Re-
gaster of Deeds and Surrogate. But
HI care Of the public institutions at
bridges and other public works. woul
pass over to the Mayor and governing
body of the new municipality.
One Of the most important sections will
be that on Finance. It will have to sug-
gest a method by which the treasury. of
the new city win be controlled. This, 1t
seems to us. is a problem solved ready
to hand. in the perpetuation of the Board
Of Finance system. a system not unlike
that of the Board of Estimate and APP
portionment In New York. OF course an
adjustment of existing debt must be
made and a sliding scale of taxation de-
vised, but those are mechanical prob
lens which present no difficulties to ex-
perts, and with such men as George r.
Hough, Samuel D. Dickinson, Henry
Brautiaam. Herman Walker. w. D.. Ed
wards and e. A. s. Lewis ON the Com
mission, q practical plan will easily be
devised.
All the other anche Of the subject,
though Of great Importance, are COM
paratiyely simple of solution, and with
nut doubt plans can be prepared giving
svery part OF the new city its share of
public benefits, in proportion to Its popu-
alton. property and needs.
The friendship Of all good citizens