The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-07-18
Midsummer Meeting,

the July meeting in the Court House, o
Wednesday. All answered to roll call
The morning session was almost entire
ly devoted to the consideration of bills
The report of the committee on almshous
was the most complete ever presented.
, showed the names of the employees, tn
salaries paid, and other details of which
e the public has heretofore been kept il
ignorance. Another item in the report il
of some significance. 1t relates how wei
the harvesting has been done, how neal
everything is kept, and what particular
attention has been paid to everything in
general.
The first incident to cause discussion
was the report of the advisory bridge COM
mittee to which had been referred the
awarding of a contract to build sewer in
Chester township. This committee had
given the contract to Elwood G. Worrell,
of Moorestown, but Walter s. French, of
the same place, thought he should have
the work, as his bid was lower than that
of Worrell. A resolution was offered to
confirm the action of the committee
Mr.. Ebert moved to lay the matter over
until Mr.. French could be heard.
That gentleman being in the room it
was suggested that he be given the
privilege of the floor at once, and it was so
ordered. Mr.. French said he desired to
protest against the awarding of this con-
tract to Worrell. The resolution direct
ing the committee to advertise for bids.
provided they should do so 'in accordance
with plans and details herewith submitted.
AS fact no such plans had been presented
and when the committee met it decided to
have every bidder prepare his own plans.
Mr.. French did this at cost of $50, and
he claimed he gave better plans for $500
less than Worrell did, He also said he
would do the work as outlined in Worrell's
bid $3.50 less than that contractor bid. He
had tried to see the latter plans but the
committee refused him access to them.
French claimed that this award had not
been fairly given.
Solicitor Merritt was called upon for the
committees side of the question. He
said the case had been thoroughly heard
by Justice Garrison, before whom the APP
plication for a writ of certiorari was
argued. The testimony was exhaustive
and covered many pages of legal cap
here was presented to court, especially
the matter of each contractor being COM
PEELED to furnish his own plans. The
minute referring to the ''plans herewith
presented" was also shown to the Justice.
Mr.. Merritt read the opinion of the court,
which was to the effect that Mr. French
did not having any standing and that the
application for a writ was denied. Some
of the language used by Judge Garrison
was quite vigorous The resolution now
before the Board, the Solicitor said, was
for the purpose of having the contract
awarded so as to avoid future trouble.
Mr.. Birkhead said he denounced, as
member of the committee, and still does
denounce, the absence of plans on which
all should make their estimates. However, |
it was decided to make each bidder fur
nish his own plans. and when the figures
were all in competent engineer was
called. and it was on his judgment the
contract was awarded to Worrell.
Mr.. Ebert moved that the report be re-
jected and that the committee be directed
to prepare plans and advertise for new
bids
Solicitor Merritt thought this would only |
be inviting another lawsuit, as Mr.. Wor-
rell would probably sue to have his con-
tract honored and he would probably gain
his point. .
Mr.. Ebert said he did not believe this
contract had been legally awarded. He
did not believe the Board had right to
delegate its powers to committee.
Mr.. Brick objected to any further delay |
The county does not want any more law
suits, and Mr.. Worrell would be justified |
in bringing one if he was turned down. |
The unfortunate part in this transaction
seems to be that Messrs. French and Hill |
ton do not agree on the particular points
in controversy.
Mr.. Elbert's resolution was not seconded
and the resolution to confirm the action of
the committee was adopted by a vote of
20 to Z. The discussion on this matter
was very heated and affected some of the
members to such an extent that they had
to go out for fresh air. Brother Norcross
was among the number.
Mr. Ebert asked that his resolution be
spread upon the minutes but the Director
ruled that such procedure could not be
allowed as the resolution was not even
seconded.
George D. Worrell was given the con
tract to install steam heating plant in the
almshouse at cost of So, 475.
The asylum is to be painted and Samuel
L. Bullock was given the work for 81, $50
A resolution authorizing the clerk of the
Board to purchase typewriter at cost
not exceeding $50 was adopted.
When the committee on court house and
grounds reported the award of contract
for concrete pavement in front of the
county buildings Mr.. Ebert offered reso-
luton directing the committee to remove
the iron fence now in front of the pro-
perty.
Mr.. Brick did mot take kindly to the
idea. The fence, he argued, had been put
up at some expense. and there was no
good reason why it should BE torn down
and thrown on the scrap heap. 1t would
cost something to take it down.
Mr.. Tallman, of the committee, said he
had been asked by a large number of
people of Mount Holly to have the fence
removed.
Mr.. Ebert said it would not be long be- |
fore the fence would have to be painted |
and that cost would be more than that to
remove it.
Another argument against its removal
was that the fence was benefit to those
who rent the court house yard for picnics
and other entertainments, as the gates
could be used to keep out those who did
not pay. This was not thought to be a
good idea as there did not seem to be any
reason why the county should be at any
expense or trouble on that score 1t was
up to the occupant to see to that end.
Mr. Wittmeyer, another member of the
committee, did not think the fence must
necessarily go to junk heap. 1t could
easily be used as line fence, or in other
ways, and at his suggestion the motion