The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-12-08
Freeholder Committee Ac-
companied by Leader
Davis Inspects Hill
Structure.
DISGRAcEFUL STATE OF OFFICES
Mr. Davis Orders the Clean
ing of the Buildings to Be-
gin-Board's New
Rules.

The reforms contemplated by the Board
of Freeholders will not be limited to any
particular branch of the countys service
but Will be general in character. The
members of the new county governing
body are acting in union with City Col
lector Robert Davis and are determined
that improvements will be made in every
direction as far as the reduced appropria-
tions for the fiscal year will allow
Yesterday the members of the Commit
tee on Public Ground, Court House and
Jail, headed by the chairman, FreehoIder
James ]. Kelly and accompanied by Mr..
Davis, visited the antiquated stone struc-
ture on the hill, which necessity will prob
ably compel the county to use as a Court
House for many years to come.
A thorough inspection of the building
was made, especially the offices of the
County Clerk and Register, the disgrace
ful condition of which the News has
| called attention to. 1t was found that the
published reports were not exaggerated,
in fact, if anything, the two offices re-
ferred to were really in a worse condi-
ton than had been represented. Devoid of
modern conveniences, poorly ventilated.
miserably lighted and with inadequate
heating facilities of the size and import
ance of Hudson.
| The party was particularly impressed
with the filthy condition of the corridor,
which, with the advent of cool weather,
has again become a rendezvous for the
idle class. The tiled floor of the Hall Of
Records and the modern flooring of the
old building as well as the wainscoating
of the corridor were found to be covered
with tobacco juice, expectorated by the
loafers who daily throng this passage
way. Dust covered the top of the wains-
coating, and all in all, the place was in as
ditry and dilapidated condition as could
well be imagined.
| Mr.. Davis at once instructed Custodian
John ]. Hogan to obtain such help from
the Jail as he might require and at once
put the place in at least passably pre-
sentable condition.
There is SO much to be done in the way
of improvements that the Freehoiders are
| in doubt where to begin.
/ The appropriation for the Court House
and Jail Committees use last year was
/ $4,000 Every penny OF this was spent.
| and more besides. This year it is S. 600
less. From the $4,000 appropriated the
fees for the board OF prisoners in the
county jail, the expense of heating and
| lighting the Court House. Jail and Free
holders office must be paid, besides water
| rents and numerous ineidentals, such as
medicine, dry goods, shoes, etc, for use
! in the county Jail, the salaries of the
custodian, two engineers, night watch
man, etc.
After these necessaries are provided for
but little of the appropriation will be left
! for improvements. and the problem to be
solved is how to make that little go as
far as possible. This much is settled-all
the cleaning that can be done by the jail
prisoners will be done and the place made
as presentable as possible. The carpenter
employed at the Court House viii be put
to work making all necessary repairs and
the building will be put in as good condi-
tion as it can be under the circumstances.
THE NEW RULES.
The new rules adopted by the board
have not yet been printed, but it is under
stood that several important changes
from those governing the last board ara
| incorporated in them.
| Perhaps the most important is the rule
relating to the ~uties of the wardens OF
the almshouse and penitentiary and the
superintendent of the asylum. Formerly
the duties of these officials were set forth
in spasmodic resolutions that became dead
.
the rules hold the head of each depart
ment directly responsible for the doings
of his subordinates; the power TO sus-
! pend is vested in these officials, and fail.
ure to report an employe neglecting his
or her duty will be followed by the sus-
pension of the derelist superior.
Another important change is the cur.
failing of the County Superintendent'a
control over the bridges north of Newark
avenue, Jersey City. All previous boards
! vested the charge of these bridges in the
committee in conjunction with the County
Superintendent. The rules of the new
board gives control entirely to the North
Bridge Committee independent of the
County Superintendent.
Another rule prescribes that all supplies
must be delivered at the Snake Hill store.
house between the hours of A. NJ. and
Jap NJ.
The hour for committee meetings t.
begin is changed from one to four OF
Wednesdays preceding the meeting day OF
the board.
The Committee on County Institutions
will meet as before on the last Tuesday