Pleasantville weekly press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1890-1911, 1910-03-19
POWEROF MAYORCUT
will Be the Result II We Have City Form
Of Government


the general approval that was expected
when the discussions were begun in these
columns Those favoring city govern
ment have had pretty good opportun-
ity of letting themselves go on record,
while the negative side have been by
chance reserved. One of the most pop
ular and prominent borough officials has
been interviewed for this weeks issue,
as follows:
Japhet PRICE, have discussed the
matter and read the different opinions
and versions in The Press and note that
the majority contend that a change in
our present form of government will
result in greater possibilities for Pleas
antville. Their theories SO far have
been insufficient to impress upon me
that change could do more than there
is being done or can be accomplished.
There is no reasonable doubt of the
efficiency of the borough government in
my mind.
l cannot see any benefits to be de-
rived from the talked of change. The
clamor seems to be for Improvements and
developments and self government. Can
this be accomplished with any more
dispatch under change? The present
government can do all these things and
, the matter rests with the people.
. Of course due deIiberation should be
given the subject There is good mater
ial for argument in the agitation and
both sides can and will assert the ad
vantages that can be secured. Consid
Grafton must be given to each side for
it is a complicated question. l do not
feel myself competent to discuss the
question. OF some things I am sure:
Pleasantville is going ahead; we are
progressing and improving; property
valuations are increasIng-ask the own
ers of real estate and they will corrob-
crate this statement. | will give YOU
few personal observations. Take the
cities of Absecon, Northfield and Som
crs Point for example. Are they getting
ahead of us, with their form of govern
ment? If they are it is not discernable
with the naked eye. They are taking
what is left when we get through. I'M
der their administration is their taxa
tion satisfactory? Ask resident. True,
there is way of getting over their
difficulty, by the granting of a priv
ilege that will give them the option of
bavin gone or three assessors. They have
two representatives on the board of free
holders-but what for? My impression
is that, in the near future, there will be
some legislation that will eliminate this
incongruity. Absecon, Somers Point,
Northfield and Brigantine, each have two
freeholders You know the population
of those cities. Atlantic City with ITS
population has only four freeholders.
Mayor a Nonentity
Another contention: Under city gov
ernment you elect your councilmen and
councilman large. Your mayor,
what does he become? just figure
head; nothing to dc; no voice at any
discussion at the meetings of council;
unable to make any appointments; all
this will be up to council and its exc
cutive, the gentleman large. For eX
ample: If your council should act dia
metrically to the wishes of the mayor,
make appointments unsatisfactory to
the citizens, appropriations showing cN
cessive expenditures, who would the peo-
pie jump on? Why, the mayor, of course.
| acknowledge this is an extreme in
stance, but it could happen.
The mayor, under city government,
would have nothing to do but look after
detective, police and fire departments,
and in town of this size YOU know how
arduous his duties would be. In large
cities, of course, the duties of the execu
tive are numerous and it is necessity
that he should not have to attend corln-
ell and look after all the details of his
office as they are too numerous, but it
would not apply with us, as the people
expect and look to the mayor as the one
to direct as he is held responsible for
the acts of his administration.
Another man asserts that council can
go ahead with developments and inn
provements upon their own initatiya;
they can bond without the referendum.
If that is the case, | am against city
government, first, last and all the time.
In my opinion the people should be con-
suited upon all matters where their in
terests are concerned. But this asscr-
tion is entirely wrong. | have looked
this matter up and find council has no
such authority within itself. If council
considers it necessary that the town
needs improvements and that the where
with-al to proceed can be raised through
bond issue, it can be done under our
present form of government, just os con-
yeniently and expeditiously as under
any other form of government.
Taxation would not decrease under II
change; neither would it advance. This
is something that would have to ad-
lust itself and it rests entirely upon
circumstances and conditions. There is
no reason for any one concluding that a
change in our government is going to
lower taxes.
When the people apply for a city
charter it is optional with them to state
whether they desire the councilmen to
grant licenses or the court to retain this
privilege This cuts a little figure in
the matter under discussion, as the peo-
pie have sufficient intelligence to know
where it is judiciously handled. At.the
present time we do not need more places
where liquor is dispensed. One we do
need as q convenience for the travelling
public as any fair minded person will
acknowledge.
There is one feature in the city form Of
government of which approve. 1t is
the act bearing upon the board of educa-
t;on making that hodv'g number con-