Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-12-21

charges had been preferred against
me to the city council and no time
and place for the hearing or consid-
Grafton of such charges had been
fixed by the city council.
Twelfth. Because the council has
no right at this time to proceed with
the hearing or consideration of
charges against me.
Thirteenth. Because this body is
not a legal tribunal to investigate
and hear such charges.
At the beginning of the proceed
ings Mr.. Coan would not admit SER
vice of the charges and 1t was neces-
sary to secure the chief of police
who swore to such service, on the
morning of Dec. 18th, at $40 a. m.
Counsellor Pearse explained the
objections presented merited no con-
s%ideration other than additional time
to investigate which. It was up to the
council to grant or otherwise. To
verify the claim that the matter had
been brought to the attention of the
council it was explained he montar
council 1t was explained the minutes
OF previous meetings would show
this to be a fact.
Mr.. Coan also challenged the
right of the members Of the poor
committee to set in the investiga-
ton or hearing of the charges be-
cause they being the gentlemen who
presented the charges are necessa-
rily prejudiced and biased and inca
pable of rendering a just decision.
Following the testimony Of the
chief of police, Clerk Mack was
sworn, but before he could testify
Mr.. Coan submitted another list. Of
jections to the proceedings. Mr..
Mack stated the repore he submitted
dated Aug. 10th, 1912, was the only
report that had been filed by the
overseer Of the poor.
Mr.. Stuart was next called to the
stand. Upon being questioned by
Counsellor Pearse he stated he knew
the various persons who had re-
ceived relief and also knew the num-
Der of children they had, the number
working and the approximate ages Of
all. Upon cross examination by Mr..
Coan he stated certain of this infor-
nation was obtained from reliable
sources and that absolutely he knew
lIlO / III ahu lhdI LlCJ "OlO
ually these parties children he could
not say positively, but that his state
ments were based upon reliable In
formation after an investigation.
Counsellor Pearse then called the
clerk to the stand and requested him
to read that portion of the minutes
of the meeting where the clerk was
directed to notify the overseer Of the
poor that he should issue no more
orders against the poor account un-
less under the direction of the poor
committee until further notice. Mr..
Mullane was then called to the
stand. MI. Coan objected to him
being sworn Upon advice Of council
MI. Mullane refused to answer as to
date he was appointed overseer of
the poor. He acknowledges to help
ing the various people mentioned in
the complaint, as well as some others
brought to his attention, claiming
in his Judgment they were in need
| Of assistance and his Investigations
developed that their relatives were
not in position to render the needed
assistance. His information as to
the number of children and their
ages tho fdliOu6 POI Ouo udO d5iCCu
with that presented by Mr.. Stuart.
Upon advice OF Mr.. Coan he refused
to submit his books showing certain
entries referred to. When asked as
! to why he had not made monthly re-
, ports he said he had talked to the
chairman Of the poor committee
about this and he had intimated 1t
vas all right not to make the month
ly reports; he claimed to have not
been familiar with the ordinance re-
quiring monthly reports until about
two days ago when a copy Of the or
dinance was handed to him. He
stated SO far this year he had spent
$721.07, that there were two coal
bills amounting to $12.66 and bills
amounting to probably $500 for
Tompkins home yet to come in that
were not included in this $721.07.
Summing the matter up Mr.. Null
lane stated In all the cases spoken of
the people were In his judgment in
need of relief. except one. in which
instance he claimed the party had
been receiving relief previous to him
taking office and 1t was decided by
himself and the chairman OF the
COululltleo OH pour 10 COuIlHuo tulS
relief. He admitted failing to make
monthly reports in accordance with
the provisions t the rdinance. The
matter therefre resolves itself into
whether or not the council consider
his action in according relief to GER
tain parties vas proper, in view of
the fact brought out in the investi.
| cation; whether or not his violation
of theordinance 80 far as making
monthly reports is concerned is of
sufficient moment to warrant action.
and as to how the discrepancy in the
amount expended as indicated by the
| records Of the oberseer and the
other city records can be explained.
City Solicitor Pearse stated there
were one or two records he should
like an opportunity to lok yer be-
fore going further In the case and
suggested that 1t be cntinued untfl
next meeting night, Mandoy, Dec.
%, with the understanding that 1t
would be postponed at that time un-
til Thursday evening. December %.
SP0TSW00D