Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-01-14
The Swedesboro Meadow Deal.
Communicated.

The Borough Council of SWedes-
hero still refuses to make public the
full details of the Meadow Deal, al
though one of their number acknow-
ledged that no resolution, nor ordin-
ance, had ever been passed relative
to the purchase.
1nasmuch as they have maintained
a profound silence, councilman
lately installed took the matter up
and attended the last meeting of the
body determined to demand an in
vestigation. But a few members
implicated in the illegal deal were
informed of his purpose and the meet
ing, literally attended by taxpayers,
was adjourned before the investiga-
ton could be demanded.
Although councilmen refuse to air
the transaction, it is known positively
that the meadow was purchased il
legally; and their silence together
with their action in frustrating an
investigation that is bound to come,
only serve to place them in an even
worse light before the community.
Their retreat under fire is a direct
acknowledgment of guilt, and, if
resorted to again. should lead to a
court investigation for which purpose
the taxpayers have subscribed to a
fund In the event of such proceed
ings the whole transaction would be
aired thoroughly and the Prosecutor
would be compelled to take action
upon discovery of any irregularity.
After resorting, from the first, 10
extreme means in order to keep the
taxpayers in ignorance of the meadow
y, 81 tr.<.1a ch
mismanagement and misrepresentation
of the borough funds, to say the
least-it seems deplorable that Coun-
cient intelligence to follow the letter
of the law which, it is claimed, was
passed to cover this particular deal.
While acknowledge that the deal
had not been legally transacted, one
remarked that the next
proper move would be ito go through
the whole thing over again" With
a threat of such procedure hanging
over their heads, the taxpayers should
demand the return of the $500 IL
legally extracted; and, after that, an
Injunction would prevent further ap-
9ssssfs zssc i4ee 4 ss,sA
the same purpose.
Right here it seems eminently ap-
propriate to assert that the foregoing
is not intended as a personal vitu-
peration. 1t is a just and righteous
criticism of body of public servants
who were installed in office, not for
the furtherance of their individual
interests, nor those of their friends or
relatives, but to protect the inter-
ests of the borough inhabitants col
lectively or in majority.
AS warning to the taxpayers and
voters who are interested in good gov
ernment, it is only fair to caution that
certain group of individuals mem
bers of a social organization are
scheming to rule the borough politi-
cally In fact, one of their represen-
tatives has been installed as the new
Borough Clerk. and another office
holder whose reelection comes up in
early Spring is slated for defeat, his
successor having already been chosen
by the group of would-be politi-
cal czars.
Will the conscientious, right-mind-
ed voters of the borough submit to
such dictation? These politicians
CD should transfer their operations
to a field of wider scope, for surely,
this pie" in the shape of the Borough
of Swedesboro is not sufficiently large
to accommodate such a number of
fingers
ANDREW E. BIGGS.
1-11-'09.