Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1912-10-22
Alderman Seaman
and Acting fH'ay0r
Vote Against.
ARGUE MATTER

Although opposed by Acting Mayor
Ferd. Garretson and Alderman F. A.
Seaman the city council at it's meet
Ing last night passed a motion that
the street commissioner advertise
for bids for the Water street pave
ment, to be received at the first
meeting in December. The action
was taken after Water street prop
erty owners had made another re-
quest for an immediate awarding Of
the contract as evidence of good
faith that the work would be done
as soon as weather conditions would
permit. Considerable discussion fol-
lowed.
The property owners secured the
vote of Alderman Samuel w. Horns
by, Republican, because he had
promised the Water street property
owners he would vote for paving the
thoroughfare as soon as possible and
had been criticized by some when 1t
seemed he turned against his prom
ise at previous meeting
Mr.. Seaman Questions Action.
Alderman F. A. Seaman, chairman
of the streets and sewers committee,
who has been working tooth and nail
on street improvements and claims
Water street has been receiving it's
share of attention, fought against
awarding the contract until next
spring, at such time when the work
could be done. When Mr.. Calvin,
aided by Aldermen Sandbeck and
Dalton, won out and had motion
passed to receive bids for the work
at the first meeting in December, Mr..
Seaman appeared angry and ques-
toned the significance in railroading
the subject through before election.
Acting Mayor Garretson stood by
Mr.. Seaman and stated he was heart
lily in favor of having the improve
ment done at the earliest date possi-
BILE, but would not favor letting the
contract at this time if the work was
not to be started until spring. He
had good reasons for his stand, he
said.
The subject was opened by Frank
J.. Antisell, Water street resident,
after all the other business of the
council had been transacted. He
asked that the council reconsider its
previous action to advertise for bids
to be received March 1, declaring
technicalities might arise, there
might be new members in the council
and the field would have to be gone
all over again to cause hinderances
when the proposition was taken up
next spring. He claimed the action
of the board hardly fair and might
be Illegal to thus carry a proposition
over and bind perhaps a new board.
He maintained the present board
should finish it's part Of the work by
advertising for bids to be received
his year.
Mr.. CALVIN Explains.
Mr.. Calvin explained his position,
stating he was heartily in favor Of
awarding the contract as soon as
possible as evidence of good faith on
the part of the board. He declared
the improvement was needed and
that the property owners should
have 1t as soon as possible. He de-
clared he did not remain away from
the previous meeting to escape ac-
ton on the proposition, as he had
been accused Of, but because of sud
den illness In his family. He made
a motion that bids be advertised for
to be received at the second meeting
in November. Mr.. Garretson an
nounced such action was probably
out of order as motion would first
have to be made to reconsider tho
previous action. Mr.. Calvin accord
fngly made motion to reconsider,
which was seconded by Mr.. Sandbeck
and carried, Mr.. Seaman being the
only member to vote mo-
After that act Mr. Seaman arose
and asked the Water street delega-
tion If they were not aware that
Water street improvements were go
ing on as rapidly as possible, if they
were not aware that the city was
spending $4,000 on the thorough
fare and if they suspected he or the
council would break promise and
not carry out the pavement work in
the spring. He said he thought his
word stood good in Perth Amboy.
Mr.. Antisell retorted that the city
was not giving Water street more
than it had to, for every municipali-
ty in the country had to look after
waterfront and riparian property, he
claimed.
"Why Force 1t Through"
Mr.. Seaman asked why the con-
tract should be forced through at
this time when it was generally ac-
knowledged that the work could not
be started this year.
Mr.. Garretson again reiterated his
stand and said he voted for reconsid-
Grafton. but would not vote for re-
ceipt of bids at this time unless the
work was to be done Immediately.
Mr.. Galvin's motion. that the
street commissioner advertise for
Continued on page 2.)