Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-10-06
DEMOCRATS MAKE
REPLY TO CRITICS
West Orange Candidates Issue
Statment in Answer to
Fusion Forces.


william T.. Vosseler. Democratic
candidate for mayor of West Orange,
and the other candidates of the adj
ministration for election to the Town
Council next month today issued q
statement in reply to the platform of
the independents fusion candidates,
who are to wrestle with them for
control of the town government in the
coming election.
The statement denies that the men
of the administration now in office
we're elected on strictly party lines,
as the officials received the votes of
citizens regardless of party -aff1lia-
lions. The return of the spring cleo
tons which were instituted by Re-
publicans in New Jersey would be
welcomed by the Democrats, the lat
ter say.
OF the experimental well on the
grounds of Councilman Carl Fentz-
laff the statement tells Of the legal
requirement that a referendum of
voters must be held before any pur-
chase of land for a municipal water
plant would be legal 1t is also re-
quired that before the matter can be
intelligently considered by the voters
it is. necessary to submit to them some
definite proposition and the use OF
Mr.. Fentzlaff's property does not
mean the council must purchase the
land. the statement AYERS. The In
creased tax rate is due to the higher
cost of the town schools, which
money was authorized by the voters,
the statement declares.
The statement is in part as FOL
lows:
Il. 1t is expressly denied that those
holding office under the present ad-
ministration were elected on strictly
party lines. 1t is true that since
the adjustment of the spring cleo
ton that all candidates have been
forced to run as nominees from a
political party. The election returns
have, however, always demonstrated
that those elected received the votes
of the citizens and taxpayers OF the
town to a great extent, regardless OF
Marty Affiliations. The doing away
with the spring election was meas
ure of the Republican party at tnat
time in power in the State or New
Jersey. It's object was to secure to
That marty the political control OF the
individuai municipalities. so that
thew might be administrated in con
junction with State and county poll
tios. we should gladly welcome re-
turn of the old law providing for a
spring election.
80. In regard to the matter of an
governmental WE'LL 1t Is respectfully
contended, first. that the law PROVIDES
a referendum to the voters OF the
town before any purchase OF land can
be made for the purpose OF acqulIlng
a municipal water plant, Tnat peIore
the matter can be intelligently con-
sidered by the voters 1t is necessary
r. submit to them definite propo-
sition. In other words. whether there
does exist within the limits of the
town of West Orange an adequate
source of supply. Should the supply
he found to exceed the needs OF the
town. a proposition of joint action
with some other municipality might
then be considered.
ns. 1T is respectfully contended that
the streets of the town are In excel
lent condition, when the amount ex
pended. on the uplSeep is taken INTO
consid Grafton. The city Of Orange
has approximately thirty-four miles
of macadamizedr streets; its appro-
priation Is $4,000. In montclair there
are approximately eighty three miles
of streets, and the appropriation Is
sS3. 900, In the village of South Or
arige. with approximately twenty
four miles of streets, the appropria-
ton is $23,500. In East Orange, where
they have sixty-seven miles or streets,
they appropriate $4,000, while in West
Orange, where we have over thirty
miles to repair and keep in order, and
only appropriate $4,000. Under the
circumstances it would certainly APP
pear that the administration of the
town is extremely economical, and
that there Is absolutely no room
whatsoever for criticism
"A. The office of town scavenSer
was created by ordinance originally
in 1902, and subsequently re-created
in 1908, at which time, as recited In
the provisions of an ordinance passed
on February Is of that year, it was
found difficult or impossible to have
the work done by contract, This &C
ton was taken prior to the passage
of a certain law requiring advertise
ment for bids, and was perfectly
legal.
executive session of the Town Coun-
Gil of the town of West Orange for
years The business of the town lie
transacted at the regular meetings
thereof, held on the first and third
Tuesdays of each and every calendar
month. 1t Is impossible, within the
limited time of these meetings, to
give due consideration to all matters
which may be pending. and it has
frequently been found necessary to
have the members meet at other
times. At any such meetings, how
ever, no action has ever been taken
of any kind, whatsoever, beyond a
discussion of the subject at hand. At
all stated meetings every matter is
voted upon openly. The public is
present and is always entitled to be
heard.
UAIl NJ which As respectfully SUBJ