The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1915-01-09
SURPLUS GOVERNMENT
AT SOMERS POINT
Each Party in City Council Elects
Mayor and Appoints Officers.
Court Must Decide.

Three Republican members of the
Somers Point Council, a majority of
the membership of that body, met at
noon New Years Day for reorganiza-
ton and selected James B. Cousart,
Councilman-at-large as president of
the Council for the ensuing year.
This office carries with it the preroga-
tiyes of acting Mayor, and, according
to the Republican majority, solves the
problem caused by the tie votes of
Lewis B. Matthias and Robert M. Girls
sy, candidates for the Mayoralty at
the November elections.
After selecting Mr.. Cousart as pres
ident of City Council, the three off
Gals filled all vacancies. Wilfred
Bunting was appointed Councilman in
the Second Ward, where A. A. and
J. p. Atkinson, opposing candidates
in the November election, had also
+, polled tie votes. Fred w. Gemmi was
| selected as Councilman in the First
| Ward to succeed Allen Tallman, who
was elected Freebooter at the Novem-
bef election.
To fill another vacancy of Council
man in the First Ward, caused by the
Resignation of John H. Pratt, who re-
Gently removed from the Bay City.
Jacob Barnett, was decided upon by
the Republican Councilmen. In addi-
ton to Mr.. Cousart, there were in at
tendance at the meeting Councilmen
G. E. c. Steelman and M. V. B. Scull.
Notice of the meeting was forwarded
to Councilman Thomas Birch, but he
failed to put in an appearance.
Albert c. Abbott, of Mays Landing,
was appointed City Solicitor to sue
coed Charles c. Babcock, who held the
post during the past year. The bonds
of City Clerk James E. Scull and of
the two constables elected in Novem-
Der were submitted and approved.
There was a great throng gathered in
the Council Chamber and the proceed
ings were followed throughout with
most intense interest.
No less determined than the Re-
publicans, the "City Party" officials
of Somers Point met at 8 o'clock in
the evening and effected reorganiza-
ton for the ensuing year. In attend
ance were Lewis B. Matthias, Allen
Tallman, Thomas Birch and J.. P. At
kinson, and their choice for President
of Council, was Mr.. Matthias.
This accomplished, they proceeded
to appoint A. A. Atkinson Councilman
in the Second Ward.
The next move was to reappoint
Charles C. Babcock as City Solicitor.
When this had been done Charles H.
Collins was temporarily appointed
City Clerk, and a committee was nam
ed to call upon the duly elected City
Clerk, James Scull, and ascertain
whether or not he would act as clerk
for Mr.. Matthias and his colleagues.
They carried with them the intimation
that Mr.. Collins will be appointed in
his stead if he ignores the Matthias
faction.
Before adjournment a resolution
was adopted, instructing City Treas
urer Oscar Nichols to pay TOUT no
moneys unless upon an order signed
by Mr.. Matthias and countersigned by
| the City Clerk. This will have the
effect of so tieing UP the city's finan-
ces that to the Courts will
be made Immediately necessary.
Both factions claim that their AUS
es are just and that they would be
pleased at nothing more than submit
ting their claims to the Courts. AN
of which is prophetic of exceedingly
warm times at the point" during the
next few months.