The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-11-14
PROBES CAUSE
FREEHOLDER
ACTION
Essex Board Decides Upon
Inspection Of Home Tor
EpiIeptics

An inspection of the State Home for
Epileptics at Skilman is to be made
shortly by the Board of Freeholders or
a committee representing the body.
Freeholder Harrison, who proposed the
trip at a meeting of the boards finance
committee at<he Court House yester-
day afternoon, Said the suggestion was
not prompted by the belief in any prob
ability that the home needs the boards
censorship, but because, in the light
of recent revelations concerning other
Jersey institutions, the board ought to
ascertain for a certainty hat Essex
County patients at Skilman have no
complaint to make of their treatment.
Several members of the committee
said it was two years since the county
had taken steps of inquiry concerning
what care it's epileptics are receiving.
Arrangement of the trip of inspection
n the setting of a date was delegated
to Chairman N. P. Ward. P%resenta-
ton Of a bill for the care of patients
precipitated the discussion. and pend
ing the trip payment of this will be
laid over.
Edward Schwartz, superintendent for
Newark of the Bertillon system for
Identification of criminals, came in at
the meeting for a severe %drubbing at
the hands of Freebooter Ward. Let
tiers had just been received from South
Orange and from Millburn township
committees notifying the Freeholders
Board of the public attitude in these
districts favorable to the installation
Of the Bertillon system throughout the
county.
at want to say" i~nterjected Mr..
Ward, that from careful inquiry I've
been making there appears to be a
scheme on foot to force this county's
hands In this matter. There is some
body behind this proposition showing
1t as hard as he can-I mean Mr..
Schwartz. He is the man who wants
the county system, for he would prob
ably be called to its superintendent.
He said some time ago he was after a
salary of $4,000 a veal I oppose in
stalling this system, because 1t would
cost $40, 900, and wouldn't benefit the
outlying townships much. I understand
che townships are now welcome to use
the Newark system. Newark ought to
be glad to have them. If they install
their own this city will have to pay
rs per cent. of the cost"
1t developed at the conference that
the recent election cost Essex County
$35, 900, bills to that amount growing
out of election services being pre-
sented.
County Counsel Crane has been asked to
render an opinion concerning a batch Of
bills that includes a number which were
from constables in the Sheriff's Office
for services during election day,
and it is understood came to
county Auditor conklin. THAI pffi-
il before giving his approval to the bills
ked County Counsel Crane for an opin-
as to their validity. Mr.. Conklin re-
ed this fact to the committee and
I'd attention to a law which allows
stables a stated per diem amount Of
% per day. Mr.. Crane has the matter
der advisement, but was not prepared to
nder a decision on the matter. A batch
bills from constables for extra work
ey did the night before election in deliver
IL official ballots to boards of election in
otina districts In municipalities in the
ounty outside of Newark were allowed
after some discussion. 1t was shown by
the bills that items for carriage hire had
been inserted.
The committee refused to allow a bill
of $40 from Clerk Roderman, of the County
bUdId VI EIC1NlOAcf Iva Z NANCb ShCAAAOiA
day before Judge Ten Eyck, who sat to
hear appeals Of voters who had sought to
be registered. 1t was learned that Roder-
mans original bill was for $50, but this
had been cut down to $40 by the county
auditor. Roderman receives a salary of
1900 a year, and it was stated his duties
are not of a very arduous character ex-
cept during two months Of the year. He
will have but little to do for several
months, 1t was stated.
Another bill which received attention
was that Of l.. c. Becker & Co., of S2,40O
for work of putting up and taking down
booths and of installing and removing vot-
ing machines at the election districts in the
city of Newark.
The bill for this work last year was for
2,20O. County Auditor Conklin stated he had
consulted City Clerk James f. Connolly re-
garding tfe bill. and the latter hail in
formed him the bill was a reasonable one;
1t was explained there was an additional
ward In the city, and that accounted for
the Increase over last year. All bills ex-
cept Roderman's were approved.