The Jersey City News

County Affairs.

Employes Dismissed Owing to Removal of Children from Snake Hill.

Turnpike Needs Electricity.

Judgments for Supplies of Former Board of Freeholders—Mr. Holmes's Thanks.

The members of the Board of Freeholders caucussed at their office for two hours yesterday afternoon before Director Holmes at 6:30 o'clock called the Board to order in the Circuit Court room at the Court House.

Much of the discussion was over the advisability of dismissing certain county employes and the Board finally decided to dispense with the services of Monitor James C. Friend and Barber Anthony Olmstead. The resolutions to dismiss them was offered by Freeholder Kuper, and explained that there would be no further need for their services after June 30 because of the almshouse having been depleted of children by the State Board of Children's Guardians taking control of that branch of the county's business.

Mrs. Emily E. Williamson, treasurer of the State Board of Children's Guardians, sent a communication in which she told of the work that had been done in providing homes for the youthful county dependents. She said that one-third of the children for whom board had to be paid this year would be on the free list next year. Thirty children had been returned and all except the defectives had been removed from the almshouse. The latter would be taken to different institutions as soon as the Governor had signed the warrants for their removal, which might be expected any day.

A protest was read from Contractors Callery & Murphy denying that the bulging wall of the Paterson Plank Road was due to faulty construction. They said they would make the necessary repairs, but would regard it as extra work.

A complaint that a culvert on Tonnele avenue, North Bergen, was out of repair was referred to the County Superintendent for investigation.

The New Jersey Trap Rock Company again called the Board's attention to the fence which blocks the old roadway into their property adjoining the county grounds at Snake Hill, and asked that it be removed. The county institutions committee must decide whether it will be or not.

The Councils of Kearny and Harrison each sent copies of resolutions passed by them asking that the Newark Turnpike in their respective towns be lighted by electricity. They said that it was necessary that this should be done on account of the heavy traffic over the road. The road committee will consider if it should be done and if so can the county spare the funds to do it now.

Over $16,000 in temporary loan bonds were ordered issued to satisfy judgments obtained by contractors who had not been paid for goods purchased by preceding boards, and Director Holmes took occasion to make a few remarks on the subject. He said:

"We know nothing about these judgments or whether the suits are defended or not. The goods were contracted for by previous boards and I think we should know from some of our counsel whether the actions have been defended."

Freeholder Kuper suggested that it would be a good idea to have counsel attach a certificate, explaining the status of the claim, to each one before it is honored.

Clerk Egan explained that all were judgments on contract bills and there could be no doubt of their validity.

The reports of Medical Superintendent Dr. George W. King and Warden Robert Ryan for the month of May were as follows:--

Asylum—Male patients, 233; female, 310; employes, 39; total, 572. Total cost of maintenance, $5,992.45; average per capita, $10.47.

Almshouse—Male adults, 304; male minors, 28; female adults, 149; female minors, 15; employes, 28; total, 534. Total cost of maintenance, $6,005.88. Average per capita, $9.84.

The following communication from Director Michael B. Holmes was received:

"Mr. Joseph Kuper, Acting Director Board of Freeholders:

"Dear Sir—Permit me to express to yourself and your colleagues my sincere gratitude for the kindly feeling which prompted you in my absence to adopt the set of resolutions I have read in the press and which express so feelingly and eloquently your sympathy with me on the death of my beloved wife.

"While the great loss I have sustained is a sad and irreparable one yet the warm sympathy and Christian spirit shown towards me by my colleagues, my friends and neighbors, the press and general public, will help lighten the great burden God in his infinite wisdom has seen fit to place on my shoulders.

"I cannot find words to properly express my deep gratitude for your kindly sympathy in the hour of my sad affliction.

"Most sincerely and gratefully yours,

MICHAEL B. HOLMES."

The Board adjourned to meet Wednesday, July 3.