The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-02-26
WAR ON THE
FREEHOLDERS
Mr. Ely's Economical Spirit
Wakes Wrathy at Road
Commissioner Budd.
MIR. STILES FURNISHES FIGURES

Definite Obligation, but It's Liquid
alton as an Indefinite Proposition,
Also Gives His Ideas Regarding
Road Building.
Z More than thirty members of the
Morris County Agriculture Society
gathered in the County Hall last
Saturday afternoon to further dis
cuss the Mt. Freedom road and the
county finances" 1t was joyful
meeting. Nobody got hurt and no
tears were shed. Now and then
rhetroical bomb was exploded, but the
flying pieces hit no one.
Farmer John Green, of Morris
Township, was chosen chairman and
in short speech explained the pur-
pose of the meeting.
William F. Ely was the first speaker.
He started in by attacking U. S.
Senator Kean and State Commissioner
of Public Roads Henry 1. Budd.
Senator Kean, Mr.. Ely said, he under
stood was interested in the building
of the Mt. Freedom road, while Com
missioner Budd was piling up expenses
with orders for such heavy "cuts'
and ellis" Mr.. Budd, Mr.. Ely said,
was appointed to the office of State
Commissioner as Democrat, and asthe
present administration was Republican
he thought the Office should be held
by a Republican. Then Freebooter
Shonenberger, who was not present,
received scathing arraigment. Mr..
Ely stated that the Passaic Free
holder was attempting to smooth his
own pathway by laying everything
upon the shoulders of Mr.. Budd.
''But why should the Freeholde rs
stand back and allow a stranger to
say what we should have on the Mt.
Freedom road?' queried Mr.. Ely,
1--WE should have some one besides
Budd on that road
Such eloquence fired the spirit of
Israel Lum, of Madison, and, mopping
the perspiration from his brow, the
Madisonian launched out in a de-
nunciation of the Morris County
Board of Freeholders. After beauti-
full display of words, Mr.. Lum offered
a remedy for the awful financial con-
dition of the county. He said bill
had recently been drafted for the
National Government giving aid to
States for good roads. If this bill
passed Congress, Mr.. Lum thought
Morris county might go down to
Washington and get little money on
account of New Jersey.
L. o. Stiles was next to address the
farmers. Mr.. Stiles told of some
private conversation had with free
holders and ex-freeholders. He also
quoted some figures gathered from
the county collectors reports concern
ing the personal expenses of Free
holders. For one year, Mr.. Stiles
said, had cost the county $40, 1O9. .08
for freeholders' salaries. "Why,"
said Mr.. Stiles sit has got so that a
freeholder goes up and shakes hands
with the sheriff and then charges
%. Some times he shakes the sheriff.
hands six and seven times day"
| Freeholder Mills happened to enter
the meeting and was forced to run
the gauntlet. He was more success
ful than his collegue, Sronenberger,
because the farmers didn't cross
examine so acridly. At one time
things looked trifie serious when
Mr.. Mills and Mr.. Stiles warmed up
over the subject Of newspaper pap"
Augustus L. Revere was asked to
say word about the county's financial
difficulties and he made the following
address.
1.-THE funded debt Of Morris county
is now 100000 The unfunded or
floating debt" can only be estimated,
but seems to be good many thou
sand dollars in excess of the amount
stated recently by member of the
Board of Freeholders-$1 500.
"The first mentioned is represented
by bonds bearing interest at the rate
of per cent. per annum. These are
redeemable at the option of the
county in 1905 next year, at par, or at
any time thereafter up to 1885, when
they become due and payable.
"This is a definite and fixed obli
cation of the county to be paid ol
otherwise arranged for when due
There appears to be but slight pro
vision, If any, to do this The least
amount to be annually set aside as a
sinking fund would seem, say IS 900
and then eighty years would be
required to extinguish the debt, pro
1 viding that such part of the bonds az
had not been paid up to 1885 was
extended for fifty years.
Instead Of the payment of the
principal OF the debt in some manner
provided for, it would now appear
that a heavy additional floating
debt" is being piled up. largely FOL
the construction of more macadam
roads. Now this floating debt" IL
not one that should be allowed to rur
fnde0nitelv. With no provieion for III