The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-03-08
new
FREEHOL DERS.
Governor Signs Mr.. Nc
Dermott's Reorganiza-
tion Bill.
PRESENT BOARD WILL NOT OBJECT
Action Will Be Taken at
Special Meeting Next
Tuesday.
PRESENT BOARD WILL NOT OBJECT

There is every reason to believe that
Hudson county will soon be rid OF lts
cumbersome Board of Freeholders and a
new compact body will take its place.
Yesterday Governor VOORHEES, signed Mr..
McDermott's bill, which provides Tor a
new Board of Freeholders, to consist OF
nine members to be elected at large and
to hold office two years. The bill also
provides that the present Freeholders
shall determine whether the law shall go
into effect or not, so that if the Free
holders object to the law it cannot be put
into operation.
The Freeholders will not put any op-
stacle in the way of having the people
pass upon the bill, in fact, at the last
meeting of the Board it was decided to
meet again on the 18th inst. so that, II
the bill became law, the necessary
measures could be taken for referring It
to the vote of the people at the coming
spring election. The members of the
Board have discussed the matter and they
are all perfectly willing that the people
shall determine the question.
No member of the Board was at the
office today. Clerk Egan said that he was
not authorized to speak for the Board,
puI ne QHQSTStOOQ lndl lAlCy HCAS az 49,
ing 10 accept the law and submit it on
the referendum at once for adoption or
rejection. He said he had not heard them
express any opinion as to the advisaibility
or wisdom of reducing the membership
of the Board.
Director Frank McNally of the Board
of Freeholders was interviewed this morn
ing regarding the bill He stated that the
members of the Board, as far as he knew,
were in favor of the measure and that
action on it would be taken at the special
meeting called for next Thursday after
noon. He stated that there would be no
opposition to the resolution calling for a
vote of the people on the BILL This reso-
luton, he added, would undoubtedly be
presented as the meeting was called for
the purpose of taking action on the mat
ter. The Director is in favor of the bill.
Freeholder Frank Scott was interview
ed In referring to Senator McDermott's
measure he said the Board would pre-
pare at the special meeting to submit
the bin to the people.
There is no doubt that the people will
be called upon to decide whether they
want a new board or not, at the spring
election. This matter will be voted on
in conjunction with the regular spring
candidates in the various municipalities
in Hudson county. Freeholder Scott was
sure that there would be no opposition
10 the resolution calling for vote of the
people. The Freeholders to a man are
said to be in favor of the bill.
Freeholder Murray, in speaking of the
special meeting of the board, said the
members were all in favor of the new
bill.
81 feel sure that the people will vote to
reduce the board" said he. Mine mem
bers instead of twenty -eight will, to my
mind. make the right sort of a board.
County matters can be handled much
more easily and in far less time than
questions are disposed of at present. The
members, as far as I know, will vote to
place the matter before the people at the
snring election