The Monmouth inquirer., 1920-10-21
FreehoIder William Bergen
For Re- Election.
(Contributed.)

| A public Office is the privilege Of
serving the people efficiently and
with economy. 1t is q trust imposed
by the people assuring their conf
Idence in the Office holder The political
machinery of selecting and electing
office holders before the General
I Election Laws became effective and
the Primary Election gave the people
the opportunity to select their
candidates best fitted for Office from
their own particular Party, was in
the hands of political leaders and
organizations who did the whole
thing in the name of the people.
Efficiency and fitness did not figure
in the selection, but rather the ability
in political combination and Party
Patronage. But since the people as q
whole have come into the knowledge
and exercise of political intelligence,
this organization control and seiec-
ton has fallen into disuse. Conse-
quently, each political party fully
aware of the public sentiment,
endeavors seriously to place before
the voters, the very best and capable
men.
This year two members are to be
elected to the Board of Chosen Free
holders The Republican Candidates
are the present incumbent and Direc-
tor William Bergen of BelInar and
Harry @. Borden. Mr.. Bergen's
candidacy for re election is logical as
the Republican voters, men and
women SO spoke at the Primaries
with safe majority.
William Bergen has been a Chosen
Freeholder for six years serving as
- Al, IL 1or 10
very important public Office in the
social philanthropic. business and
highway development is up to the
Freeholders. And director of such
body must be practical business
and capable man. Such is William
Bergen. His record in the Board is
that he has consistently stood by and
for the peoples interest tho his
position was not always in accord
with the political powers, that be.
His public policy has been to guide
himself by his convictions in the
interest Of the people to whom he
was responsible.
Mr.. Bergen's pra actical development
and experience proves his fitness
aside from his demonstrated
competency as a Freeholder and
Director. For twelve years, he was
District Clerk OF the Board of Eduea-
tion of Bellnar. The District Clerks
duties of any Board of Education has
to do with the business transactions,
organization and administration of
the complicated public school system
affairs. Seldom does such positions
pay salary. 1t is done out of the
intelligent conception OF educa ton
and the youths right to the same.
Twelve years of gratis services
bsspeaks any mans competency and
right to a pnblic Office. Such man is
public spirited and fully American.
For eight years, Mr.. Bergen served
as Postmaster of Belmar under
Presidents Roosevelt and Taft. From
this Federal position, he was advanc-
ed by the voters of Monmouth to the
Board of Chosen Freeholders.
As Freeholder, Mr. Bergen has
been strictly businesslike, impartial
and commonsensely economical. For
the development of Monmouth
County and the economic welfare of
its people with the minimum taxation
and expenditure has been Director
Bergen's fair policy throughout his
six years on the Board.
His personal triumph in the Board
is the erection and completion of the
County Tubercular Hospital at
Allenwood which was spersevered in by
Mrs. Lewis Thompson, one of the
leading social philanthropists in the
County. This public health achieve
ment relieves Monmouth County of
an embarrassing derslsct civic duty
and responsibility. Last Spring bids
were opened for the permanent
improvement of the road from Sea-
bright to Long Branch. A bid was
attempted to have been put through
the Board amounting to over
$500, ,000.00 which was 100000 per
mile. the road of proposed improve
ment only being three miles. Two
Republican Freeholders voted for it
and two Democrats against it. Mr..
| Bergen voted against it on the
grounds that the cost was far too
high and would be too burdensome
on the taxpayers. The people who
wanted it we're mostly Summer
residents. During the latter part of
the past Summer the matter OF put.
safe condition for travelling came up
Republicans and Democrats tied, the
Republicans against 1t and the
Democrats for ii. Mr.. Bergen voted
for it on the grounds of protecting
the County and offering to the
county through business and
commercial traffic. By delaying. the
urgent improvement would have
meant the loss of thousands of dollars
to the business interests of the county
and further would have made the
county liable for loss of life.
A public servant with such a
record deserves without saying
continuance in Office. II the voters
and citizens of Monmouth County
want efficiency in its Board OF
Chosen Fresholders, Re Elect William
Bergen on Tuesday. November snd
A man is known by his deeds.