The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-01-29

Board of Trustees consisting of i've men
for each county. From one source comes
the statement that the bill is supposed to
be plan to secure further Republican
control of county affairs This is no new
movement. The adjustment of the Boards
of Freeholders has been advocated many
times. but has never been adopted, in this
state. notwithstanding it is successful
in Pennsylvania. We do not believe the
change would be of any political benefit
to either party, but there are many reasons
to believe it would prove of great advan-
tage to the county and to the taxpayers.
The residents of every county in New Jer-
sey have ample opportunity to know how
county affairs are managed under the pre-
sent system, and are fully capable of de-
termining whether any change would be
good or bad. There are many points in
favor of abolishing the Boards of Freehold
ers and instituting some method of i'm
provement and advantage. If, after duly
considering the matter, the taxpayers
think the proposed measure should be
adopted, they should take the matter up
and urge its passage for there will un-
doubtedly be organized opposition to any
change by those who are welded to the
present way of regulating county affairs.
THERE was not much surprise expressed
when the announcement was made that
Amos Gibbs had failed of reappointment
to the State Board of Assessors, position
he has filled acceptably for the past three
years. Mr.. Gibbs was acknowledged by
All who had dealings with the Board, to be
available member, and one who paid close
attention to his duties. His retirement
may be charged entirely to political
methods 1t was an open secret during
the campaign for Senator in this county,
that, in the event of the success of Nathan
Haines, Mr.. Gibbs was to go. Before the
nomination this was discussed and the
names of two gentlemen in this county
were connected with the position. As
both of them were warm advocates OF
Mr.. Haines, and as both could not be
given the place, some other arrangement
had to be made That was shown when
the time for the appointment to be made
arrived. The proposed change was given
SO much publicity that it was discussed in
other quarters and it was rumored that
unless Mr.. Gibbs was supported by the
Senator from his county the position
would go elsewhere. The result of Tues
day shows there was much truth in all
these reports. There was no objection to
Mr.. Gibbs on the ground of incompetency
or neglect of duties. His reappointment
was conceded as a matter of fact. Tt
name either Of the two men from this
county who had been mentioned would
create dissension and personal strife
There was no likelihood of vacancy il
the county judgeship so that there NIGH
be compromise by putting one man there
and another ON the Board of Assessors
but Mr.. Gibbs must go. So another can
didate was called up from the lower par
of the county, and his claims were pushed
True he had no show, but if Mr. Gibb
did not have opposition in his own bali
wick, he might slip in. The two candi
date business worked, fractional bitterness
appeared, the Governor appointed mai
from his own county and the determin
alton to down Mr.. Gibbs was carried t.
completion, and to the evident enjoym EN-
of all who were in the scheme