Sunday, September 14, 2008

GRANTED NEW LICENSES

New York, 1895

SIXTEEN LIQUOR DEALERS FAVORED BY THE EXCISE BOARD,

The Pabst Brewing Company Overcomes the Opposition of Citizens of Woodhaven — William Bird Tries Again — Old Licenses Transferred.

The excise board of the town of Jamaica held their regular meeting at the Town Hall on Monday. Commissioner Clark presided. Sixteen licenses were granted, as follows: Frederick Hartman, Woodhaven, hotel; Queens County Jockey club, Aqueduct, saloon; Jacob Mario, Woodhaven, hotel; Charles Francis, Woodhaven, hotel; Joseph Jenny, Woodhaven, hotel; Joseph Fosbach, Union Course, hotel; M. W. Zimmerman, Woodhaven Junction, hotel; Ursia Dufiels, Woodhaven, hotel; Henry C. Friell, Clarenceville, hotel; John A. Hartman, Richmond Hill, hotel; Mary E. Gunther, Jamaica, hotel; Lewis Langenhagen, Woodhaven, hotel; John Krug, Woodhaven, hotel; William Stroh, Brooklyn Hills, saloon; Charles Niehe, Woodhaven, hotel.

The application of Henry Zimmerman of Richmond Hill, for a hotel license, was rejected.

Zimmerman — "Rejected! How is dis?"

Commissioner Clark — "Mr. Zimmerman, the objections to your having a license will be filed with your application with the town clerk, and you can see them there."

The application of the John Pabst brewing company for a hotel license for the place formerly kept by Balling, at Ozone Park, was taken up. At the last meeting of the board a communication was received from P. J. Cassidy asking the board not to license the place, and it was understood that at that time no application had been made for a license.

Commissioner Clayton. — "I protest against this place being licensed. Mr. Cassidy and others residing in the neighborhood protested against it. Those people and their protest should have the preference over a New York brewer. It is simply ignoring respectable people for one man, and he an outsider."

Commissioner Broedell. — "I have looked into this matter and find that the place is all right. It is kept better than it ever was before and I shall vote for the license."

Commissioner Clark. — "Yes, and I will vote for it."

William Bird, whose application for a hotel license on Willow street, Jamaica, was rejected at the first meeting of the board, made application for a saloon license.

Commissioner Clayton objected to granting the application and asked that it be laid over until the next meeting in order that Mrs. Pearsall, who requested Bird not to sell her husband liquor, could be present. The application was laid over.

The license of Theodore Eckert, of Woodhaven, was transferred to Charles Moller, and the license of George Lange, of Brooklyn Hills, to John Fuchs.

William Gannaunt, of Morris Park, was granted a hotel license.

For the licenses granted the treasurer received $960.

The board adjourned to meet the first Monday in August.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, July 5, 1895, p. 1.

Rockaway's New Golf House.

New York, 1895

The Rockaway hunt club's new golf house is about finished. The building is 19 by 40 feet. It is one story high and of pretty design. There are two large dressing rooms and fifty individual lockers. The house is situated near the clubhouse, and will be used by both golf and polo players.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, July 5, 1895, p. 1.

Commissioner Weeks Resigned.

New York, 1895

Townsend B. Weeks, an excise commissioner in the town of Oyster Bay, tendered his resignation on Friday. No reason was given for his action, but it is believed that the fact that his brother commissioners refused to grant his brother and son licenses had something to do with it.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, July 5, 1895, p. 1.

A Test to Discover Deep Wells.

New York, 1895

The Brooklyn city water-works, at the suggestion of the United States geological survey, has perfected plans for sinking deep wells in the southern part of this county in order to test the question as to the existence of deeper underground currents than those upon which the city now depends for its supply of water.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, July 5, 1895, p. 1.

Teachers' Examinations.

New York, 1895

School Commissioner Cooley has given notice to candidates for commissioners' certificates for teaching that he will hold examinations for first and second grade certificates in the school building at Jamaica on Thursday and Friday, August 8 and 9; for second grade certificates only at the school building of Woodhaven on Friday and Saturday, September 6 and 7, and at the Freeport school building Friday and Saturday, October 4 and 5; for the third grade certificates the second day of each of the above examinations.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, July 5, 1895, p. 1.

No Trolley for Far Rockaway.

New York, 1895

The board of trustees of Far Rockaway held another session Friday night to act on the trolley franchise application. The opposition was the most spirited of any of the meetings. J. H. Curtis called the attention of the trustees to the fact that Mr. Wyckoff, who was counsel for the trolley company, had been instrumental in having a law passed prohibiting the trolley from running on Hillside avenue, Jamaica, where his residence was. Mr. Wyckoff was stumped at this and unable to make a reply. Ex-Mayor Gilroy of New York made a short speech which was to the point, showing the disadvantages of a trolley system in Far Rockaway. He said if he thought the trolley would be introduced in the village he would sell out his property and go elsewhere. The trustees refused to grant the franchise, leaving it to the taxpayers to vote upon at the village election next fall.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, July 5, 1895, p. 1.

THE SUPERVISORS.

New York, 1895

Counselor Van Vechten Gains a Point.

THE CAUSEWAY IMPROVEMENT.

Money Appropriated to Pay for the Work.

AVERSE TO LAW SUITS.

A Big Consumption of Coal at the County Court House — Wrongful Commitment of a Lunatic to Barnum Island — Reform at the County Jail — Contract Awarded for Improvements at the County Clerk's and Surrogate's Offices — North Hempstead to Issue Bonds to Macadamize the Middle Neck Road — Dr. Mandell's Big Bill in the Sharkey Poisoning Case Recommitted.

The board of Supervisors met at the Court House on Tuesday. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The full board was present.

Constable Clark, of North Hempstead, sent in a bill for services in arresting a lunatic at Great Neck, and conveying him to Barnum Island. Chairman Wood said that if the person arrested was a lunatic he was wrongfully committed to Barnum Island. The bill was laid over.

Mr. L'Hommedieu sent in a bill for $613 for coal supplied to the Court House since February 1st, about 120 tons. The board did not know that any coal was being purchased, the order having been given by the janitor. Mr. L'Hommedieu furnished 200 tons of coal under contract prior to February 1st at $4.30 per ton. For the additional supply $4.75 is charged. The bill was referred to the Court House committee.

The janitor said that some coal was needed. The board did not see why coal should be needed in the summer time, and none was ordered.

The presentment of the Grand Jury respecting the county jail was received and read. Credit was given Sheriff Doht for the clean and orderly condition of the jail. The Grand Jury recommended that the boy and girl prisoners be separated from the older offenders, and that suitable quarters be provided for them in the upper part of the building. Supervisor Koehler said that the Court House committee had already taken action in the matter. The communication was ordered on file.

Counselor Van Vechten called the attention of the board to its refusal to audit the bill of the Long Island City illuminating company at the meeting last week at Barnum Island. He said the company had consulted him in the matter and desired him to obtain a mandamus to compel the audit of the claim. He did not want to put the county to the expense of a law suit, and he therefore came before the board to ask that the board reconsider its action and open the case so that evidence as to the validity of the claim could be presented. If on the evidence the board thought the bill should be rejected that action could be taken, and then the company could obtain a writ of certiorari to review the action of the board. Audit had been refused the bill at Counselor Wallace's suggestion.

Supervisor Denton moved to reconsider the action already had on the bill. This was carried, and the whole matter was then referred to the committee on bridges for investigation and report. Lawyers who were present wondered that the board took this action without consulting Counselor Wallace, who was present at the time.

Counselor Harrison S. Moore, for the board of Commissioners of Highways of Flushing, asked the board to take some definite action in the matter of paying for the improvement of Strong's bridge and causeway, which is nearly completed. The county, on the claim of the commissioners, is liable for one-half of the expense above $2,500, but this the board has disputed.

Mr. Moore desired the board to agree to pay, or refuse to pay, so that his clients would understand their position, and, if required to, be able to take the case to court for adjudication.

On a petition of citizens, Judge Garretson appointed a special commission to inquire into the necessity for the improvement, and the commission reported that the improvement should be made. On the approval of the report by the County Judge, the Commissioners of Highways let contracts for the work. The Commissioners of Highways of Newtown have done the same in respect to that part of the road within their town. The cost of the whole work is fixed at about $26,000.

Counselor Wallace said the matter had been referred to him, but he did not understand just what the board wanted, and he was a little in the dark still. He understood, however, from a member of the board, that the board wanted to know whether the law would compel the board to raise the money to pay for the improvement. He thought there were some objections to the proceeding, but he could not say that the objections would prevail in favor of the county. He thought the objections were such as a court should pass upon. He claimed that the estimate of cost should be fixed by the special commission, and if fixed at $2,500 the county would have to raise just one-half of that sum. The town could spend as much more as it saw fit, but the town would have to pay it all.

In reply, Mr. Moore said that Mr. Wallace did not understand the matter of dividing the expense. If Mr. Wallace was right in his view, and the estimated cost were only $2,500, then the county could not be called upon to pay one cent. It is only when the probable cost exceeds $2,500 that the county becomes liable, and then the county is liable for one-half of the cost in excess of the $2,500. This was perfectly plain.

Supervisor Koehler said that the law committee of the board had conferred with Mr. Wallace about this matter, and requested him to give the board his opinion, but he had not done so, and he thought it time that special counsel were employed to interpret for Mr. Wallace what the board required of him. He thought it inexcusable that Mr. Wallace should be without an opinion four weeks after it had been asked of him. The board acted on the advice of counsel on another matter at the last meeting, and at this meeting the board had to rescind its action. This, Mr. Koehler thought, made it look as if the county needed a better lawyer.

Mr. Wallace seemed to feel hurt by the Supervisor's remarks. he said he would put his opinion in writing in a few minutes, and did so. He advised the board not to raise one cent to pay for the improvement of the causeway. That would compel Newtown and Flushing to go to law with the county.

Supervisor Koehler asked what the total cost of the improvement would be.

Mr. Moore replied that the cost would be about $26,000. The Brooklyn City Railroad Company had promised to pay $5,000 of the cost, but the company had now gone into the hands of a receiver, and no reliance could be placed on the promise. Besides, the company had not built its railroad, and its franchise had expired.

Supervisor Pople said he had opposed the matter from the beginning. He always said that the railroad company would never pay one dollar of the expense. He had voted for a resolution some time ago declaring that the county should never pay one dollar of the expense. Now he wanted to move a reconsideration of the resolution. If there was to be a long and expensive litigation, and the county was finally to be beaten, and have to pay the money, then he was opposed to going to law.

Supervisor Koehler said that Mr. Wallace would have to defend the suit for the salary the county was paying him, that being the agreement, as he understood it.

Mr. Wallace fired up and said that Mr. Koehler's understanding was entirely at fault. He did not expect to conduct the litigated business of the county for his salary of $1,500, and would not do so. He declared that he told the board so when he accepted the position of counsel, and he supposed they understood it perfectly.

Supervisor Pople was of the opinion that a law-suit would result in the defeat of the county. Counsel for the county advised the board not to agree to raise money for the work, but his opinion did not fortify the board in that position, and to go to law only to be beaten, and lose a good deal of time, seemed to him foolish. He had opposed putting one cent of the expense on the county, although his own town was to receive the benefit, but the law was so clear that the county could be compelled to contribute to the cost that further opposition seemed to be useless. The board was not to blame for the existence of the law.

Supervisor Koehler coincided with the views of Mr. Pople. He could not see where the county would have a leg to stand on in a law suit. If Counselor Wallace was going back on his agreement with the board, and must have extra pay for litigated cases, a law suit would be an expensive thing. He was not at all satisfied with Mr. Wallace's position in the case.

Supervisor Pople offered a resolution that the board appropriate $8,500 to meet the county's share of the expense of the improvement. This was seconded by Supervisor Koehler, and it was carried.

A resolution was passed authorizing the town of North Hempstead to issue bonds in the sum of $12,000, the money to be used for macadamizing the Middle Neck road. The bonds are to bear interest at four per cent., and $1,000 of the principal is payable annually. The people of the town voted in favor of the improvement at the Spring election.

Dr. Mandel, who has a bill pending before the board for $1,200 for an analysis of the stomach of Mrs. Sharkey, of Flushing, who died from poisoning, wanted action on it. The bill had been referred to a committee, and the committee could not agree. There had been a previous analysis of the stomach by Professor Smith, who demanded $1,000 and accepted $300. There has been no statement made to the board why the second analysiS was necessary. Dr. Mandel made a statement of the time it took him to make the analysis, from September to January. The bill was then referred back to the Committee on Coroners' and Physicians' bills.

T. E. Quinn was awarded a contract at $525 for improvements at the County Clerk's and Surrogate's offices. He was the lowest bidder.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, July 5, 1895, p. 1.

Days of Naturalization.

New York, 1895

County Clerk Sutphin has notified the people that county court will be held at the Town Hall, Jamaica, on July 16, from 9 A. M. to 12 P. M., and at the court house at Long Island City on July 17 and 18, from 9 A. M. to 4 P. M., for the purpose of receiving applications for citizenship.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, July 5, 1895, p. 1.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Opposed to the Trolley.

New York, 1895

A special meeting of the trustees of Far Rockaway was held Friday night to act upon the application of the Long Island trolley company for a franchise to operate its system. Counselor Archibald Mutch appeared in behalf of those opposed to the trolley. The board decided to secure legal advice before passing on the application. Mr. Wyckoff of Jamaica appeared for the trolley company.


Queens County Circuit Court.

The Circuit court, Justice Cullen presiding, reconvened at the Court House in Long Island City on Monday. Ex-Judge Calvin made a lengthy argument to have the verdict of divorce obtained by Charles B. Crowell against his wife set aside and alimony granted pending an appeal. Justice Cullen took the papers.


No Gamblers at Rockaway.

The beach at Rockaway was crowded with excursionists on Sunday. There were about thirty thousand people on the beach. There was no excitement and the crowd was orderly. Capt. De Mott says that no gamblers have been to the beach this year.


C. F. Franklin Resigns.

Station Master Charles F. Franklin, who has been in charge of the Long Island railroad station at the Long Island City terminal, has resigned. Mr. Franklin will go to Newburg, where he has accepted a position as superintendent of a trolley road.


Teachers' Institute.

School Commissioner Cooley announces that the teachers' institute will be held at Freeport for one week commencing September 9th. Schools that intended to open between the 3rd and 9th are requested not to open earlier than the 16th.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 1.

THE VILLAGE IN A HOLE.

New York, 1895

THE WATER COMPANY MUST HAVE ITS CONTRACT EXTENDED.

Unless the Village Trustees Exercise Their Option and Buy the Company's Plant — An Important Opinion on the Subject by Counselor Monfort.

The contract between the village of Jamaica and the water company will expire September 7th, 1897, and in view of this the trustees have already discussed the question of the village thereafter owning and operating a water plant of its own. THE FARMER, at the time the discussion was going on, expressed the opinion that the terms of the present contract between the village and the water company would prevent the village from becoming a dealer in water unless the trustees purchased the plant of the company.

The question thus raised was submitted to Counselor Monfort by direction of the trustees, and he holds the same view as THE FARMER, viz: that before the village can engage in the business of supplying water it must purchase the company's plant, and, failing to do that the company is entitled to a renewal of its contract for five years, or until 1902, on the present terms. The opinion of Mr. Monfort is as follows:
To the Board of Trustees of the Village of Jamaica:
On the 23rd day of April, 1887, the Jamaica Water Supply company entered into a contract with the village of Jamaica, whereby it agreed to supply the latter with water for a term of five years from said date. At the expiration of the said five years the contract provided that the same should be renewed, at the option of the village, for another period of similar duration, and that at the expiration of the second term of five years the village should have the option of purchasing the system of water works and the appurtenances; but that in default of said purchase, said contract should be renewed for a third term of five years.

On the 7th day of September, 1892, some five mouths after the expiration of the first term stipulated for in the said contract, the company entered into a second contract with the village for supplying water to the latter from the date last mentioned until the 23rd day of April, 1897.

This latter agreement is not expressly stated to be a renewal of the first and its terms and conditions are somewhat different from those contained in the latter, but it is made to expire at the expiration of the second term of five years from the date of the original agreement and it is undoubtedly to be considered as it renewal of that contract.

The question now arises whether the water company, at the expiration of this second contract and in default of the village exercising its right to purchase, is entitled, under the original agreement, to a further renewal of its contract for a third term of five years.

Such further renewal is expressly, as has been stated, provided for in the original agreement and the company has in no way apparently forfeited or waived its right to the performance of this provision, and I am, therefore, of opinion that it may insist upon such renewal under the circumstances stated.

And such would seem to have been the view of the electors who voted for the making of the original contract with the company, for it is provided in paragraph thirteen of the specifications contained in the resolution passed at the meeting of such electors, held on the 22nd day of March, 1887, that "at the expiration of ten years after the contract" with the company is made, if the village shall not elect to purchase the works, "then the term of the contract shall be extended for five years upon the same terms, privileges and rents as for the first ten years." The company has, in my opinion, an absolute right to this third renewal unless the village, at the expiration of the current contract, exercises its option to purchase.

Dated Jamaica, N. Y., June 18th, 1895.
HENRY A. MONFORT.
It is probable that the water company will ask $150,000 for its plant. It is said that the company has expended over $100,000. If the village and the company cannot agree, the question may be referred to arbitrators.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 1.

No Stand-pipe for Flushing.

New York, 1895

The citizens of Flushing voted Tuesday on the question or bonding the village for $35,000 for the erection of a stand-pipe and making other improvements to the water system. Only taxpayers could vote. The proposition was defeated by a vote of 294 to 92.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 1.

THE NEW ELECTION LAW

New York, 1895

THE DUTIES THAT ARE IMPOSED ON TOWN OFFICERS.

Larger and Better Equipped Polling Places Must be Provided — Counselor Van Vechten Makes Some Timely Suggestions for the Guidance of Public Officers.

The new election law should be carefully studied by all public officers. Counselor Van Vechten is familiar with the law, and in the following letter he makes some valuable suggestions to town officers:

To the Editor of the Long Island Farmer:

Permit me through the columns of your paper to call the attention of the various town boards in the county, and also the attention of the common council of Long Island City, to the fact that by the act amending the election law adopted by the last legislature, it is made the duty of said town boards and common council, to designate on the first Tuesday of September, the various places in each election district in the city or town at which the meetings for the registry of voters and the elections shall be held during the year.

The act further requires that each room so designated shall be of a reasonable size, sufficient to admit and comfortably accommodate at least twenty electors at a time outside the guard rails and prohibits the designation of any building or part of a building within any part of which intoxicating liquors, ale or beer shall have been sold within prior to sixty days before such designation, if in a city, and prohibits the designation of a place other than in a city if in such room or any room adjacent thereto with a door or other passage way between the two rooms, intoxicating liquor or ale or beer has been sold within the said time.

In addition to the necessary ballot and other boxes, guard rails, voting booths and supplies therein, and the furniture of such polling place necessary for the lawful conduct of each election thereat, it is made the duty of the said town boards and common council to have placed at a distance of one hundred feet from each polling place, the necessary visible marks or barriers designated in the act under consideration as "distance markers." It is unlawful to do any electioneering between such markers and the polls. The act is silent as to what the "distance marker" shall consist of, and in the absence of any description of said distance markers, I suggest that the town boards select either a small triangular flag of red bunting to be attached to a staff and placed at the proper distance from the polls, or a sign-board upon which should be pasted or printed a notice reading "Electioneering within the limits indicated by this distance marker is prohibited by law." Flags would be cheaper as they need not be very large and the suggested color, red, is the universally accepted sign of danger. It will be necessary also that the said town boards and common council arrange with some surveyor to run a line or circle around the polling places marking the one hundred foot distance. Whether the entrance to the polling place or the centre of the room in which the election takes place should be taken as the centre or starting point for the one hundred foot distance, I am unable to state, but think and suggest that the entrance door would be a desirable starting point. Yours truly, F. H. VAN VECHTEN.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 1.

To Widen Middle Neck Road.

New York, 1895

Application has been made to Judge Garretson for permission to widen the Middle Neck road at great Neck. The object is to secure the appointment of a commission to decide from whom the land shall be taken, and fix the indemnity. The widening is necessary, if an electric railroad is to be built along the road. Twombley & Eldert have begun the work of macadamizing this road, and the proposition is to put the rails on the side of the road so they will not interfere with the improvement.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 1.

THE VACHERON CASE.

New York, 1895

The District Attorney Wants it Tried by Special Oyer and Terminer.

ALBANY, June 21. — In the Court of Sessions this morning Judge Clute overruled the demurrer in the Vacheron bribery case and held the indictment good. The Judge said that he had not written an opinion, but thought that as the indictment held that money had been taken, that was sufficient. Neither Assemblyman Vacheron nor his attorneys were present. District Attorney Burlingame objected to the absence of the attorneys for Vacheron, but the Judge said that the day for trial could be set another time. — N. Y. Sun.

ALBANY, June 25. — Assemblyman Eugene F. Vacheron, of Ozone Park, accompanied by one of his counsel, Judge Hamilton, of Albany, appeared to-day in the court of sessions, and renewed his plea of not guilty to the indictment charging him with bribery in connection with the ice-cutting bill of Assemblyman Campbell, of Brooklyn.

Judge Clute expressed the belief that all interests would be served equally well if the trial was put off until the September term of the court.

District Attorney Burlingame did not think so. He said that he intended to ask Gov. Morton to call a special court of oyer and terminer for the purpose of trying the three murderers now confined in the Albany jail and that he could arrange it so as to have the Vacheron trial come off at that session of the court. Judge Clute said he would consider the district attorney's suggestion. — Brooklyn Times.

ALBANY, N. Y., June 26 — The bribery case of Assemblyman Eugene F. Vacheron, of Ozone Park, was put over the term to-day by Judge Clute in the court of sessions, and was sent to the criminal court. District Attorney Burlingame has petitioned the governor to call a special oyer and terminer for August to try the three murderers now confined in the Albany county jail. If it is called the district attorney says that the Vacheron case will come to trial at that time. Otherwise it cannot come up until the September term. — Brooklyn Eagle.

The "pull" seems to be working in one direction, at least.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 1.

Meeting of Highway Commissioners and Audit of Bills.

New York, 1895

The highway commissioners held a meeting at their office in the Town Hall on Tuesday. Commissioner Baker presided.

The following bills were ordered paid: Vreeland & Twombly, grading and reforming Farmers avenue, $200.95; John H. Hendrickson, work on roads in district No. 2, $318.38; B. Cohn & Co., two plates for road hones, $20.25; Twombly & Eldert, grading and forming Hillside avenue, $857.75.


Raising Money to Pay for Opening a Woodhaven Street.

The town board and the highway commissioners of Jamaica met as a joint board at the Town Hall on Monday. Supervisor Everitt presided. The meeting was held for the purpose of devising means to raise the sum of $3,929.80 for the payment of land damages for the opening of Oakley avenue from Liberty avenue to University place, Woodhaven.

To raise the money the supervisor of the town must have the authority of the board of supervisors.

Supervisor Everitt and Commissioner Baker were appointed a committee to consult counsel and have the necessary papers drawn up for presentation to the county board.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 1.

The Village Trustees Order a Grade Map at a Cost of $2,000.

New York, 1895

The village trustees held an adjourned meeting Thursday evening. President Twombly presided. Trustee White was absent. The resignation of Michael. J. Carter as a member of the board was accepted, and a special election to fill the vacancy was ordered to be held on July 30.

The committee on grade map submitted their report, showing that a map of the kind contemplated by the board, exclusive of monuments, could be prepared for $2,000. The monuments would cost, set, $4 to $5 each.

On motion of Trustee Wyckoff the report of the committee was accepted and the specifications adopted, subject to such changes as may be found necessary by the committee in charge, and they are authorized to enter into a contract with Engineer McLaughlin to do all the necessary work and prepare the maps required by the specifications.

Trustee Van Allen voted against the resolution. He thought that bids should be invited for a $2,000 job, the same as for laying a crosswalk. Trustee Foley was appointed on the grade map committee in the place of Trustee Carter.

The committee on electric lighting submitted their report of the result of their investigations. Their opinion was that the employment of experts as arbitrators had been no aid to the solution of the problem, resulting in nothing but expense to both parties, and in the opinion of the committee there had been no legal ground for making any deduction in the company's bills since January 1. The committee made the following recommendations, in which it was stated the electric light company concurred:

First — That the company be refunded the aggregate amount of the deductions on bills since January 1.

Second — That a new contract be entered into with the company, beginning June 1, with the price per lamp $77.50 per year, instead of $80.

The report was accepted and the recommendations adopted.

Action upon the petition to lay sidewalks on North Washington street, Herriman avenue, and Grove street, was deferred until the village had an established grade.

Action upon the plans prepared for the new house for Woodhull hose company, in Herriman avenue, was deferred until the specifications are ready.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 1.

THE PUBLIC BUSINESS.

New York, 1895

WRETCHED CONDITION OF THE HEMPSTEAD PLANK ROAD.

The Board of Supervisors to be Asked to Take Proceedings to Condemn the Property — New Grade Map of the Village of Jamaica — Proceedings of the Highway Commissioners.

The town board of Jamaica held a meeting at the Town Hall on Friday. Supervisor Everitt presided. Justice Lester was absent.

A communication from the Long Island real estate and investment company to have water mains laid on several streets on their property, Richmond Terrace, at Richmond Hill, was referred to Justices Lott and Kissam, and Town Clerk McCook, to report at the next meeting.

Action upon the petition of Felix Gunther, Ambrose Hayes, and others, to incorporate as the Columbia fire district the unincorporated portions of the village of Richmond Hill, was deferred until the next meeting.

Highway Commissioner Baker asked if there was not some way by which the Hempstead and Jamaica plank road company could be made to keep their road in order. The commissioners, after opening the toll gates, had notified them a second time that if they did not repair the road some other action would be taken. The highway commissioners, he said, had done all they could, going so far as to request the Attorney General to take action against the company. No work was being done upon the road, which was in a horrible condition and dangerous. No toll had been collected on the road since last March.

Justice Kissam said he had been informed by one of the directors that the company would spend no more money on it. They want to sell it.

Supervisor Everitt said that the board of Supervisors would meet on Tuesday, and he would then see what could be done.

The late Excise Commissioner Bauman appeared before the board relative to his bill for services, which was laid over from the last meeting.

Justice Kissam, to whom the bill was referred, said there was no record in the excise commissioners' books of some of the meetings charged for in the bill. The book does not show the names of the members of the board that were present at any of the meetings. It was wrong to make out a bill against the town in that way, and take the time of the town board to ascertain if it was correct.

Town Clerk McCook said that the excise commissioners' book had not been in his office for the past six months, as required by law.

The bill, $59, was returned for correction.

The bill of Abraham H. Wyckoff, for services as overseer of the poor from May 2nd to June 13th, at $2 per day, $80, was ordered paid.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 1.

THE SUPERVISORS.

New York, 1895

A New County Road Law Adopted.

INCORPORATED VILLAGES INCLUDED

Everything Looks Well at Barnum Island.

TOLL BRIDGE AT LAWRENCE

The Sheriff's Bill for Clubs and Badges Referred to it a Committee — Counselor Van Vechten Wins a $27,000 Law Suit — A Complaint from Little Neck — Audit Refused a Bill for Electric Power at the Hunter's Point Bridge — Counselor Wallace Prepares a New Apportionment Certificate to Correct an Error

The board of Supervisors met at Barnum Island on Tuesday and made an inspection of the county buildings, which were found clean and in good order. Everything about the place looked shipshape, and the growing crops are very promising. The new building for the keeper and the administrative officers is progressing. There is an absence of trees, a fact which did not escape the attention of the Supervisors, and these will probably be supplied. Some time ago Supervisor Denton set out a couple of young silver maples that he grew from the seed, and they are doing finely. The Rev. Dr. Smith, of St. George's church at Flushing, was present as the county's guest, on the invitation of Supervisor Pople. Dr. Smith was interested in the development of Barnum Island as a home for the poor years ago, and he was much pleased with what has been accomplished. Charles L. Phipps and Judge-elect Wheeler were also present. Mr. Phipps received a pleasant greeting from everybody.

The full board was present. Supervisor Koehler opened the proceedings by inquiring what action had been taken on a bill for badges and clubs, purchased by Sheriff Doht for the use of his deputies, amounting to about $200. The bill was presented in January, and referred to the committee on Sheriff's and Constables' bills, but seemed to have gone astray. Supervisor Koehler presented duplicate bills, and they were referred to the proper committee.

Counselor Wallace presented a bill for $500 for fourth months' legal services, and it was audited.

Counselor Ingraham, of Hempstead, presented a petition for the board's approval, having relation to the construction of a bridge across Rockaway inlet at Lawrence. A number of gentlemen having summer houses at Lawrence leased a piece of ocean beach from the town of Hempstead, to enjoy surf bathing, but to reach the beach they had to build a road and a bridge, at their own expense. The bridge has a draw, and is completed, and the road is nearly completed. The War Department has orally consented to the bridging of the channel, but requested that the consent of the Supervisors be obtained, as the statute requires, before giving written approval. A toll of five cents a person is to be charged to defray the expense of maintaining the bridge and paying a keeper; but vehicles may cross free.

Supervisor Wood said there was no objection to granting all that Counselor Ingraham asked of the board, and on his motion, seconded by Supervisor Underhill, the necessary resolution was unanimously adopted.

Supervisor Koehler called attention to the insurance on the county court house, which had been effected by Mr. Quinlan, of Flushing, the premium being something over $600. Mr. Koehler said that the building being in Long Island City, and the insurance companies having agents there, one of them should have the business, and it would be better for the county. He believed that Mr. Quinlan would gladly relinquish the business. The matter was referred to the Court House committee.

Supervisor Pople called to the attention of the board a complaint of a nuisance that had been made to him by Mr. Hewlett, of Little Neck, whose land is flooded with water at every storm from the county road that runs past his door. Mr. Hewlett threatened to throw up an embankment to protect his property, and if he did so the water would flood the premises of David L. Van Nostrand. Mr. Pople had called County Engineer McLaughlin's attention to it, and he had made an inspection of the road with a view to providing a remedy. Mr. McLaughlin said that it would be necessary to lay an 18-inch cement pipe a distance of 600 feet to carry off the water and it would cost $450. That would give complete relief. The County Road committee were directed to take the matter in charge.

Supervisor Denton offered a resolution directing the county treasurer to pay on July 2d the salaries of the superintendents of the poor for the quarter's services ending June 30th. It was adopted.

Supervisor Koehler called up the bills of the Long Island City electric illuminating company, and asked for action one way or the other on them. The bills had been referred to Counselor Wallace for his opinion as to the county's liability. The county entered into a contract with the company to supply electric power for operating the draw-bridge over Newtown Creek at Hunter's Point, the county having previously put in a motor at an expense of $2,000. The first time that power was applied to the motor it sent the bridge spinning around at a 2.40 clip, and so much damage was done that the motor has never been used since. The company claims $769.77. President Tyrrell said that the company had supplied the power right along as required by the contract.

Counselor Wallace said he was not in possession of sufficient information to enable him to give an opinion as to the county's liability. The contract was binding on the county if the company had lived up to its conditions. Mr. Wallace could not decide that question. It would be an easy and cheap way of settling the question for the company to sue out a mandamus against the Supervisors, but before that could be done, the board must reject the claim. Acting on this advice, Supervisor Denton moved to disallow the company's claim, and the motion was seconded by Supervisor Underhill, and carried.

Counselor Wallace, in response to a resolution adopted by the board at its last meeting, presented a draft of an act defining the highways that are to be embraced in the county road system under the new county road law. The list includes all of the highways heretofore taken in, and adds thereto the North turnpike in North Hempstead and Oyster Bay, the Merrick road, Broadway and Flushing avenues in the village of Jamaica, and that part of the Merrick road in the village of Rockville Centre, roads within incorporated villages being no longer exempt.

Supervisor Koehler said he could not vote intelligently on the resolution without having before him a map showing the lines of the roads and their relative importance to public travel. He understood that some roads, so-called, but which were mere lanes, were included as county roads, and he wanted to object to it. Supervisor Wood said he believed that some of the roads specified were not properly county roads, and he instanced Flushing avenue and Locust avenue in Jamaica. Supervisor Koehler wanted action deferred on the resolution for a week, by which time the County Engineer could have a proper map prepared, and he made a motion to that effect, amending the original resolution, which Supervisor Denton seconded, saying that no harm could follow a week's delay.

Supervisor Everitt objected to delay. He said that Broadway, in the village of Richmond Hill, was in such bad shape as to need instant attention. No work had been done on that particular piece of road for some time, the incorporation of Richmond Hill as a village having taken it out of the county road system. The new resolution and the new county law restores the road to the county system, and it should be put in order at once.

A vote was taken on Mr. Koehler's amendment and it was lost — 4 to 3. The original resolution offered by Mr. Denton was then adopted by a vote of 5 to 2.

A communication was received from the Secretary of State saying that the certificate apportioning the county into assembly districts was defective in that it did not state the population of each district. Counselor Wallace had already prepared a new certificate correcting the error, and, on motion of Supervisor Denton, seconded by Supervisor Underhill, the now certificate was adopted and substituted for the old one, Supervisors Everitt and Siebs voting in the negative.

Counselor Van Vechten notified the board that he had won for the county the suit brought against it by Dean & Westbrook, under the contract to build the Meeker avenue bridge, to recover $44,917.20 balance claimed to be due under the contract, and also to recover the sum of $13,719.39 damages. In the same action they also sought to recover $11,000 damages for being prevented from building the bridge expeditiously. Interest was also claimed by the contractors, and the whole amount involved in the suit was about $75,000, including interest. The issues were tried before Judge Allison as referee, and the testimony covers 466 type-written pages. On the second and third causes of action, involving $27,000, Judge Allison has given judgment for the county. The action to recover $44,917.20 balance due under the contract is still pending and will be tried in October. Mr. Van Vechten expects to win this case for the county also. In all of the actions brought against the county, involving over $350,000, Mr. Van Vechten lost but one, that of Myers, who sued for $10,000 and got a verdict for but $250.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 1.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

To Rise from Its Ashes.

New York, 1895

The Vulcanite company, whose large factory at Breslau was destroyed by fire, will rebuild at once on the same site. The new building will be 150x40 feet.


Lawyer Kelly at the Pines.

W. J. Kelly, counsel to the Long Island railroad company, Mrs. Kelly, and two children arrived at the Pines, Amagansett, on Saturday.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 8.

Better Accommodations at the Jail.

New York, 1895

The Grand Jury which adjourned on Tuesday made an inspection of the county jail and filed the following presentment with the court:

The grand jury respectfully report that they have visited the jail and have found everything in excellent condition. They especially desire to commend the cleanliness and good order prevailing in each department and they feel that praise is due to the sheriff for his excellent management.

The jury desires to call the attention of the court to the fact that boys and girls are now confined in the apartments occupied by the older prisoners, to the danger of their health and morals. As there is ample room in the upper part of the jail, the grand jury would recommend that the board of Supervisors fit up rooms where the youth of both sexes may be confined while inmates of the jail.

The grand jury believe that the moral and physical welfare of the inmates of the jail should be considered through some system by which they could be furnished with steady employment.

BENJAMIN C. D. HICKS,
Foreman.
W. BURLING COCKS, Secretary.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 8.

REPUBLICANS SPLIT IN TWO.

New York, 1895

Party Success This Fall Threatened in Long Island City.

A prominent Republican of Long Island City sends the following communication to THE FARMER:

To the Editor of the Long Island Farmer:

The Democrats of Long Island City have had two parties with regular organizations and committees, and now the Republicans have split into two parties with two general committees. Last Fall the Burden wing of the party controlled the general committee and captured the primaries, and Dowling and Manley were ordered out. After Burden's defeat for Assembly the Burden organization weakened for a while and the Dowling contingent, with the aid of Henry C. Johnson, elected a new committee, thinking this would give them the power.

It appears that they forgot to read the constitution, and now City Treasurer Lucien Knapp proposes to test the validity of his pet law. he therefore has called the General Committee of 1894 together and organized them under the following article of the constitution : "Art. VIII. — The members of the several Town and City Committees now in office shall continue to hold office up to and until January 1st, 1896." If the English language means anything, the Knapp General Committee holds the fort, and if Henry C. Johnson wants to run for Senator, he had better get his harmony committee at work.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 8.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Normal School Board Meeting.

New York, 1895

At a meeting of the local board of managers of the Jamaica normal school on Friday, the matter of plans for the school under the new law was discussed. The law authorizes the Capitol Commission to prepare plans and act as architect for all buildings paid for by the state. On motion, the Hon. Richard C. McCormick and John R. Reid wore appointed a committee to prepare an address to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, requesting him to have the Attorney General examine into the matter, and ask his immediate attention to it in order that the commission may proceed with the work.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 8.

Mr. Everitt for Assemblyman.

New York, 1895

The Democratic friends of Supervisor William E. Everitt, of Jamaica, say that he would make an excellent candidate for the Assembly nomination in the new Second District — Jamaica and Flushing — which is said to be a doubtful district. Mr. Everitt's friends claim that he is very popular in Jamaica and can carry that town by a large majority. They are already hustling for him. — L. I. City Herald.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 8.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

The Indicted Assemblyman.

New York, 1895

Judge Clute has decided that the indictment charging Assemblyman Vacheron with being a bribe taker is good in law, and, therefore, the accused will have to stand his trial unless the men who have been trying to aid him succeed in getting it staved off. The desire of Vacheron and his counsel to secure delay was successful. That delay was what they were after was shown by the absence of Vacheron and his counsel from the court room when Judge Clute rendered his decision on the demurrer. District Attorney Burlingame protested against their absence, because it prevented a day being fixed for the trial, and the matter will have to come up again on notice, so that it is hardly probable that the trial can be held before the Fall. The whole purpose of the defense so far has been to secure delay. Time is valuable. It is always possible that a witness may die, or go crazy, or leave the country.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 4.

The Corrupt Legislature.

New York, 1895

Republicans of good character never quarrel with the high-minded views of Harper's Weekly because the paper represents the highest and truest type of Republicanism and stands for the best interests of the party and for good government. The Republican legislature is severely dealt with in the last issue of the paper, and an appeal is made to the people of the state to elect a legislature of honest men to complete the work of reform. "The task that was left to the Legislature," says Harper's, "was not performed. The rascals at Albany did their best to arrange the laws in such a manner that if the boys ever do return to power in the city the good citizens will not again be able to drive them out without meeting even greater difficulties than they encountered last fall." This is true enough.

"At the coming elections," it says, "it will be for the people of the country to show that they can be as virtuous as the people of the city have been. Dr. Parkhurst urges them to "set back-fires" in certain counties. No better advice can be followed. Certainly Lexow, Robertson, Coggeshall, O'Connor, Reynolds, ought not to be members of the new Senate. Indeed, it would be difficult to point out a Senator who ought to be reelected. In the new Assembly, with a few honorable exceptions, every old member from Fish down should be defeated."

Harper's argues that "the thorough renovation of the Legislature is what the people of the state owe to the city as well as to the general cause of good government. If the rural districts cannot accomplish the overthrow of the men who prevented the consummation of municipal reform in this city, the rural voters are not as virtuous as the city's voters. The voters of the state are on trial, and it is to be hoped that they will come out of the ordeal as well as the city came out of its ordeal last fall. Bad assemblymen were elected because the people were too intent on the municipal and gubernatorial elections to guard against the nomination of bad men for the legislature."

"This year they need think of nothing else but legislators, and they have the power to defeat the gang that disgraced them at Albany quite as effectually as they thrashed Hill and Croker and Platt. If the reformers organize throughout the state they can teach Lexow, Coggeshall, Fish, and the others a lesson that they will not soon forget. The party that will nominate good men for the senate and assembly will defeat the party that nominates bad men. And this being so, the Democrats have as good a chance as the Republicans to elect a majority of the new legislature, and it will be wise for both parties to remember that the new senate will vote for the next United States senator."

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 4.

Editorials without Headlines (June 28, 1895)

New York, 1895

The way to get control of the Hempstead and Jamaica road is to buy it and add it to the county road system. A few thousand dollars should not be allowed to stand in the way.


Good Government clubs seem able to accomplish desirable results everywhere except in Jamaica.


The Long Island City Herald has this item of news:
City Treasurer Lucien Knapp declined to settle back taxes at two per cent. as provided by the law passed by the last Legislature. It is understood that he regards the law as unconstitutional.
A constitutional objection has also been raised to the arrears act passed for Queens county. The law permits property now in arrears for taxes to escape from a lien by paying such a percentage of the tax as a commission shall be willing to accept. For instance, where $100 is due $10 may be accepted, and that act throws $90 back on the body of the taxpayers, to be paid by them in the next tax levy, the county being now bonded for the full amount of the arrears. Every piece of property that is worth the amount of the tax should be made to pay in full. If any other course is followed the law should be attacked. We think Mr. Knapp has done right. Criticism of the county commission will have to await their action. They are a sensible body of men and not likely to put a burden on prompt tax-payers for the benefit of the laggards.

Supervisor Augustus Denton, of North Hempstead, is said to he a candidate for Assembly honors in the new Third district, consisting of the towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay. — L. I. City Herald.
If there is in the district a better man for the office we do not know him. Mr. Denton is a man of sterling integrity, and the public interests would be perfectly safe in his care. By all means, nominate him and elect him.


As we are to have a special village election, why not submit to the voters a proposition to raise $50,000 for the improvement of the village streets on the lines adopted by the village of Flushing! After having raised $400,000 to improve town roads, the village should not rest until every street is made a joy to the eye. It can do no harm to lot the people express their views on the subject.


The teachers' institute should be abolished in this county. It is a time-killing, useless thing. Teachers who are qualified for their work have no use for it. Those not qualified should go to the normal school and prepare themselves. Holding the institute in the fall is better than holding it in the spring, and for the change Commissioner Cooley should be thanked.

Townsend Scudder, of Glen Head, is spoken of as a probable candidate for the Democratic nomination for State Senator next fall. — Brooklyn Times.
A most excellent choice it would be. Mr. Scudder stands in the front rank of citizenship. Democracy would honor itself by honoring him.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 4.

The Row In the Republican Party.

New York, 1895

A row has been kicked up in the Republican party over the appointment of the Glen Cove Gazette as an official paper. The Standard had to be thrown overboard because it had become dishonest and corrupt, having failed in one instance to swindle the county, and having actually swindled the county in other instances, so the Supervisors, at the suggestion of Mr. Youngs, selected the Gazette, an eminently respectable newspaper and having a good circulation. The Long Island City Herald, which has taken rank as the leading Republican paper, takes issue with the appointment on the ground that the Gazette is not and never was a party paper. A nice question is thereby raised. Mr. Youngs ought to know the politics of the Gazette, for he has been a contributor to it, and if he did not consider it Republican in character it is hardly likely that he would have recommended the paper to a Republican board of Supervisors; and the board, not unreasonably, may have relied on his judgment, and thought that he represented the county committee in the matter, as he had in other matters, so that, if a mistake was made, the blame does not rest with the Supervisors.

This question engaged the attention of the county committee at its last meeting. Lucien Knapp offered and the committee adopted the following resolution:
Resolved, That the action of the Board of Supervisors in appointing the Glen Cove Gazette an official paper representing the Republican party in Queens County is not in accordance with the law, and the Republican County Committee hereby disapproves of such appointment or designation as against the interests of the party and unjust to our regular Republican newspapers.
Subsequently there was a conference about the effect of the resolution. It was held to be a censure of Mr. Youngs, who had induced the action of the Supervisors, and then the resolution was reconsidered and expunged, but, nevertheless, the committee is on record against Mr. Youngs in spite of the death of the resolution. Both the committee and the Herald are somewhat astray in the promises. The appointment of the Gazette is sound in law, for it has not been appointed the official paper, that distinction having been accorded the Flushing Times, and Mr. Youngs gave the board of Supervisors no irregular or questionable advice in the case of the Gazette.

The Herald discusses the action of the committee somewhat bitterly, styling it "cowardly." The Herald's wrath goes to the extent of a personal attack on Mr. Youngs, who, it says, was twice blackballed by the Lincoln Club of Long Island City, a representative Republican organization, and the further statement is made that there is in existence a letter written by one of the most prominent Republicans of the state which seriously impugns Mr. Youngs' Republicanism and his motives for being in politics at all. This may be all very true, but the blackballing of a man is but the malicious expression of a few narrow-minded persons, usually the inferiors of the object of their animosity, and in this case has no significance whatever, for William J. Youngs is certainly the peer of any man in the Lincoln club.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 4.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Mr. Clary Gets a Contract.

New York, 1895

Bids were opened on Tuesday by the County Road Committee of the board of Supervisors for constructing a brick arch over Train's meadow brook, Jackson avenue, Newtown. Six bids were received: Tuohy & Co , $11.50 per lineal foot; Dennis Sullivan, $10 per lineal foot; Thomas Styles, $9 per lineal foot; Roden & Wise, $8.75 per lineal foot; Thomas W. Clary, $7.39 per lineal foot. The bid of Michael Wolf was thrown out. The contract was awarded to Thomas W. Clary, of Jamaica.


Resignation of Trustee Carter.

Michael J. Carter has tendered his resignation as one of the village trustees. For some time Mr. Carter has held a position under the U. S. Government as superintendent of the telephone service connecting the life saving stations on the Long Island coast, and the government requires that he shall give his entire time to that service, hence his resignation as trustee.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 8.

Meeting of the Town Board.

New York, 1895

The town board of Jamaica held a meeting at the Town Hall on Friday. Supervisor Everitt presided. Justice Lester was absent. Bids were opened for filling the cellars on the property recently acquired by the town for Town Hall purposes, and for grading the ground, as follows: John H. Valentine, $375; Robert Scott, $323; George Marshall, $300; Thomas Clary, $643. The contract was awarded to George Marshall.

The committee on fence for the park adjoining the Town Hall reported progress.

The following bills were ordered paid: Jamaica gas company, month of May, $17.19; Hugh J. Swift, constable, $41.40.

The bill of Henry Bauman, for services as excise commissioner, $54, was laid over, the charges in the bill for attending meetings of the board of excise not agreeing with the commissioners' books.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 8.

Chance to Secure Public Work.

New York, 1895

The Supervisors committee on County Clerk's and Surrogate's offices, Messrs. Everitt, Pople and Underhill has decided to put a system of hot water heating in the building and bids for the work will be received by either of the Supervisors up to 10 o'clock on the morning of July 10, when the bids will be opened, at the County Clerk's office. See advertisement in THE FARMER.

The committee has also decided to do some painting and kalsomining in the County Clerk's and Surrogate's offices, and bids will be received for the work up to 10 o'clock in the morning of June 27th, at the County Clerk's office. See advertisement in THE FARMER.


A Restriction Removed.

The order recently made by Judge Cullen relative to the sale of two houses in Jamaica owned by Mary A. Johnson, a lunatic, contained the provision that the Fulton street house must not be sold for less than $4,000 and the cottage in Washington street for not less than $1,500. John O'Donnell, who has charge of the property, considered that the restriction was prejudicial to the sale. Represented by Counselor Fleming, he moved that the order be relieved of the restriction. Judge Cullen granted the motion.


Mr. McCormick Asked to Stay.

At a meeting of the board of managers of the Jamaica normal school on Friday, the members unanimously requested Hon. Richard C. McCormick to reconsider his resignation. According to a new law, the plans for the school building have now to be submitted to the members of the new capital commission.


Out of Old Yale With Honors.

George L. Peck, Jr., son of George L. Peck of Jamaica, who recently graduated from the Yale law school at New Haven, passed an examination before the Connecticut Bar Association on Monday and was admitted to the practice of the law.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 8.

Meeting of Highway Commissioners.

New York, 1895

The Jamaica highway commissioners held a meeting at their office in the Town Hall on Tuesday. Commissioner Baker presided. Commissioner Lott was absent.

The bill of John M. Zweig, overseer of road district No. 1, for work on roads, $289.25, was ordered paid.

The bills of A. B. Cohn & Co., for two new plates for road hones, $20.25, and John H. Hendrickson, overseer of roads in district No. 2, for work on roads from April 14 to June 13, $318.38, was laid over until the next meeting.

The commissioners will make application to the town board to-day to raise money to pay the land damages for opening Oakley avenue, Woodhaven.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 8.

Monday, August 25, 2008

A Great New Meat Market.

New York, 1895

Schwarzschild and Sulzberger, the well known dealers in dressed beef and small stock, of New York City, have opened. their new branch establishment on the corner of Division street and the Long Island railroad, Jamaica, where everything of the choicest quality in their line can be found. The cooling rooms are the largest on Long Island, and are always filled with the choicest stock, and obliging salesmen are on hand to attend to all orders, which are promptly filled, whether by mail, telegraph or telephone, and shipped to any point. Marketmen should pay a visit to this establishment and see its advantages for themselves.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 8.

Friday, August 22, 2008

A Bad Example for Young Lawyers.

New York, 1895

Lawyer George Wallace is not a good model for young men of the legal profession to follow. As counsel to the board of Supervisors, and therefore acting for all the people of the county, Mr. Wallace has been guilty of deception and falsehood, and is therefore not a fit person to be trusted with the care of public business. Young men who are beginning a professional career at the bar should foreswear themselves never to be guilty of falsehood or deceit toward their clients, the courts, or the public, but always to conduct themselves so as to enforce and enjoy the confidence and esteem of everybody.

If George Wallace had deceived a judge on the bench, and lied to him, as he did to the board of Supervisors, he could be punished for it by imprisonment for a contempt, or by dismissal from the bar. But he can only be held amenable for the wrong be was guilty of toward the Supervisors by the members of that body, and they have shown no disposition to call him to account. We have said before that summary dismissal from his position as counsel to the board would be proper, and we repeat it, for the offence of which he is guilty must destroy the bond of confidence which ought to exist between counsel and client.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 4.

Visited by Milk Inspectors.

New York, 1895

The state milk inspectors swooped down upon Flushing Friday and tested the milk sold by the vendors. In each instance samples were obtained, bottled and labeled and sent to the state chemist for analysis. The stores where farm products and vinegar are sold were also visited by the inspectors.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 4.

Vacheron Fighting for Delay.

New York, 1895

Assemblyman Vacheron's declarations in the newspapers that he was anxious for a speedy trial of the indictment for bribery turns out to have been a characteristic bluff. He had a chance to go to trial on Monday, but he was not ready, nor was he ready to have a day fixed for his trial, and there being no other way to throw the court off and secure delay, his counsel interposed a demurrer to the indictment and staved off the trial.

Any one reading the New York Herald's report of the court proceedings will see very clearly that the points interposed against the indictment are weak and far-fetched, but they are good enough to secure delay. If the indictment is illegally drawn the benefit of the error goes to the accused man, and would help him to an acquittal. Mr. Vacheron has been declaring "I am innocent; all I want is a chance to reestablish by honor." Perhaps Mr. Vacheron is innocent; at all events, he is not to be presumed guilty until proven so, but when he sits down on the opportunity to get a trial, and an acquittal, if he be innocent, he is not helping his case before the public. Three times now has he had the opportunity he professed to want, and every time has he fought it off.

If the indictment is not good a corrected one can be found. Mr. Vacheron could just as easily prove his innocence under this indictment as any other, if he is innocent.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 4.

"Democrats Getting Together."

New York, 1895

Taking up the almost idle subject of a conference of all Long Island Democrats for the purpose of restoring harmony where the World dropped it, the Sun proceeds to go somewhat over the same ground, but adds a fresh name or two to the list of persons who seem anxious to have a gathering of the clans. We make these few extracts to enable us to offer a suggestion or two:

Daniel Noble, District Attorney — The plan is an excellent one, and should be productive of great and lasting good to the cause of Democracy. As a Democrat I am with you, and will use all efforts toward making the meeting a success.

Joseph Dykes, County Treasurer — I am heartily in favor of the movement suggested.

It would be real nice to have Noble and Dykes in the conference. It would be interesting to hear Noble's reasons for running as the Republican-Gleason candidate in 1893, and hear him justify the efforts that he and Gleason made to defeat Dykes' election. Since when did Noble become a Democrat? We do not believe that the Democratic party has any room for him, or that the party wants to be saddled with responsibility for the management of his office, which at present seems to be engaged in the business of protecting Democratic bribe-givers and bribe-takers from the consequences of their crime. The Republicans must keep Mr. Noble, and be responsible to the people for his record.

No Democratic conference can be held that will not be confronted with the question, "What shall we do with Gleason?" We do not believe that the Jeffersonian organization of Long Island City is willing to have Gleason's organization put on a level with them in Democratic conventions, and given places on the ticket. And if the Jeffersonians were willing it is probable that Gleason would spurn the offer, for he would be swallowed up and his individuality lost. Gleason has better reasons for standing out now than he ever had. The joining of Newtown and Long Island City in one assembly district makes him a bigger political factor, for he has a large following in Newtown, and it is not sure that he cannot control the election in the Second district, for he has always been able to get from 400 to 500 votes into the ballot box in Flushing, and over 100 in Jamaica, and the Democratic majority in the district does not exceed 300.

There is going to be a mighty struggle in Long Island City this year for mayor, and Gleason is to be a candidate. It will not surprise us to see a combination between his faction and the Republicans, for we believe that that has been the purpose of all the combinations of the past few years. The Republicans accepted Gleason's man Noble for District Attorney, and his man Robinson for Assemblyman, and Gleason gave the Republicans the Senatorship. Last year Gleason gave the Republicans the office of City Treasurer of Long Island City and the Republicans were to have made him Assemblyman, but they could not deliver the vote, although coming within 75 of doing so. Gleason has got the whip-hand of the Republicans this year. They want to elect a board of Aldermen and the Senator, and they cannot do either without Gleason's help. Gleason wants to be mayor, but he cannot win without Republican help. Those are some of the reasons why a Gleason-Republican "combine" is pretty certain to result.

Democrats who are talking of "getting together" and of "restoring harmony" will see, if they stop and think, the utter futility of their position. There is but one way open to the Democracy to regain its lost ascendancy, and that is by sending honest delegates to conventions and making nominations that will command public confidence.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 4.

We Don't Get it.

New York, 1895

The Governor has not fulfilled the expectations of the friends of the normal school. He let die the item in the supplemental supply bill appropriating $50,000 for furnishing the school. The $100,000 appropriated in the general supply bill is available for the work. Of course the failure to secure the additional $50,000 this year is to be regretted, but we have no doubt that the money will be appropriated next year. We've got to have it, and we're going to have it. The $100,000 will build the school house, and when it is completed the state will be obliged to make the additional appropriation to equip it.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 4.

Courts in This County.

New York, 1895

The time seems to be at hand when one of the justices of the Supreme Court will have to devote all of his time to the business arising in Queens county, and which has been increasing steadily for several years. we have now three terms of the Circuit Court, and the judges and the jurymen put in long hours and work hard, but the calendar grows in spite of them. In November two additional justices will be elected in this district, and the new year will see Judge Barnard restored to the exercise of all his functions, civil and criminal, so that it will not be difficult to have a judge assigned to hold chambers in this county. When the judges decide to take this step they should fix upon Jamaica as the place where the judge shall preside, and satisfactory accommodations will be provided for him in the Town Hall.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 4.

Parallel Railroads.

New York, 1895

The State Railroad Commissioners made a decision a year or so ago against the building of parallel steam railroads, and the Supreme Court has affirmed the action of the commissioners. Since the decision was made the law as to parallel railroads has been amended by the Legislature so as to include horse-car and trolley lines of railroad, and both the commissioners' decision and the amended law are of peculiar interest to the people of Queens county because they bear directly on the construction of two electric railroads, both of which will parallel the Long Island railroad. No railroad of any kind can be constructed until the consent of the State Railroad Commissioners has been obtained, and refusal of consent, as in the case now at bar, knocks the whole thing into a "cocked hat."

The Long Island Electric Railroad Company has obtained franchises for a railroad through the towns of Jamaica and Hempstead, and is said to have made contracts for construction, and even to have built a small section of roadway. Nevertheless, the fact seems to be that the company is disjointed in two important particulars: First, the consent of the Railroad Commissioners has not been obtained for the construction of the road; second, the consent of the Railroad Commissioners has not been obtained as to the motive power to be used. The obtaining of these consents was not necessary prior to the petition for franchises, but the consents must be obtained before construction begins to make the status of the company legal and give a color of value to its stocks and bonds. When the company sees fit to apply for the commissioners' consent for the building of the railroad it may encounter no opposition whatever, but, on the other hand, suppose the Long Island railroad company should set up an opposition on the ground that it is a parallel railroad forbidden by the statue, and suppose the commissioners should decide that the trolley railroad is not necessary and refuse consent to its construction, then the company and its stockholders would be left in a sorry plight, but the blame would be their own for not having complied with the strict letter of the law.

The Long Island railroad company may reasonably be expected to make the opposition outlined above, perhaps not so much to cripple the Long Island electric railroad company as to establish a precedent that will operate against a certain other electric railroad enterprise. The following authentic letter from the Secretary of the State Railroad Commission bears directly on the questions we have been discussing:

ALBANY, June 10, 1895.

The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, N. Y.

DEAR SIR — Your letter of June 7 received. Before building an electric railroad, the company proposing to build must apply to this board for approval of the use of electricity as a motive power under section 100 of the railroad law. This board has not granted approval of the use of electricity to the Long Island electric railroad company, neither has application been made to it by such company.
Very truly yours, C. R. DEFREESE, Secretary.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 4.

No Headlines, Editorials, June 21, 1895

The Oyster Bay Pilot is not pleased with the re-apportionment, but any one who will consider the matter with a disinterested mind will conclude that the Supervisors could not have arranged the districts more harmoniously or with greater fairness. Of course Democratic politicians who have been living in and holding office in a Democratic district will selfishly rebel against being placed in a surely Republican district and becoming back numbers.



The beer brewing business has grown rapidly in Brooklyn. There are 33 breweries and their annual output is 1,824,972 barrels. In 1841 the annual output was 300 barrels.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 4.

The Right Way to Build the Bridge.

New York, 1895

Without intending to do so, the Brooklyn Times has placed the board of Supervisors of this county, and the County Engineer, in a false position in respect to the proposed new bridge over Newtown creek at Hunter's Point. It has been made to appear that our Supervisors are trying to make a job out of this public work for some favorite one's benefit. Just the reverse is true. The Supervisors are trying to have the work let under honest circumstances, and as they have the controlling voice, the work will be honestly let or no bridge will be built.

Kings county wants a lift bridge built, after the model of the one seen in Chicago, and we believe it is a very good bridge for Newtown creek. As to the style of bridge the two counties are in harmony. The joint committee have agreed upon a lift bridge, and they have agreed to call upon bridge builders to submit bids with plans of their own for the work. The reason for this is that the lift bridge is patented, even to the bolts, it is said, and if the county by its own plans infringed upon these patents it would be liable in damages. To avoid this responsibility the joint committee decided to throw the whole work open to competition, thereby making the contractors take all the risks of patent infringements, knowing very well that every bidder would base his estimate on terms suitable to the patentees before offering his bid.

The full board of Supervisors of Queens county has ratified the action of the joint committee, but the full board of Supervisors of Kings county has refused its approval. Kings county Supervisors want the lift bridge built by a Mr. Wardell, builder and patentee of the Chicago bridge. In other words, to give Mr. Wardell the job without proper competition. That would be manifestly against public policy, and Queens county's Supervisors will never consent to it. Under the terms proposed by the joint committee Mr. Wardell has an open chance in the competition and he can ask nothing fairer than that. If there should be no competition the two counties would be wholly at the mercy of the person who got the work, and no one could tell how much the bridge would cost. But letting the work out by contract would establish the price, and limit the liability, and prevent jobbery and waste. Queens county does not care if the bridge is never built, for the benefit all inures to Kings county. If the latter county's Supervisors will not act like reasonable men, their constituents will know who to hold responsible. A hundred thousand dollars is a good deal of money, and that sum represents about the difference in cost between the two methods.

The Times will undoubtedly do our Supervisors and Engineer justice when it learns the true inwardness of the case.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 4.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

A Disastrous Berry Year.

New York, 1895

This has been a disastrous year for the Long Island strawberry growers who depend upon the Boston market to take their fruit. The crop has been fairly productive and of good quality, but prices have been ruinously low. The berry train which runs between Manor and Greenport conveying the strawberries to a boat chartered for the purpose of getting the fruit to the Boston market was discontinued on Wednesday. One farmer said that for three crates of fine berries sent to Boston he had returned to him as his commission three two cent postage stamps. The average selling price in Boston has been about 4 cents.


The Early Drought Has Come.

The drought has set in and is becoming a serious matter. The roads are like ash beds and lawns are turning brown. The hay crop has already been seriously injured and garden vegetables, particularly potatoes and peas, will not yield more than half a crop. The weather has been exceedingly favorable for corn, beans and melons, but if the drought continues they too will suffer. Small fruits have failed to mature and even the wild huckleberries have shriveled up on the bushes.


An Ax for Mr. Townsend.

In a review of Queens county politics. anent the question of harmony, Tuesday's Brooklyn Eagle said: "One of these Democratic fighters against Mr. Sutphin is now slated as candidate for senator, and if he is nominated, as now seems likely, the Sutphin Democrats in the county will take a good deal of trouble to see that he is buried out of sight."

This must mean Edward N. Townsend of Hempstead.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 1.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Sale of the Riker Property.

New York, 1895

The executors of the will of John H. Riker realized about $10,000 by the sale of sixty-three lots at Woodside. The prices were good, considering the situation of the property, ranging from $100 to $500 per lot. The executors bought in the Riker house and ten lots adjoining for $5,000.


Want the Capital Stock Trebled.

Directors Maher, Olcott, McCabe, Cord Meyer, Bushe and Lamson, of the Electric Illuminating and Power company of Long Island City have called a special meeting of the stockholders for July 1, for the purpose of increasing the capital stock from $50,000 to $150,000.


New Long Island City Industry.

Articles of incorporation have been filed with the secretary of state by the New York venetian blind company of Long Island City. The capital stock is $50,000.


Madden Gas Bill Signed.

Governor Morton has signed Assemblyman Madden's bill, providing that the East River Gas Light company of Long Island City shall not charge more for gas in that city than it does in other places.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 1.

Monday, August 18, 2008

June Term of County Court.

New York, 1895

Judge Garretson will begin the June term of the County Court at the Court House in Long Island City on Monday. There will be no grand jury in this court. It is said that District Attorney Noble intends to try Holcratt and Goeller, of Jamaica, the indicted bribe-takers, but they seem to laugh at the idea of a trial. The civil calendar is as follows:

Balten vs Shire, Brodie vs Sullivan, Friend vs Ramayon, Farrell vs Sanford, Hunter vs Fox, Jones vs Imgul, Krankofski vs Young, Platt vs Winans, Place vs Gildersleeve, Raeburn vs Woelfel, Village of Whitestone vs Brown.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 1.

Legislated Out of Office.

New York, 1895

The new law prohibiting excise commissioners from selling liquor or tobacco has forced Excise Commissioner Lankow of Long Island City out of office. He is a cigar manufacturer and did a good business among the liquor dealers. He sent his resignation to Mayor Sanford a few days ago and it was accepted.


Two Courts Next Week.

The Circuit Court and the County Court will be in session next Monday. Judge Cullen will preside in the former and Judge Garretson in the latter. It is probable that the County Court will last through the month of July.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 1.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Inspecting Newtown Creek.

New York, 1895

A number of men doing business on Newtown Creek took Congressmen Bennett and Howe of Kings county along the creek in the tug Protector Thursday to explain to them the necessity of an appropriation by congress for the widening of the channel to 125 feet and its dredging to a depth of eighteen feet at low water. After the trip Congressman Bennett gave it as his opinion that an appropriation of at least $200,000 ought to be made by congress to improve the creek and to make it navigable.


Islip's Big Firemen's Tournament.

The second annual tournament under the auspices of the Islip town firemen's association was held last Wednesday. Every one of the fourteen companies in the town was present, and the parade was nearly a mile long. The parade was led by a squad of mounted police, followed by the chief of the department, visiting firemen, and the officers of the Islip town firemen's association and several brass bands. The contests were witnessed by nearly 2,000 persons.


Friends' Academy Graduate.

The commencement exercises at Friends' academy at Locust Valley took place Friday afternoon and drew scores of friends of the institution to listen to a most excellent program. The graduating class of '95 was composed of but one member, Everitt F. Willets, son of ex-Supervisor Frederick E. Willets, which is said to be due to a raising of the standard of the academy, thereby necessitating another year's course for the class which would otherwise have been graduated.


Suit Against Long Island City.

Before Justice Cullen on Thursday the Long Island Illuminating company sued Long Island City for $4,922 for electric lights supplied the streets in the city between April 1, 1893, and March, 1894. Decision was reserved.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 21, 1895, p. 1.

Friday, August 15, 2008

A Republican View of It.

New York, 1895

Boss Youngs would be better pleased to have Edward N. Townsend in the Senate than John Lewis Childs. — Long Island Farmer.

We do not doubt that Mr. Youngs would rather have his fellow townsman, Edward N. Townsend, of Oyster Bay, elected than Senator Childs, though Townsend is a Democrat. The Townsend brothers and Youngs have always worked together, and the Oyster Bay Pilot, which is an ultra-Democratic paper conducted by the Townsends is always sounding the praises of Mr. Youngs and belittling the other Republican leaders. There is a lot of latent rascality in the Republican party and at the proper time the Herald will show who the rascals are and the jobs they have put up for the assassination of some of the candidates of the party, if certain gentlemen should happen to be those candidates. It will be a good thing for the party if these traitors are shown up in their true colors. — Long Island City Herald, Republican.

—Reprinted in The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 14, 1895, p. 5.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Something We Want Democratic Politicians to Understand.

New York, 1895

Democratic nominations for important offices in this county have frequently been notoriously bad. The making of a commendable nomination has been the exception. It is high time that the making of unfit nominations ceased. There are plenty of capable and conscientious Democrats to choose from. THE FARMER will never again support for any office a Democrat who is not wholly worthy of the office and of the public confidence. THE FARMER is and will be a Democratic newspaper on principle, and principle requires the election of the best men in the party, and the defeat of unworthy men who succeed in forcing themselves to the front. If Democratic conventions cannot make as good nominations as Republican conventions, the Republicans will deserve to succeed. The people are not voting as blind partisans any longer, but for the candidates who promise the best results to the public service, and THE FARMER will give its support to them.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 14, 1895, p. 4.

F. W. Dunton

New York, 1895

We used Mr. Dunton's name in connection with the Senatorial nomination wholly upon our own responsibility. Our opinion of him is too well known to require stating. No selfish motive can be charged to those who hold him in high esteem and so express themselves.

He is the logical candidate for the office, but if such was not the case he is the man who should be placed in it. This statement applies with equal force to every person residing or having interest in the First Senatorial district. There is no other man in either party concerning whom such a statement could be upheld, and, barring party lines no one will dispute it. We believe that he would accept the nomination, that he could be elected, and he certainly would disappoint no one in his treatment of affairs pertaining to the office.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 14, 1895, p. 4.

Short Editorials (No Headlines) June 14, 1895

New York, 1895

The decision of the General Term of the Supreme Court, Third Department, regarding the paralleling of existing railroads, while not the first of the kind, is both important and interesting. It is important in that it sustains the refusal of the State Railroad Commission to permit the construction of a new railroad which would simply parallel an existing railroad. It is doubly interesting because of the enactment this year in Chapter 513, Laws of 1895, of an amendment to the very section of the railroad law involved, section 59, striking out the words "This shall not apply to street surface railroads," and thus bringing all surface lines in the State within the scope of the decision against the paralleling of old roads. Does not this knock out the Long Island Electric Railroad Company?



The Brooklyn Times has showered praise upon Commissioner Cooley because of the splendid school buildings in his district and their fine equipment. But, bless you, all that credit belongs to ex-Commissioner Merrill, for he built all those fine school houses, and did more to advance the cause of education in this territory than all the officers who had preceded him for fifty years. We detract nothing from Mr. Cooley's merit in asking for justice for Mr. Merrill. And, by the way, School Commissioner Clair is making a record that calls for commendation over in the First district, but the Times will not say so because Mr. Clair is a Democrat. Every man should be judged out of his works and not for his politics.



The Island, Senator Childs' nursling, has become a full fledged Republican newspaper. It will be edited by Monroe S. Wood, a very bright, progressive and courageous journalist. The Republicans had to have a party paper on which they could rely, the Standard having become corrupt, and having disgusted all decent people by its malice, waywardness and unreliability.



"Old Hen" Reeves of the Greenport Watchman has come off his nest with a brood of misconceptions about the Jamaica normal school. If he will but look at the supplemental supply bill he will feel like hiding himself in his musty nest again. That's where the additional $50,000 is tucked away.



Governor McCormick's resignation as a local commissioner of the normal school should not be accepted at this time when his services have become especially valuable and the work ahead of the commission is so important. Of course Mr. McCormick has good reasons for wanting to be freed from this responsibility, but he is patriotic enough to forego his personal desires in a matter so important to the public well being.



According to the Hempstead Inquirer George Wallace worked the Albany lobby racket at the expense of that town until he got a chance to transfer the game to the county, but he is not likely to be as successful in working the county as he was in working the town.



The village trustees have passed a resolution requesting the Supervisors to take control of and maintain as county roads certain streets within the village. Three years ago the trustees had a special law passed to prohibit the Supervisors or any other body from doing this very thing.



The Republicans of the Third district cannot do better than nominate Charles L. Phipps for Assemblyman. He would be certain of election, and we go bail that he would make a faithful representative.



The village should not part with the old school site on Herriman avenue and running through to Union avenue. This property is needed for public purposes. The old school building could be transformed into an admirable village hall at comparatively small expense, with a meeting room for the trustees, committee rooms, clerk's room, and police court. A better site for a public building cannot be had, except at heavy expense, and in time so much of the laud as now may seem superfluous will be required for public uses. If more money is necessary for the equipment of the new schools the people should give it rather than sell this valuable property to raise it.



Whew! The Long Island City Herald accuses Boss Youngs of "base disloyalty" to his party. That's tough on Billy — and he 3,000 miles away.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 14, 1895, p. 4.

Should George Wallace be Trusted With Public Business?

New York, 1895

There is abundant evidence to prove that George Wallace, while counsel to the board of Supervisors, was in a caucus at Albany April 3rd or thereabouts which approved of Assemblyman Vacheron's corrupt Commissioner of Jurors bill, which would have imposed an annual burden of $10,000 a year on the tax-payers of Queens county, who were kept in ignorance of it by Mr. Wallace.

There is abundant evidence to prove that George Wallace, in his capacity as counsel to the board of Supervisors, told the board of Supervisors on April 16th that the first he knew of the Commissioner of Jurors bill was when Assemblyman Vacheron told him on April 10th, at Albany, that the bill had that day passed the Assembly. The moral conclusion is that Mr. Wallace told the Supervisors a deliberate falsehood.

The question of to-day, therefore, is, "Is George Wallace worthy to be trusted with the care of important public business as the county's counsel?" We do not see how the Supervisors can repose confidence in him, or how they can be sure that he is doing the best he can for the county's welfare. If he must be retained under the resolution appointing him, some lawyer who has the public confidence should be employed to look after the public business.

We are led to make these observations by reason of the Supervisors having passed a resolution directing counsel in the Maspeth avenue bridge case to turn all the papers over to Mr. Wallace, and instructing Mr. Wallace to take an appeal in the matter. This is an important litigation. The bridge that it is sought to compel the county to build will impose a burden of at least $200,000 on the people. The fight has been going on for three years, and the bridge has yet to be built. The last decision was against the county, and the expediency of letting Mr. Wallace have anything to do with the case would be questionable under favorable circumstances, but with his record on the Commissioner of Jurors bill a change of counsel to him is exceedingly hazardous. However, the Supervisors are the doctors, and let us hope that they will bring the county out all right.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 14, 1895, p. 4.