Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1912-03-21
THE CHOSEN FREEHOLDERs
Mr.. Thompson Insists ON Being Ad-
mitted as Member.


Director Jones called the Freehold
er together at 10 10 this morning, the
roll call showing Mr.. Usinger to be
the only absentee.
Mr.. Thompson, of Paulsboro, was
present, and asked that his name be
called
Mr.. Best said he saw no objection to
marking Mr.. Thompson present, but
not as member.
Mr.. Thompson asked that he be en-
tered as present as a member of the
Board
Mr.. Cooper said he could not bel
recognized as a member of the Board
Mr.. Thompson said since he had
met with the Board and since at its or
ganization he had been declared
member by the Solicitor, he is now,
and legal opinion upholds his view.
Mr.. Best explained how Mr. Thomp-
son had been a member of the Board
and said that it was not consistent
that the Board should go contrary to
the opinion of the county Judge. The
Court must settle this question. We
cannot do it. If Mr. Thompson wants
to establish his rights in this Board,
he must go before the courts. We are
issuing bonds and doing other busi-
ness which we must not have contest
ed in the future.
Mr.. Walton moved that this Board
refuse to recognize Messrs. Thompson
and Morgan as members, so that they
may go before the courts and get an
opinion bearing on this case. (Wotion
not seconded)
Mr.. Thompson asked if his name
was going to be called. There is no
question as to my membership. was
sworn in and the Solicitor said i was
legal member | have done business
as a member and been paid, and am
a member until | am declared not
member.
Mr.. Haines said he would second
Mr.. Walton's motion, although he is
cate business Of the Board compels
me to take this action.
Mr. Cooper said the Board would be
glad to seat them, but the law at pres
ent does not allow it.
Mr.. Hannold said it is a peculiar
position How can we put Mr.. Thomp-
son aside? Must We have some legal
process to s'get she'd of him?
Mr.. Thompson said he was satisfied
there is no i'll feeling, but since have.
acted with the Board and served on
committees T believe I am a member 3
The Township Committee and Coun-
Gil in our district would not elect my
successor. claiming that the position
was not vacant. There are Is bridg-
es in my district and unless there is
some one to attend to them there is
grave danger. | will stay till a legal
opinion makes me not member
Mr.. Walton said the Solicitor said
he is not a legal member so we must
abide by the Solicitor
Mr.. Ledden said Mr.. Thompson was
legally elected Our Solicitor at first
admitted Mr. Thompson Why didn't
he understand the law as we'll then as
he does now?
Mr.. Best explained the legal opin-
ion Judge Starr as rendered in the
Paulsboro case.
Mr.. Thompson asked Mr. Walton
how it is that $40 people in Camden
county are holding office who did the
same thing as himself Judge Starr's
opinion was that those Paulsboro
men could not file expense statements:
it was not rendered on a question of
membership.
On Mr. Best's motion, the Clerk pro-
ceeded with the reading of the minutes
Mr.. Best said that for the first time
since being pembr (22 years. we
miss Mr.. Usinger, and move that the
Clerk convey our sympathies to Mr.
Usinger. Carried
Mr.. Munyan said Aims House mat
ters are O. X.
Mr.. Porch presented the County
Roads report showing expenditures
for the past month of $1SS76 On mo-
tion of Mr.. Haines, the report was
ordered received
Mr.. Budd reported the new tenant
located in the farm house at the Bat
tlefield Park.
Mr.. Ledden reported Mr.. James, of
Glassboro, an old soldier, buried at
no county expense.
Mr. Avis, Solicitor, has come in
The situation was presented to him
by Mr.. Thompson as he outlined it
earlier in the meeting, in relation to
his membership of the Board My
ID w y Cl l1llOl HlS 1liC t~lC oQ Qpl Ci1iC SOuAL
must decide the situation, said Mr..
Thompson.
Mr.. Avis said, as look at it, he
cannot become a member I fear the
Board will be embarrassed in future
dealings if Mr.. Thompson is seated.
Judge Starr said the failure to- file
election statements in time disquali-
fed man from Office. Ny first de-
cision is at variance with Judge STAIRS
but now | cannot see how he can be ad
mitted as member of this Board.
This Board cannot say whether or not
he is member but they can recog-
nize him as member
Mr. Thompson was recognized as
member by the Board, but Judge
Stars opinion makes us change our
view. He cannot act as a member Of
the Board.
Mr. Thompson asked how he could
be considered not member of the
Board if thesBoard did not take vote.
His name had been called, at previous
mppfinpSs