The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-05-10

MANY people In Burlington county read
with interest the reports made by the
committees In charge Of the various insti-
buttons with which they are connected.
The reports have always been in detail,
until this month, when the committee on
the almshouse have boiled down their re-
port to few lines, and for the first time
In long while there is nothing to show
itemized expenditures. The comparison
between the almshouse, insane asylum
and court house reports does not show
very fayorably for the former. Why was
the report cut down this time Was 1t
because the committee was unable to pre-
pare itf Was it for the reason that the data
was not at hand2 Why was it2 There
cannot be any reflection on the past or
present steward, for the committee is the
party to inspect books and render report
! as the circumstances require and justify.
The actions of the almshouse committee
seem to call for some explanation. In ad-
dition to making very unsatisfactory re-
port, the refusal to agree to the new in
ventorY is also open to criticism. If the
paper filed on Wednesday is not correct
those who did not sign 1t were entitled to
show wherein it was wrong, but not a
single word of explanation was given.
SINCE the meeting of the Board of Free
holders on Wednesday there have been
frequent expressions In favor of the
adoption of the system of commissioners
that is working so well in other counties.
The work on Wednesday gave evidence
that nothing worse than is going on could
happen, with great chances for improve
ment. At the meeting in January 1t was
decided that no new roads should be built
In the county. The finance committee
had looked into the matter and had seen
how necessary it would be to sail close to
the wind. Yet new light had been shed
since that time and the argument was used
that there would be money received from
various sources that could be used to build
one piece of road, necessary perhaps, but
which might easily be allowed to wait
until the treasury is In better condition.
The money that is In sight now was
thought of In January. in fact 1t was taken
into consideration in connection with the
budget and overdrafts on the appropriation
for last year. There were two arguments
that appeared to conflict on this road ques-
ton; one of which was that automobile
money would pay for the work, another
was that money that would come in from
the different county offices would do the
business. If the latter is correct, If there
are to be returns from that source to allow
the expenditure of $1,000, it would seem.
under present conditions, that the annual
should have profted there
by. The resembling of the resolution not
to build any more roads opens the way for
action of similar sort In other cases, and
there is no telling where the thing will
stop. OF what use is 1t to adopt resolu-
ton at one meeting and then kick 1t over
at the next 2 There is one thing very GER
tain and that is the appropriations for this
year must not be exceeded. That situation
happened last year and the Board of Free
holders was in danger of serious conse-
quences. 1t cannot expect to get off so
easily If 1t continues to do what the law
expressly forbids.