Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1905-09-28
THE DEMOCRATIC
COUNTY CONVENTION.

In addition to the thirty accredited
delegates to the Democratic County Conyen-
tion that met in Prehrs Hall, thiscity, last
Thursday were nearly twice that number of
stalwart Democrats from the various town
ships, and many prominent Republicans Of
this city and the county were interested
spectators Of the proceedings. Mr.. G. A.
Madden, chairman Of the last County Con-
yention called the delegates to order, and
he was at once chosen temporary chairman,
and A. C. Dalton, editor Of the Newfeld
Item, temporary Secretary. The roll of
townships was called and all responded.
Monroe and Paulsboro proved that they
were entitled TO, and elected three delegates,
which made total Of 81 votes in the Con-
yention. Each township, borough and
ward was represented.
On motion, the Chairman was authorized
to appoint committees Of three on Rules,
Permanent Organization, Credentials and
Resolutions, and named the following.
Rules:-Jos T. Sickler, Charles T. Mol
ony, H. W. Lawson.
Permanent Organization: m. F. Crane,
Geo. P. Pierce, w Scott Thomson.
Resolutions:-Capt ]. F. Truitt, J. p.
Carpenter, Geo. Keehle.
A motion was made for recess to enable
the committees to report. Before this mo-
tion was adopted Jos. T. Sickler, Esq. took
the floor. He said he had some resolutions
of local character that he desired the COM
mittee on resolutions to consider and report
to the convention. He said he came from
the township in which the Aims House
and Asylum is located, and he wanted
the people to know how that institu-
tion was being conducted. He said the
Freeholders brag about how economically
they are enabled to keep the insane 81 81
per week. while the State paid the county
81 per week for their care. a half witted
man named Ryan, he said, was the cook at
S6 per month, and a half sharp colored wo-
mon. born in the institution, and who was
the mother Of some dozen or more children,
was his assistant. The food prepared by
these people, he said, was often unfit even
s for a we'll person. TO eat. He hoped persons
interested in Home Missions, would go
there and investigate the institution. He
said be made no charge against the Steward,
but the Aims Honse committee was not
doing its duty.
He said, Mr.. Avis, the Republican candi-
date for Senator, was claiming credit for Sc
curing money from the State for the care of
insane persons kept in our Asylum. The
facts didn't warrant such statements. A
Republican Board of Freeholders, he said,
had investigated this claim and reported to
the Board that nothing was due the county
on that account. A Democratic Board in
1892 appointed committee consisting Of
]. d. Carpenter, C. w. Elkinton apd FL
wood Usinger, which formulated claim OF
over So. 000 against the State. Since 1892
the county had been receiving about 81 $40
a year, and finally, about two years ago,
the old claim was coiiected. The law was
drawn by Mr.. Swackhamer, the Solicitor
OF the Democratic B ard of Freeholders, aud
Mr.. Avis only did what any other represen-
tative Of the county would be in honor
bound to do, assisted in the passage Of the
Law. Tue Board had paid Mr. swack-
hamer's fee for collecting this claim
Mr. sickler referred to the injustice Of
toll roads. All the people are heavily
taxed for county roads, yet all those re-
siding on toll roads pay toll in addition.
It wasn't fair. it isn't iust, and the Chosen
Freeholders should take steps TO see that
the inequality was not longer continued.
He then read his resolutions as follows:
We denounce the penny wise and pound
foolish policy of majority OF the Board of
Chosen Freeholders in the conduct of the
aims house and asylum, and assert that the
inmates are not receiving the care that the
people contemplate they shall receive.
We demand the purchase BY the county
Of all toll roads at reasonable price as
they impose double taxation on the peo-
ple,and recommend that Democratic Chosen
Freeholders take the initiative in its ac-
complishments.
We brand ais dishonest the effort OF the
Republican Organization to claim credit for
recovering from the state moneys long due
this county for the care Of insane patients
in our asylum because the plain facts do not
sustain them.
On motion Mr.. Sickler's resolutions were
referred to the committee on resolutions and
the convention took recess Of five minutes.
On re-convening the committee on Per-
manant organization recommended that
the temporary officers be the permanent
officers Of the convention. Adopted.
The committee on Rules recommended the
adoption Of rules Of previous conventions.
Adopted.
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