The Jersey City news., 1901-05-08
POLITICS TABOO[D.
Central Improvement As
sociation Decides to
Stick to Measures
Alone.


The second meeting of the Central I'M
provement League of Jersey City. which
is composed of representatives from the
different Improvement associations of the
city. was held at the Avenue House last
night. The proposed modification of the
water contract was the principal subject
of discussion. It was decided to oppose
in every way possible any modification of
the present water contract.
+ The first business transacted was the
/ consideration of the constitution and by
Laws thai had been prepared by com-
Imittee. appointed at the previous meeting.
( A summary of the same as adopted was
that the object Of the league was .the
general Improvement of Jersey City and
{ the welfare of the general public; every
Improvement association similar body
organized for the welfare and protection
of the city is eligible for membership,
each being allowed six delegates; the
executive committee of the league to con-
sist of the chairmen of the several dele
cations and the president of the league;
during a recess of the league the execu-
tive committee is allowed to exercise all
its powers
Mr.. Muir wanted a clause prohibiting
any discussion of political nature at
the meetings added.
Mr. Landrine questioned whether it
would be considered politics to recon-
mend men for office who were pledged to
carry out the measures advocated by the
league.
We are after improvements declared
Mr.. Muir, land when city officials come
to realize the strength of the membership
represented by the league We will get
what We want. If any loophole is lett
in your constitution and bylaws by
which politics can be discussed or can
dfdates recommended the end of our in
fiuence and organization is in sight"
Mr.. Carr suggested that the discussions
might drift unconsciously' into channels
that might be considered political.
Secretary Cole thought there were times
when the discussion of politics might be
important. Suppose the candidate of one
party refused to stand by measures advo-
cated by the league and his opponent
agreed to-" he continued, wouldn't it be
a good idea to report to our respective
associations, without comment, the posi-
tions of the two men?"
My point is how far can we go in the
ciations,a explained Mr. Landrine He
then asked Mr.. Muir if he would consider
the discussion political if the league had
Joined in the demand that the new park
in Little Italy should be named after
Mrs. Mary Benson. He disclaimed any
desire to inject politics in to the organiza-
tion and declared his only object was to
learn the sentiments of the members as
lowed.
"There are times when discussions of
political questions are advisable said
Mr.. Hopken. I'VE should have the
privilege of expressing ourselves in favor
or against the actions of city officials in
matters Of public interest.
Mr.. Muir said that his position was mis-
understood. His point was to support
measures not men. 1T would be a mis-
take to hold up to the public a candidate
who IS to work for our measures, he
said. If the city officials don't give US
the improvements we deem necessary we
can condemn them. If we ask candidates
to define their positions on matters in
which we are interested it is politics. Let
us stick to measures and leave men alone
If officials don't do their duty we know
what to do as individuals"
1t was finally agrede to insert clause
IN The constitution to the effect that par
tlsan politics would be debarred.
Mr.. Muir brought up the matter of the
notifications of the water contract asked
for by the contractor Mr.. Bugasch SAID
Ward Public Improvement Association
the secretary had been directed to for
ward a protest 70 the Street and Water
Board against any modification of the
cOI1frapt baiIlg allowed
To bring the subject properly before the
league Tor discussion Mr. Carr moved
that similar action be taken.
Mr.. Muir questioned the wisdom of
granting what the contractor asked. He
said that there were many questionable
features about the request for a moditi-
validate the whole contract if it was
done, he declared. II question whether
the city has the, right to break it. The
contract was signed in good faith and if
Mr.. Flynn did not have the water he
ought not to have signed the contract to
deliver it l am afraid our new water
supply is still long way Off Things
look very muddled now. 1t is said the
raise the money to build the plant.
L understand, said Mr.. Hopkins that
there are certain interested parties willing
to help Flynn, but | don't believe in sym
pathy helping him get away without the
citys rights being protected.
he water contract was adopted by
vote OIL tile people anu Wu6CueT any InOul-.
fication of it would not also have to be
submitted to them is an Interesting ques-
tion,'' said Secretary Cole. IF it is done
it might vitiate the whole contract. There
should be no change allowed unless the
people vote for II"
Il understand" said President Russell,
ssthat it is claimed il the contract is not
modified the city will have 10 build its
own water works."
'sTt looks now as though those people
who sald they were the only Sones who
.fe-t, M tfNrNfxr
not do ii" sad Mr.. Landrine. IF we
break the contract it may cost us fifteen
million to get a new water supply. If
the contract is TO be broken let Flynn
break it.
President Russell asked if any of the
associations had yet discussed the mat
ter ard suggested if they had not, it
might pe well to do SO.
Mr.. Muir thought that the delay that
dangerous. Mr.. Carr coincided with this
view. He declared that the city would
be putting itself into position of
jeopardy if the contract was broken. 1T
is possible that this is only a scheme to
make more money out of the contract,
he said. The threat that the work will
be thrown on the city sounds like a bluff.
! say hold Flynn to the letter Of his con-
tract
II would state" said President Rus
sell, that Mr.. Flynn has tried to Ca
out his contract. He offered to purclLSsae
the canal at the price asked for it, but
sale. Flynn then went before the Legls-
lature to try and have the canal aban-
doned. That measure was lost through
the votes of the South Jersey members