Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-04-08
OSBORNE SETTLES
WITH BELLEV|LLE
Confined from First rage.)

the amount the original audit dating
back eighteen years disclosed an al
legged shortage Of s25,257.49 In the tax
| account Various items that came up
before the Tax Adjustment Commits
sion brought this amount UP to s27-
! $3.50. 1t was upon the latter amount
that the settlement last night was
made.
A special meeting of the Town
Council was held last Saturday night
for the purpose of considering what
action should be taken. Mr.. De Graw,
who acted for the previous admins
| tratlon and who had been retained
by the present Council to complete
the negotiations, was present. Ac-
ton was deferred until last nights
meeting.
Mr.. De Graw said last night that a
modification of the former agreement
had been requested and suggested
that the Council concur in the re-
quest. He then offered the following
resolution:
Resolution Adopted.
Whereas, the special attorney for
the town in connection with shortages
in the accounts of former Collector
Arthur H. Osborne reports the re-
quest for and he recommends a
modification of the terms of settle
ment heretofore agreed upon, and
this council feeling that in view OF
the shortage. the uncertainty as to
the extent of liability Of various
bondsmen, the likelihood of litigation
with its expense and delay the set
tlement as modified should be made.
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, BY the council of the
town of Belleville, in the county of
Essex, that the special attorney, John
DeGraw, be authorized to effect set
Element, and the proper officeds Of the
town to execute and deliver sufficient
release or releases discharging the
said Arthur II. Osborne and his
bondsmen from any and all liability
by reason OF any shortage In the ac-
counts of the said Arthur H. Osborne
as officer of this town, on payment
of the sum of $4,000 cash, and upon
security being given to the town for
$4,000 additional in the form of a bond
of the said Arthur H. Osborne to the
town, conditioned upon the payment
of the said sum of $4,000, with legal
interest thereon and payable in three
years from the date hereof, and
further secured by a declaration of
trust by Charles w. Dickinson of
even date herewith in favor of Emil
G. Mertz, the said town Of Belleville
and others in respect to certain prop
erty In said town now or formerly
owned by the said Arthur II. Osborne
and Joseph Osborne"
Mr.. Dickinson is a friend of Mr..
Osborne. Mr. Mertz, who was a mem
Der of the Town Council last year.
Is president of the First National
Bank of Belleville. Joseph Osborne,
mentioned in the reso ution, Is the
former collectors brother.
Express Faith In Osborne.
The resolution was unanimously
passed. Without any comment Coun-
Gilman Cyphers presented the follow
ing resolution:
Resolved, That while any settle
ment with Arthur H. Osborne can be
nothing more than a settlement of
his civ liability and that of his said
bondsmen, and can in no way af-
feet the responsibility OF said Os-
borne to the State by reason of said
shortage or of any criminal charges
based thereon, this council wishes to
express its appreciation of ten atti-
tCde shown by the said Arthur Fl.
Osborne and his bondsmen in the en-
deaVor to satisfy the calims of the
town, and takes this opportunity to
express its belief that the said short
age has been the result of careless