The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1908-01-07
CALDWELL.
VERONA AND
ESSEX FELLS
LITTLE HAMMER OUT
FORMER ORANGE OFFICIAL
IS "KNoCKED."
Street commissioners Reports Laughed
At-Romer Reward Ordinance
Is Laid Over.

There were some quiet knocks" handed
a former street commissioner of Orange
without mention of his name at last
nights meeting of the Orange Common
Council, when a resolution was intro
duced to cancel from the city records a
charge against John C. Conover, a resi-
dent of 81 Lincoln avenue, Orange, for
failing to clear his sidewalks of snow.
There had been assessed against the
citizen 81, S. of the amount being a penal
ty imposed for failure to clean off the
snow. Councilmen Calhoun and Seymour
explained that the former street COM
missioner had felt there was uncertainty
that a citizens. walk had been cleaned
by the city department., but that a walk
in his neighborhood had been cared for.
There was a laugh at this and Mr.. Sey-
mour announced that this style of report
was given in other instances. Tit reso-
luton was passed without further ques-
tion. Previously City Counsel Lord gave
the opinion that the penalty had been
imposed in this and other cases with
out the formaiity of a police court pro-
ceeding, and hence was invalid.
The action of the Council In authorizing
payment Of $50 10 Robert W. Howard.
concerning setting aside the award for
the pipe line right of way in the Marcus
Sayre property, South Orange, was rezcind-S
ed by resolution. A transportation of as
sessmentS for street improvements between
John Milne and Flora e. Price was au-
thorized to correct an error that had been
made in the latter's favor.
The finance committee had no report to
make on the ordinance presented last year
by Councilman Thomas A. Davis, authoriz-
Ing a reward of $500 for the capture OF
Frederick r. Romer's murderer, and the
measure was laid over to the February
meeting Councilman Cheetham wanted 1t
tabled, but Nj. Nissan, leader of the ma
Jority, moved that 1t lay over to next
month.
Following an established joke at each
meeting in the past Of fooling along with
the Orange and Passaic Valley Railway
Company, that bugaboo was again laid
o wss to or,Gin 6ga,t meeting; The measure
Crosstown road officials into living up to
their contract to give patrons some meas
ure OF good service, but the officials were
not, TO be scared, and the members laugh
each meeting night and lay it over, while
the crosstown service continues along IN
the same old way.
There was some discussion over an ordi-
nance to vacate Langdon street, south
from Morris street, which exists only ON
a map; and the measure was passed on
second reading. George Spottiswoode has
purchased all the land surrounding the
PHANTOM street and wanted even the cloud
OF a supposed map upon which the street
extension was outlined to be wiped away.
me matter will be investigated and passed
next month II all right and no other prop
erty interests are affected.
Corncumen Flnneran and Dolan were
again showered with floral tributes. The
st. Patrick's Alliance ave baskets to both
and the Fourth Ward residents sent a
message in flowers to Mr.. Dolan.
Echoes of the plan to establish a system
OF municipal stree lighting in Orange were
also heard at the meeting. The Crocker-
Wheeler Electric Company asked to be
has been compelled to give, and which
costs them $50 a year until the courts SET
ne the matter. The request was referred
10 City Counsel William A. Lord and the
street lighting committee.
In a formal opinion read at the meeting
VT: Lord advised that no portion of the
s5OO the Council agreed to give James VI.
seymour, Jr.. for his services as engineer
N the preliminary work on the plant he
paid until the Court of Errors and Appeals
had passed upon the legality of the ordi-
nance fixing the salary, The Supreme
Court, In deciding against the city in the
litigation over the plant, held that the or
finance covering Mr.. Seymour's salary was
Illegal and until this is reversed Mr.. Lord
commended the city mad no right to pay
any money.
Mr.. Lord also submitted opinions that the
Orange Valley Nurses Home was In the
class Of institutions exempt from taxation,
but told. the Council they could not remit
taxes. of last year. If any had been as
sessed, as that was the prerogative of the
county or State board of taxation. MI.
Lord also, replying to a query from Mayor
Shoenthal. said that the new police and
fire commissions should not pass on bills
covering expenditures before they assumed
office. He advised that the Council, as the
power in control of the departments of
police and fire protection, must pay all
bills contracted up to the time the COM
missioners were sworn in and relieved the
city fathers of the control.
Councilmen Nissan and -impson were
made members of the Board of School Es-
innate. Tax Assessors Mohor, Robinson
and Youmans were reappointed for three
year terms unanimously at their old SAL
aries, $500 a year.
Thu first reports of the new police and
fire commissions were made. The former
spent $6,S77.5S the first month, and the
latter A,2S3.06. The annual report for the
poor farm showed expenses of S3,351.S6
farm truck contributing a credit of $144.26.
II. B. Vaughan and Guy Decker, of
Reynolds terrace, asked reductions of their
water charges. meters on the block hav-
ing in the past shown an ability to work
even when homes were closed. The high
pressure. the citizens explained, was re-
sponsible for the expensive activities Of
the measuring apparatuses.