2012.004

Found in collection

Found in Collection

Museum Collections.

1886 - 1886

Date(s) Created: 1886 Date(s): 1886

Notes: Archives 2012.004.0074 ==== Mayor's Office Hoboken, N.J. March 9th, 1886 To the Council, Gentlemen I enclose certified copies of Assembly Bill #197 entitled "An Act to enable cities, and municipalities of this State to create and maintain a paid fire department", which Act was, approved, of by Governor Leon Abbett March 1st, 1886. As you are aware, this bill was introduced by the Honorable John C. Besson, at the request of your Honorable Body and Citizens. It provides for the establishment of a paid fire department in any city, provided that its provisions are adopted by a majority of the legal voters thereof, at any regular charter election. As the time for our annual charter election is drawing near, and the necessary public advertisement, and notices, are about to be issued, I would recommend that you adopt a resolution directing the City Clerk to advertise that this question will be voted on at the coming election, and that the City Clerk be also directed to provide ballots, in accordance with Section 2 of this Act, on which shall be printed the words "For a paid fire department" or "Against a paid fire department". Sec 3 that bonds may be issued for the proper equipment and maintenance of the fire department to the amount of ($1000.00). One Thousand and 00 Dollars for each One Thousand inhabitants and not exceeding this sum. This limits the amount to be expended for the creation of a paid department in our city to ($37,000) Thirty Seven Thousand 00/100, and therefore no necessity exists for members of your Board to state that the cost would, amount to from $75,000 - $100,000, the provisions of the act forbid this. Furthermore as the question is to be decided by a popular vote, I see no reason why one of your members finds in necessary to feel alarmed at the possible introduction. The introduction of a repealer in the Assembly is not necessary, as our citizens if they feel so inclined can repeal this Act at the [cross-out - popular] ballot box. From appearances the gentleman who addressed a public meeting on this subject some time ago did not know what he was talking about, he certainly could not have read the bill, or understood its contents, if he had, he would not have spoken as quoted by the press. In my opinion the agitation against this Act is carried on by those who fear that the political machinery will be injured by its adoption. I am convinced that the majority of our citizens, those who have the real and future welfare of this growing city at heart, and who contribute directly and indirectly to its support will favor its introduction. The matter is to be decided by the people at the ballot box, and you are in duty bound, to let your constituents have the opportunity of expressing their opinion on the subject. I would also advise that you take the said course with an Act "Chapter CC1, Laws of the Legislature 1885", entitled "An Act to remove the Fire and Police Departments in the Cities of this State from political control". This act provides that these boards shall consist of four members, two from each of the political parties having cast the largest number of votes at the preceding election, to be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Common Council. Sec 21 provides that the provisions of this Act shall have been voted upon at a regular charter election, and that in case of a majority of the voters favor its acceptance the act is to go into effect immediately. This is the same act which was adopted by the citizens of Newark at their charter election, and in my opinion it's adoption would prove beneficial for the better government of our city police department. H.L. Timken, Mayor ==== Com [Communication] from His Hon Mayor Timken relative to a Paid Fire Department March 9, 1886 Presented read and received City Clerk Filed in Box No. 109 ==== Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2012-12-06