Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-05-16
CITY COUNCIL IN
JUDICIAL SESSION.
Clerk EsteIl on the Rack-Froceed
ings Delayed two weeks.

There was hot hour in Council Cham
ber Tuesday evening when Mr.. Cattell was
scheduled to expose Clerk Estell in the
presence Of all the people assembled. Dur
I ing the afternoon Mr.. Cattell had issued a
clarion call for the people to gather and
witness Mr. Esselr confusion. All the
members Of Council were in their places
and there was quitesa number Of citizens,
interested spectators Of the unusual pro-
ceeding
The ball opened when Mr.. Cattell asked
privilege Of interrogasing the Solicitor as to
the suficiency Of The Clerks ordinance Of
February '07 The Solicitor replied that he
was not giving legal opinions off hand to
any extent, but he did say that he thought
that ordinance was legal enactment
| Mr.. Kugler asked the Solicitor what is
the proper proceeding in case like this.
Mr.. Cattell didn't want any ADVICE from
the Solicitor on that point. He knew what
was the proper thing to do, and we didn't
want any legal opinion about it,
Mr.. Kugler insisted on an answer to his
question, and after President Williams had
informed Council that Solicitor Rogers was
present at his request, Mr.. Cattell with
drew his objection.
I Mr.. Rogers read from past decisions in
this State on the subject and advised Coun-
Gil that it was sitting as court and must
be judicial in all its acts. The accusations
must be specifically stated, and the accused
must haye ample time to prepare defence.
II that course has not been followed, no
trial could be had now.
He then stated that Nj. Avis, counsel for
Mr.. Estell, was unanvoidably absent to-
night, and bad reonested him as an act Of
professional courtesy 20 have the case post
poned.
Mr.. Cattell protested vehemently against
such a course. He said be and every mem
ber Of Council would proteot Mr.. Estell.
ALI he wanted to do was to ask him a few
questions, which he could answer or not as
he choose.
Mr.. Pancoast moyed that the hearing be
postponed until tho Clerks counsel can be
present Mr.. Shivers suggested that May
90 would be convenient date, which Mr..
Panooast accepted.
This motion was hotly debated by Messrs.
Cattell and Clark, during which Mr.. Cat
tell gave his opinion Of legal opinions to
Council. past and present Mr.. Rogers holly
resented the reflection on himself.and when
Mr.. Pancoast' s motion came to a vote il was
adopted s to 1-Mr. Cattell voting no.
Mr.. Shivers moved that il Mr.. CattelI has
charges to make against the Clerk, be in
troduce them at the next meeting Of Coun-
Gil. Carried.
Mr. Catteli asked the Clerk TO produce
the original Clerks ordinance of December
16, '06, and thas being done, Mr.. Cattell
asked the official if that was tue original,
and was informed he believed it was.
Mr.. Clark made protest against the way
the dirt is being put back into the telephone
trenches, and moved shat a man be employ
ed by the Street committee to see that this
work is rightly done, and that the Tele-
phone Company pay the mans wages.
Carried.
Mr.. Shivers made two important mo-
tions The first requested the Solicitors
opinion as to the legality Of the Clerks
ordinance Of February, 1907, and the second,
if the ordinance fixing the Clerks salary at
$400 is still in effect.
These were adopted and Council adj
iourned.