New-York tribune., 1902-02-17
A COMIC OPERA TOWN.
HARRISON'S GOVERNMENT A
LAUGHING STOCK.
ONE OF THE ALDERMEN A SELF-CoN.
FESSED GAMBLER THE TREAS
URER is ABOVE THE LAWS
OF NEW-JERSEY.

/ opera funnier than anything seen here since
THE MikadO" made its appearance This ma
/ terial is to be found in the town of Harrison.
on the eastern bank of the Passaic River which
divides it from Newark. the metropolis of New
Jersey. Here. from time TO time all kinds OF
/ lawbreakng have been tolerated in spite of the
1act that an overwhelming majority of the resi-
dents are hardwOrking, honest people.
IN the days of yore, when gambling became
uncomfortable elsewhere. the sports" foeked to
Harrison under guarantees of protection. In
recent years, however. business in that line has
+ been poor because of the vigilance of County
Prosecutor Erwin Not long ago it occurred to
Alderman Joseph b Henry that he could add to
/ the earnings Of his saloon by having a poOlrOom
attachment. Being chairman Of the Aldermanic
/ Police Committee. and. SUCH head OF the
police force, he appeared to feel quite safe.
Some of the honest citizens were staggered when
they heard of this. and of them was bold
enough to make public exposure.
Did Henry wilt? Did his colleagues hurry to
sift the charges? No; that isn't the way that
they do things in Harrison. Henry was virtu-
ously indignant, and he talked of libel suits and
what not Two Of his aldernanic brethren Wis
tied Henry's saloon, with brass band accom-
paniments." the cynics put it, and they with
straight faces, reported that there wasn't any
pooroom.
Prosecutor Erwin's detectives had no trouble
|
promptly pleaded guilty. and Judge Blair startled
the State by imposing on the guilty alderman
the nominal penalty of 800 fnel But Henry
was to resign? Yes. he resigned as chairman OF
the Police Committee. but his place in the coun-
ell he fatty refused to give up and five of his
seven colleagues formally voted TO encourage
him in this stand.
Meanwhile Town Treasurer Grace is having
sideshow of his own. He IS a custodian of the
school funds ard the law requires him to make
regular reports as TO how the finances stand.
Mr.. Grace hasn't time TO bother with such
things. and he has refused To make reports.
He did condescend TO mention a deficit of some
years standing On which interest has been paid
regularly, although the School Commissioners
were apparently ignorant Of the whole business.
And from the testimony Of these commissioners
it appears that the council was voting special
appropriations to meet unpaid salaries at time
wheE the amounts received from the State
treasury for school purposes should have been
more than enough 10 meet all obligations.
But Grace sits tight. and does not deign to
make explanations His chums in the council
stand by him nOby, and by way OF showing his
standing with the Democratic machine Of the
county seat he made member Of the pres
ent Hudson County grand jury. The grand jury
is the body 10 which, under normal conditions.
the people would naturally look for an investi-
cation of the conditions now existing in Harri-
son. As things are present the honest citizens
are turning their eyes TO the legislature for re-
lief. although they know that their efforts will
be thwarted by Assemblyman Rice. who is
president Of the Harrison Common Council and
the boss of the town
There is a we'll defined public opinion among
the reputable citizens Of the place that the town
is a rotten borough. II may be that this belief
is premature. that il is not we'll founded
but if il is not we'll founded nothing would seem
to b. easier than for the Common Council TO dis
sipate it by forcing the resignation Of a self
confessed criminal member Of that body which
six Of the eight members last week resOIuteIy
refused to do and for the same Common Council
To compel the examination of the town books
ana a statement OF the town treasurer showing
that the school accounts and other accounts are
not in badly muddled condition as they are
beneNed 10 he ny the aforesaid reputable Citi-
zens- Nothing in the ordinary transaction of
business is easier than for a merchant like AL
deTnlan RiOrdan, for instance. to keep his books
straight and to be able to tell his balance in
bank any day in the week Mr. Riordau has
been doing his utmost as a member of the Com
mon Council 10 get the treasurer to make a
statement Of the towns affairs to the people.
He also has endeavOred to make il clear TO AL
derman Joseph B. Henry that his continuance .
as member Of the governing body of the town
Is not in accordance with the wishes OF the
people who think that individual who has
confessed IN court TO the violation OF a criminal
statute, and who escaped with fine when
many OF his fellow citizens believe and assert
tnat term IN prison would have better fitted
his But Alderman Henry. nOtwithstand-
ing MS unenVlaule position In the eye OF the law
anu IN the puoIlC gaze. Is stll a member OF the
Common Council Of the town of Harrison
against the COmmendable opposition 0f such
citizens as Alderman RiOrdan. Democrat, and
Alderman Van Deven, a Republican
Fully sensible Of the stigma cast upon the
town of Harrison by the conduct of Alderman
Henry. and we'll aware that reputable public
sentiment was opposed 10 his remaining in the
council. Alderman RiOrdan presented the fol-
lowing resolution TO that body;
Whereas Alderman Joseph B. Henry a member
OF TINS common Council has confessed before the
courts of this county 70 having committed crime;
Harrison. that Alderman Joseph B Henry De re-
quested 10 resign from this council at once.
Alderman Van Derer seconded this resolution.
Whereupon Mr.. Riordan, speaking 10 il. dealt
gently-altoSether too gently. many of the
sef-respectinS citizens OF the town of Harrison
beleVe-wlth GT. Henry. He said simply hut
plainly that IL would not injure the self-con-
fessed gambler 10 resign, but that his refusal
10 resign would injure the town. In this opinion
Mr. Riordan merely was rejecting mildly the
sentiment of the honest and honorable DeoDIe oP
the town of HARRISON and his brief remarks with
the possible exception of the euogistic sentinenr
with which he introduced them, were indisputa-
bly, representative.
Alderman Van Deren spoke for the weHbeing
of the town of Harrison when ne said No menu
Der or this council or citizen OF the town feels
the sting tOf Mr.. Heury'S confession anv more
than feel IL. II is not a pleasant duty 10 bring
IN such a resolution that relating to Mr.
Henry but the sood name of the town and It's
people has been diSgraCed.''
1t may appear To be singular but il is a fact
that, Notwithstanding AIr Riordan and Nr Van
DeTen spoke recognized truth and verified the
popular VIII, they were the only two members
who voted in favor of the above resolution and
that the six remaining members OF the council
voted against il. The six members who gave
Alderman Henry certificate OF character and
a specimen of their own quality on this occasion
were Edward j. Rice, Hudson County uepaha-
or the legislature. and also president OF the
council, and Aldermen BulSer, sullivan Henry
(HenTy, of course, why ShOu.Cu't he9