The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-02-03
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1914

BURLINGTON county seems to be in |
need of Board of Guardians. If the
recent meeting of the Board of Free
holders is to be taken as a forerunner of
what is to follow there are troublous
times ahead and the rocks will be struck
before the year is half gone. Petty feel
ing, desire to get even, and other mo-
tives not at all laudable are evident.
This was plainly shown in the action on
arranging salaries. Harry Hawkins, Jr.,
the efficient clerk, who has done good
work and who is entitled to a salary
commensurate with his labors, was one
OF the targets. He had been faithful to
the small Board, and in order to teach
him lesson, there must be movement
to cut his pay. James Logan, engineer,
who has proved himself the man for the
position, was also shot at and his salary
was reduced. The object of this move
ment was apparent to all. 1t was with
the idea that Logan might feel that he
could not retain the position at the price
and then the old gang would put their
-~~A~ ~AA' lilo Woo EidAIiy chOWh WhCh
Joyce, the freeholder from Southampton,
announced that there were two men
willing to take the job at a reduced price,
Fortunately there were sufficient num-
Der of members who were not willing to
hand everything over to the old gang
and who did not approve of cheap labor
simply to crafty somebody's spite. De-
spite the fact that an opinion had been
rendered that Samuel C. Roberts was
legally entitled to the office of county
other man was accepted, and he was re-
cognized as the man on the job. All of
these acts show that the velvet foot con-
ceals set of claws that will scratch.
There is trouble ahead for some of the
members of the board of freeholders if
they do not watch out. Grand ..juries
are still in fashion, and the taxpayers of
Burlington county, compelled to return
to the old system of government, are
not ready to get back to the old rut of
running things. There is one point that
stands out plainly, and that is the con-
tinuance in Office of Couples, Freebooter
rom Tabernacle. The law on his in
cumbency is SO clear that schoolboy
can interpret it. 1t says that any can
didate who shall refuse or neglect to file
statement of his election expenses
shall forfeit the Office to which he was
elected. There is no doubling these
words, yet Couples is holding on to the
Office. The other members are placing
themselves in jeopardy by recognizing
Couples, who clearly has no title to the
office. In voting on bills which he has
contracted every member should insist
on being recorded in order that his po-
sition may be made clear in case of
future difficulty. Couples was indicted
for failing to file an account of his ex-
penses. He pleaded guilty, hence, under
the law, he is not entitled to a seat in
the board, and every act of his own, to-
gether with those of the members who
recognize and aid him will render them
liable to investigation. Couples should
get out, or refusing to do so, his fellow
members, for their own protection,
should decline to consider him mem
Der of the board. Things are different
now from what they were two or three
years ago. The people have had their
eyes opened and they will not go to sleep
again in a hurry. The present Board of
Freeholders will be watched closer than
any previous body has ever been looked
after They cannot fSaV thew have not
been forewarned.