Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-06-19
WALKS OUT IN HUFF
AFTER HOT DEBATE.
BeIIevilIe Councilman Is Dis
gruntled at Attitude of
Colleagues.
REFUSE TO LET MASONIC
LODGE LAY CORNERSTONE
Mayor Denison Will Officiate,
Instead, at Town Hall
Ceremonies.

As a elimination of a series of
wrangles that enlivened the meeting
of the Belleville Town Council last
night one of the members, Council
man Emil C. Mertz, walked out in
disgust when the Council refused to
| allow Belleville Lodge of Masons to
take charge of the ceremonies in con-
nection with the laying of the corner
stone for the Town Hall. Mr.. Mertz
refused to serve on a committee of
the Council to take charge of the
affair Councilman E. o. Cyphers
also refused Both are members OF
the Masonic lodge.
Mayor c. Lyman Denison will be
accorded, the honor of laying the
cornerstone, as the result of the atti-
tude assumed by Councilmen Frank
J, Carragher, George w. Daniels and
J. w Bechtoldt. This action, coming
as it did at 12:45 o'clock this morning,
broke up what promised to be one of
longest meetings ever held by that
body, which has made a record for
late sessions.
After a half dozen wrangles over
other matters, the most serious tilt
occurred when Councilman Frank J.
Cadiz brought up the question of
laying the cornerstone for the new
town building. He expected, he said,
1t would be ready for this ceremony
the early part of next month.
Councilman Cyphers Immediately
suggested that Belleville Lodge of
Masons be requested to conduct the
ceremonies. He asked that a COM
mittee be appointed to wait upon the
members of the lodge. The Masons
have been accustomed to doing this
work for ages, he commended. He went
on to explain that they had commit
tees appointed and certain ways for
conducting the ceremonies.
Mr.. Mertz thought it was a good
idea. Councilman Carragher con-
tended, however, that, as the mayor
was the highest official in the town
and his salary was but $780, the
honor attached to the laying of the
cornerstone was justly due him and
his office. He Immediately moved
that the mayor be selected to lay the
cornerstone. Mr. Daniels seconded
the motion.
Threatens to Call Public Meeting.
Mr.. Mertz was Immediately on his
feet declaring that DR.. Cyphers's mo-
ton preceded Mr. Carragher's. DR..
Cyphers thought the same and said
it had been seconded by Mr. Mertz.
Councilman Carragher denied this
and stated that if the council decided
against him he would call a public
meeting in Belleville Hall and prove
that he was right. Mr.. Cadiz then
moved that the matter be deferred
till later. This was seconded by Mr.
Mertz. Mr.. Carragher objected. and
reminded the mayor that his motion
was before the council. Mr. Daniels
urged that the question be put.
Mayor Denison stated that as he was
personally concerned in the matter
he would rather the council would
rather the council would settle the
question. Mr.. Carragher contended
that he was merely requesting his
rights as councilman, and the may
or reluctantly put the question.
Councilman Carragher, Daniels and
Bechtoldt voted in the affirmative,
while only two voices in the negative
were heard. Mayor Denison declared
Mr.. Carragher's motion carried.
Walks Out In Disgust.
Mr.. Mertz arose and with a glance
at the clock said that he did not in
tend staying there any longer.
Mr.. Carragher arose and moved
that a committee be appointed to
make preparations for the ceremonies
stone. He suggested that Councilman
Cyphers be placed on that committee.
1T refuse to act on that commit
tee" said DR.. Cyphers.
AS Councilman Mertz was making
his way to the door Councilman Car
ragher called out to him: you will
act on that committee, Mr.. Mertz,
will you not?''
IT certainly will not" replied the
latter.
Mr.. Carragher settled the matter by
moving that the council as a whole
act as the committee. This was sec
onded by Mr.. Daniels.
Mr.. Mertz was not present at this
time. The motion was carried with
no one Directing.
Tilt Over Hiring Auditors.
The first breach occurred when
Councilman Mertz, chairman of the
finance committee, reported that the
firm of Ernst e. Ernst, of New York,
had been engaged to audit the books
of the town covering the last five
years. This was opposed by Coun-
cilmen Frank e. Carragher and
George w. Daniels.
Mr.. Carragher said 1t had already
cost the Taxpayers $1,S75 for the
audit made by Town Auditor Lewis
Huxtable of former Tax Collector
Osborne's books. and he did not see
why they should be made to pay for
another audit.
Councilman Daniels asked Town
Attorney De Graw if Prosecutor
Hood had refused to receive the re-
port of Mr.. Huxtable. Mr.. De Graw
answered in the negative.
Then" said Mr.. Daniels, 1.-The for
mer audit extended over a period of
eighteen years, and II the previous
thirteen years were acceptable, why
not the last fve?"
Mr.. De Graw explained that the
prosecutor wanted more proof and
they thought 1t would be better to
engage some other men.
Mr.. Mertz said the expense involved
should not be considered, and the
council should not hesitate to spend
$4,000 when they gained $4,000 by
doing so. Mr.. Daniels said it was
not the result to be obtained, but
paying for the audit twice was what