Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-01-03

perform 6ne QutleS Oh ono ulSH ohiiO0 va
that account. In the appointments of Conn
mittees, he said be should be guided by the
wishes Of the people as expressed in the
late election of members of Council.
MIR. Kugler moved that the chatter rules
governing the last Council be adopted for
the governments of this. Mr.. Shivers asked
that the rules be read which was done.
Then the rules were adopted.
. The care Of Strangers burial ground, on
motion of Kugler, was placed in care Of the
|street Committee when appointed ~
On motion of Mr.. Matlock, meetings Of
Council will be held on January Is, and on
alternate Tuesday evenings thereafter ex-
cept on February IL, when it will be held
on the 11th.
The abstract Of the will Of the late Joseph
Ogden was read, and the fund ordered
placed in charge of the Finance Committee
when appointed.
Mr.. Shivers moved that a committee be
appointed to await on the Mayor and see if
he has any communication to make to
Council. Messre Sbivers, Pearson and Cat
tell were appointed, and returned with the
following communication which was order
ed read:
January 1st, 1907.
To The President and Members of City Coun-
eli:
GENTLEMEN:-To-day is the commence
ment of my tenth term as Mayor. take
this opportunity to thank our citizens for
the honor and confidence reposed in me;
also tor the hearty support given me by
them in the administration of my office.
also thank City Council for the courtesy
extended to me heretofore, and hope
the same friendly feeling will exist be-
tween the new Council and myself DUR
ing the coming year.
The City Council the coming year will
have to be economical. The running ex-
penses of the city have been increased,
salaries of all the officers, except the
Mavor, have been raised, and from what
can understand, large amount OF un-
paid bills, which we're provided Tor last
year and should have been paid, Will
have to be provided for by you.
The Fire Alarm system has not been
ia satisfactory condition during the year,
nor have the boxes been pulled for the
purpose of testing, as required by ordi-
nance. Our people depend upon our
Fire Alarm system and it should be kept
in order or given up entirely. It would
be better to do away with the system
than have one that cannot be relied
upon. If our Chief of the Fire Depart
lnent. who, by ordinance, has charge OF
the system, does not have time to look
after the repairs, owing to being in busi-
ness elsewhere, and away from the city
during the day, the ordinance should be
amended, giving him power to appoint
some one to look after the system.
/ also call your attention to the fact
that there has been no annual inspection
of the Fire Department during the last
year, as the law requires. | would state
rom my personal knowledge that the
apparatus and hose in charge OF the two
fire companies in our city are kept IN
good condition, always ready Tor an lin-
mediate call, or for an inspection.
There are some supplies needed by
both of the fire companies, and they
have been recommended by the Chief IN
annual reports heretofore. The two ire
companies are emitted by ordinance to
one hundred and thirty dollars per year
for taking care of the apparatus and hose.
For the year 1906 they did not receive
their money, and the reason given by
the last Council was there was no money
in the Fire Department appropriation.
This reason is misleading to our citizens,
giving them the impression that the FIRE
Department appropriation has been used
for the benefit of the department, when
the facts are the money was transferred
to some other fund, the City Council
knowing that the one hundred and thirty
dollars was due to the companies. The
transferring of money from one fund to
another when there are legal charges
against said fund. is wrong and | believe
illegal, and should be investigated by
your honorable body.
/ would recommend that the Fire Com-
mittee when appointed, be instructed to
Investigate the subject OF steam ilre
engine for the use OF the Fire Depart
ment, and the advisability OF purchasing
one.
Our electric lights the past year have
not been satisfactory. There have been
yery few lights out. They have been
giving very poor light owing, l believe,
to the lack OF current.
The illegal narrowing of North Broad
street, at and near the city line, should
be thoroughly investigated. From my
personal investigation, | find that the
Camden, Gloucester and Woodbury. Rail-
ayCompsny have run theirsouth-bound
track over the sidewalk on the west side
Of the street, and that the West Jersey
and Seashore Railroad Company have
laid their new third track and fence ile-
eally over the sidewalk on the east side
Of the street. Iquestion the right OF the
latter company to cross public road in
the city with the third track, as they
have not legally accepted the ordinance
giving them the privilege. 1t seems to
me that circumstances have altered things
in that part of North Broad street, and
the city should alter North Broad street
from Dickerson street north to meet
them; appointing commissioners to assel
damages and benefits if the same is nee
essary. 1t is not difficult to determine