New-York tribune., 1905-08-08
PATERSON ALDERMEN ACT.
TO AWAIT NEW MAYOR.
Betcher May Haze Been at Sleeps
head-No Other Cleo.

Paterson, N J.. Aug IA resolution. which was
introduced by Alderman Matthias, and which was
adopted, provided that the Board of Aldermen
grant no franchises. issue bonds any la
pility whatsoever upon the city other than that
actually needed to maintain economically the ex-
pensas of the city government until such time as
the citizens of Paterson should select chief mags
trate TO represent them in the government of the
city.
This resolution by Alderman Matthias. who is
tne leader of the Democratic minority in the Board
oi Aldermen. precipitated lively discussion at
1he regular meeting tonight The Board of Alder
men mas no power under the laws of New-Jersey
or the charter Of the city of Paterson to depose
the Mayor or to declare his Office vacant as the
charter provides that the president of the board
becomes the Acting Mayor IN the absence Of the
Mayor. and that he shall have all the power OF the
Mayor when the latter has been absent from the
city more than ten days
for time the resolution OF Alderman Matthias
preciptated political discussion which the presi-
uent OF the board vainy endeavored TO check. The
rSepubncans were, as rule, opposed the resolu-
ton Of Alderman Matthias. They contended that
many important matters involving railroad fran
chises and the of the streets would come up
ror confederation. 1t adopted by vote of
u to g.
We have lived down past misfortunes and we
can live down this declared Alderman Matthias
In discussing the absence Of Mayor BeIcher "The
questions TO come before the board tonight in
vowed franchise to a electric light company
n
Electric Railroad COMPANY
We may be dead and it NAV he wears befor.
we near from our missing Mayor" declared Alder
man Boylan, but believe that IN the interest of
the city we should forget that we have had a
traitor as our chief executive Let us pass the
resolution OF Alderman Matthias not as a political
measure in any sense but because II seems to be
d good business proposition
The adoption Of the Matthias resolution will tie
~ al city business far the adoption OF new
aancnises ana increasing the expenditures are con
~ lHeo ., until a new Mayor is elected and takes
oer was crowded with citizens of prominence but
none had any comment to make publicly on the de-
VeopiIents or the last few days.
as mayor Belcher left the city, and he will be in
vested with all the powers of Mayor when the
latter has been absent ten days.
TN ne ten DAYS Will expire Thursday at midnight
way effect the interests OF the city II was said TO-
night that Mayor BeIcner before his departura
from from the city attempted to make loans from the
city treasurer and the registrar of licenses He
talked with these officials about his financial
straits but according their statements did not
muster enough courage to make loans
Mr. Belcher could have made personal loans
put according to the city officials 1T would have
been impossible for him to have obtained money
OIL the ctys credit. The absence OF Belcher will
IN rboray no way hamper the municipal machinery
dn0t1as Kyan' diyeTyman OF Shore Road and
Police Inspector Cross, of Brooklyn yesterday
that man who put horse IN mis- stable on Satur-
day night was the image OF Mayor Belcher. This
man drove into the stable in a carriage with a
well dressed woman Saturday night and said
he wanted 70 leave it there until Sunday night.
The man and woman spent the night at a nearby
Motel He seemed rather nervous according to
until he drove off with the Sunday
night. Ryan's story will be investigated.