Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-04-25
THE CHOSEN FREEROLDERS.
A County Auditor Proposed, Dom
nelly Released.

All the members were present at the
April meeting OF the County Fathers last
Thursday and much public business was
transacted.
Mr.. Ledden, Of the Aims House com
mittee, reported almost an epidemic Of
grip at the institution at Clarksboro, but
the condition was now improved. He
farther reported that the inmates were
well cared for in every respect, and ingited
investigation. He thought those who had
complain to make should file them with
the committee. Then they could be in
yestigated, and the remedy applied.
Mr.. Handle. of the same committee,
said from his investigation conditions were
very satisfactory at the County House.
Most Of the inmates were satisfied and
contented, but ID was not to be expected
that all would be-though the dissatisfied
ones could not suggest remedy.
Mr.. Ledden said he would make further
report at the annual meeting, He had
read paragraph from the 1906 report of
the Department Of Charities and Correc-
tions bearing on this subject as follows:-
The counties Of Gloucester, Passaic and
Salem maintains most Of their patients in
the State Hospitals, bnt Gloucester has ten,
Passaic thirty seven, and Salem sixteen,
cared for in the county aimsh0uses Most
of the patients were inmates Of the aims
houses, and when they became insane were
retained there in the wards prepared for
them. Salem County almshouse is unpro-
yided with proper sanitary appliances, a de-
feet which She Board OF Freeholders prom
ises to remedy, but the wards for the insane
in each Of these almshouses are clean. aud
the patients well treated aud comfortable. /
do not see any occasion for removing them.
The State pays the counties two dollars
per week foreacll insane patient, where they
are cared for in the county hospitals, and it
cared for in the State hospitals, the counties
pay the State two dullars per week, and
rlotbing bills. By referring to the figures
given above, it viii be seen what financial
advantage, II any, there is maintaining coun-
ty hospitals.
~. Mathers reported the purchase Of a
desk for the Surroeate's Office at cost Of
$45.
The discharge Of John Donnelly. on the
payment Of $10O, which was reported last
week, was the next business.
Several reports by Mr.. Livermore, lepre-
'senting the County Historical Society and
the g. A. r, were referred to the Monu-
Ement committee. to report at the annual
meeting May 8. S7
Mr.. EldIidge reported new bridge
needed at Mowers Causeway; the cost Of
which, with stone abuttments and iron
birders, would be from $500 to 500. ~
Mr. Mathers., Of the Special committee
to suggest an improved system Of county
financisting, submitted volumnious re-
port, as follows:-
Woodbury., N. j., April 16, 1907.
TO he Director and Members Of the Board Of
Chosen Freeholders Of The Comfy Of Gloa-
cester, Ne,v Jersey:
Gentlemen Your committee appointed
TO consider financial system for this Co.,
would respectfully report that we commu-
nicated with all the counties in New Jer-
sey, inquiring
/. whether they had County Auditor ?
O. If so, his salary and duties
g. II they required every bill to be made
out by and payable TO the person furnish
ing material or labor, and sworn to by said
person
A. II members Of their Board sometimes
pay cash TO laborers and mechanics for
bridge work, ETC., and put in their own bill
for reimbursement.
We received eighteen replies which are
attached herewith.
Their answers to the questions were as
follows
Five counties have Auditors. Thirteen
have not.
Fifteen answered ssyesn to the 3rd ques-
tion. one did not reply TO said question, and
one answered tyes, but not always" !" and
one answered bills sworn TO by Free
holder =
In answer to the 4bh question as to
whether members pay bills for labor, ETC.,
and include same in their own bill to
county, fourteen reported shat they did
not One reported yes. In one county
the members are allowed to draw on
County Collector on account. One county
requires receipts from Iaborers, etc. to b.
attached, and one did not reply to this
question.
Your committee respectfully recommend:
1. That County Auditor be elected BY
| this Board.
2. That receipts or vouchers must be
attanl,ad III m slenabars hills III cover all cash
items paid ont by such member for labor or
materials amounting to 81 or more.
An opinion from Hon. D. @. Watkins,
dated May 27th, 1904. at which time he
was County Solicitor, stating that this
Board has the power to appoint an Auditor,
I is herewith attached.
Your committee also submit for considers
tioD, memoranda Of the duties Of the pro-
| posed County Auditor.
Very respectfully,
ID. 7. MATHERs,
G. r FISHER,
GEO. DUDLEY WHITNEY,