The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-05-08
BOARD OF
ALDERMEN
Seem to be Somewhat Tnnid
About Paying 0ut Money
Just at this Time.
COUNSEL ADVISES TO GO SLOW

NOUNOIs1~ kAO lO1C ~ w OLVW
The Police Committee being Short of
Funds Makes a Report, and a Reso-
luton Providing for the Payment of
It's Bills is Passed to Take Effect
when the Money is on Hand. Chief
of Police Makes Annual Report.
At the May meeting of the Board of
Aldermen held last Friday night,
every alderman answered to roll call.
1t was a busy session, but nearly all the
business transacted was on and by the
advice and consent of City Attorney G.
A. Muir. Readers of the Chronicle will
not be surprised at this, as it has been
stated in this paper several times how
poorly the city finances have been
managed and as a sequence the
s'watch dogs dared not bark or bite
unless their legal adviser said so.
There had been new debts contract
ed by the city during the month, but
only the police bills were offered for
payment, and these by Alderman
Hurtzig, chairman of the police COM
mittee. He did not ask that they be
paid Immediately, as is the usual Gus
tom, for he knew all funds had been
exhausted, and there were no accounts
available wherewith to secure a trans
fer of money, SO he moved they be
paid when funds were in hands of the
board.
Apparently surprised at this form
of a motion, Mayor Reed asked for an
explanation.
Mr.. Hurtzig replied that the appro-
priation had been exhausted, and if
the board paid the bills they would be
liable, and therefore he moved to pay
them when there was enough money.
II think we had better hear the
counsel on this before acting" said the
mayor. "The question is, can we vote
to pay bills when there is no money to
pay them with ?"
Mr.. Muir seemed prepared for the
question. He said the law was very
plain. If the account was overdrawn
they would be personally liable, and
he advised that the bills be not paid.
'But can't we pay them in anticipa-
tion of the new years appropriations
he was asked.
"The incoming board may not APP
propriate money for the police de-
partment," was the reply.
Alderman Hurting then withdrew
his motion, and substituted one to the
effect that the bills be paid when the
counsel advises that they may be
legally.
1t was, under the circumstances,
useless for any other committee to
report bills
So far as the street committee was
concerned, it had become so hardened
to passing" under the call for re-
port that it evidenced no new symp-
toms. Last year it cost over $4,000
for streets.
A report was made by the city coll
lector showing $14, ,240.4 46 uncollected
for taxes, of 1902, and S321.01 received
from railroad and canal taxes, and 81,
626.O7 for franchise for 1902.
The yearly report of chief of police
was read, showing 381 arrests made
during the year, ITO of which were
non-residents, 874 complaints entered
acted upon, 127 store doors found
open at night, 46 bicycles found and
restored to owners, 153 persons given
lodging, and 542 street lamps reported
not lighted.
A report from Chief Engineer Fox
was read, showing two alarms of fire
during the month. One from box 40,
at the residence of Mrs. o. G. Jensen,
on Mt. Kemble avenue; damage fixed
at $780, The other from box 65, to
house of Daniel Morrison; damage
slight.
AS chairman of the fire committee,
Alderman Belby offered the name of
former Mayor Quayle, for Trustee of
the Firemen's Relief Fund, in place of
G. Frank Axtell, whose term has ex-
pired. This took the usual course.
An ordinance was read providing for
the licensing of dogs. The fee was
fixed at 81. This caused some spirited
comment on part Of several aldermen,
as the amount was not entirely salts
factory Alderman Hurtzig moved
that discrimination be made against
female dogs and the fee be So. This
was thought to be excessive, and a
compromise was made on So for every
dog. The ordinance was passed. 1t
was drawn under the law which gives
the Board of Health power and pro-
vides for the appointment of dog
warden to enforce the provisions of
the ordinance. OF the money thus de-
rived, half is to go to the Health Board
and the other half to the S. p. G. A.
City Clerk Stilwell read petition
from the hackmen of this city request
ing that the present hack ordinance
be changed in order to allow them to
charge any passenger 25 cents from the
depot to any part of the town and 35.
cents to any point in Morristown be-
yond Speedwell avenue at Early street,
Washington street at Western avenue,
Court street at Ann street, on Bank,
Market and other parallel streets; at
Macculloch avenue on South street at
the Seminary, Morris street at WASH
ington's Headquarters and on Water
street at bridge of D., L. & w. X. r.
The petition was read and referred to
the ordinance committee.
An application was made by Alfred
Mansfield requesting license for
billiards and bowling at the Farmers
Hotel 1t was granted.
A communication from A. E. Voor-
hoes was read asking To have Spring