The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1906-05-01
THE CIVICS
TN SESSION
IndOrSe the FreIinghuysen Auto
Bill. The Trolley and
Sewerage Discussed.
CODIFYING THE ORDINANCES.


The Morristown Civic Association
held an interesting session in the
m, @. A. Hall on Monday evening.
President Cauldwell briefly reviewed
the work of the association since its
organization telling Of the starting of
the sewerage agitation and the subse-
quent appointment Of the commission.
The association had supported the
automobile bill passed by the late leg
islature, although some features of it
are not pleasing to all. Yet the speed
limit is restricted and power is given
for summary arrests, two points fav-
ored by tie association.
John Murray Forbes for the railroad
committee reported considerable study
on the trolley question and stated the
history Of the application and reappli-
s;ation under the new law by the Nor
ris County Traction Co. In the mat
ter OF compensation for the franchise
the committee was in favor of taxing
the cost of the roadbed and overhead
construction estimated at S92, 900 as
real estate and exacting a further stip-
ulated sum per year as the value of
the franchise. The figures of the
earnings Of the Dover division might
be taken as a basis for computing the
amount. The advice of experts has
been sought as to proper rails over
head construction. Other details such
as rates of fare outside Of the town
should be settled so as to bring busi-
uess to Morristown. In the town
limits the committee recommended a
fare Of five cents, children under six
accompanied by elders free and
lunches of tickets for school children
au reduced rates. The committee fur
ther recommended that a franchise be
granted for thirty years with no re-
newal terms specified.
After discussion participated in by
COL Dobbins, Admiral Cooper, George
3. Chisolm, Harold Griswold and Fritz
Norby, the report was adopted.
The sanitary committee reported
the appointment of the commission,
also made report on the condition of
the race along Race street made by r.
). Smith, civil engineer, who stated
that the race IS now being filed up.
e. X. Mills for the law committee
reported advice given to committees
of the association and also recommend
ed letter to the board of aldermen,
requesting that body to have the ordi-
nances codified and printed. as the
last revision was in 1884 and few peo-
pie know what ordinances are on the
books. Ex-Alderman Hurting sug-
gested an addenda stating which or
dinances are enforced and which are
not, and the letter as reported was
ordered sent.
The road committee reported efforts
being made to find a way to settle the
dust effectually. Admiral Cooper said
it is time that the sidewalk question
is taken up.
Harold Griswold Of the water COM
mittee reported the examination of
the water supply and fire department.
by the expert Of the National Board
of Fire Underwriters. The report
congratulated the fire department on
the work done and made number of
recommendation Of new hydrants. ex-
tension of the fire alarm system, ETC.,
but especially urged the appointment
of building inspector, and called at
tention to the urgent need of strin-
gent rules for the storage Of gasolene.
The membership was reported as a
little under three hundred.
President Cauldwell said that there
was one matter he desired to bring be-
fore the association, that was the pur-
ity Of the ballot in Morristown, a
matter that has been passed over for
years. The buying of votes has been
| frequently referred to and is a practice
known to exist. The association un-
der it's constitution has duty to do
in bringing this practice to an end.
If it accomplishes this it will do some
thing worth while. The matter can
be taken up by a committee now with
out any charge of partisanship being
attached to the effort. If it cannot
stand for that, it cannot do much.
Another matter in connection is to
learn from candidates what they stand
for.
Colonel Dobbins moved that COM
mittee of nine be appointed to move
in the matter.
DIR. Vaughan wanted all parties
represented on the committee, but his
amended was not seconded.
Admiral Cooper objected to the
Presidents suggestion, saying that
the association should keep entirely
out Of politics and confine it's atten-
tion to the improvement Of the physi-
cal condition Of the town and the
moral would follow. He said he mad
been here off and on since 1866 and
had been proud to boast Of Norris
town, but had learned recently that
its opportunities had been neglected
so much so that one runs a risk Of his