USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Trenton > History of Trenton, New Jersey : the record of its early settlement and corporate progress. > Part 10
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Pontius Dillery Stelle lived on Warren street. South of his residence and adjoining Saint Michael's Church was Stelle's alley. His store was on the corner of Warren street and the alley. Perry street, on its opening in 1813, interfered very materially with this edifiee and it was abandoned.
The officers of the corporation were a Mayor, who was keeper of the eity seal ; a Reeorder, who was Deputy Mayor ; three Aldermen, six assistants (Common Couneilmen) and one Town
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THE CITY OF TRENTON.
Clerk. The Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen were Justices of the Peace ex officio, appointed by joint meeting and commissioned by the Governor. The six assistants, Town Clerk, Assessor and Col- lector were chosen by the people. Common Council was composed of the Mayor, Recorder, Alder- men and assistants, who appointed subordinate officers, such as Treasurer, Marshal and Clerk of the Market. Fines were recovered on warrant of the Mayor, Recorder or Aldermen, appeal lying to Common Council. Tavern licenses were under the control of Common Council.
Before the city obtained this charter, in fact during the Revolution, the Court House of the county of Hunterdon had been removed to the "House of Henry Mershon late John Ringo in Amwell," by act of the Legislature, March 4th, 1780. This measure was brought about by the growing influence of the "up-river" settlements and by the power of the plantation hamlets in the northern part of Hunterdon county. Trenton was no longer the county town of Hunterdon, although in the old jail the prisoners of war and of the Admiralty Court were kept. Upon the final abandonment of the county prison the "old goal" at Trenton was placed under the custody of a Town Jailer, who had the charge of city prisoners, criminal and civil.
On the 19th of January, 1793, a committee consisting of the Mayor, Recorder and Alderman Hunt was appointed to report a seal of the corporation. On the 13th of July the following was selected : "The Divice of which is a Sheaf of Wheat proper, the Inscription around the Seal, 'City of Trenton' with the motto E Parvis Grandes (once Small, now Great)." In the years past this seal has been modified. As in the case of the introduction of the date, 1776, upon the great seal of New Jersey, "1792" has been introduced upon Trenton's scal. The motto has been abolished. Three sheaves now take the place of one sheaf. The crest, similar to that in the great seal of New Jersey, a nag's head, has been added.
CITY
THE
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TR
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SEAL
ON
1792
The desire upon the part of many of the inhabitants of Burlington county to unite themselves with Trenton again found expression on January 10th, 1817, when a legislative petition from a number of inhabitants of Mill Hill and Bloomsbury, in the township of Nottingham, was pre- sented, praying to be incorporated with the city of Trenton. At the same time a remonstrance was presented by a number of the inhabitants of said places against the same.
From time to time the charter of the city was altered. The limitations which the Legislature threw around the act of 1792 bound the citizens too closely. Thus, by virtue of an act passed December 14th, 1826, the number of "assistants" was increased to thirteen. In 1834, the Legis- lature empowered the city to erect a workhouse distinct from the common jail.
During this charter and, in fact, until the new State Constitution of 1844, when the makeshift Constitution of 1776 was abolished, the Mayor, Recorder and three Aldermen were elected by joint meeting and commissioned by the Governor. The voters elected no officers other than the assist- ants, Town Clerk, Assessor and Collector, who were chosen at town meeting. Then, as the voters exercised the rights of the ballot upon a property qualification, the mass of Trentonians had but little voice in town government. Common Council selected all other officers. In spite of this extremely-aristocratic charter, the plan remained as devised for nearly half a century.
During this period Trenton was outgrowing, slowly but surely, her village conditions. The wave of reform and social agitation, which swept over the country during the administration of President Jackson, had an important effect upon the State of New Jersey. It finally led to the new declaration of organic law in the year 1844. One of the effects of the breaking down of trammels was in giving to the city of Trenton, in 1837, a new charter. Whilst the Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen were still elected by joint meeting, the meetings of Common Council were declared to be open for "the admission of all peaceable and orderly persons." The city was to receive its quota of the school fund, common schools being a part of this renaissance of thought at the period, the act itself being submitted to popular vote before being adopted. Whilst common enough to us, these and similar provisions were marked innovations.
CHAPTER XII.
THE CORPORATE HISTORY OF THE CITY OF TRENTON. THE CHARTER OF 1837.
THE NEW CHARTER-POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICIALS-WARDS ESTABLISHED AND VARIOUS CHANGES OF LINES-TRENTON ABSORBS SOUTH TRENTON-EXTENSION OF MUNICIPAL POWERS AND THE GROWTH OF MODERN IDEAS IN CITY LIFE-TRENTON AT THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES.
HE HISTORY of the city under the charter of 1837, which lasted until 1866, is of peculiar interest, covering a period when the last vestiges of the colonial condi- tions were still to be traced, and when the experiment of universal suffrage under the Constitution of 1844 was being tried.
On the seventh of March, 1837, the inhabitants of the city of Trenton were incorporated with full municipal powers. In the new incorporation the rights and estates of the "Mayor Aldermen and Assistants of the City of Trenton," as well as of the "Inhabitants of the Township of Trenton, in the County of Hunterdon," were vested in the new corporation. The officers under the new charter were a Mayor, who should be the keeper of the city seal ; Recorder or Acting Mayor, three Aldermen, twelve members of Common Council, one Clerk, one Assessor, one Collector and one Treasurer. The Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen were ex-officio Justices of the Peace, appointed by joint meeting. They were authorized to hold a Court of General Quarter Ses- sions of the Peace in and for the said city, with plenary power, except the hearing and determining of appeals in pauper cases. The City Clerk was Clerk of the court, which tribunal had the exclusive power of granting tavern licenses. The citizens also chose Overseers of the Poor, three or more School Committeemen, two or more Constables, one Judge of Election, three or more Commissioners of Appeals in Taxation, two Chosen Freeholders, two Surveyors of the Highways. These officers were empowered in the same manner as those in the townships.
Common Council had power to legislate upon a wide range of municipal subjects, could raise money by tax and borrow money. President of Council, Marshal, Treasurer, Clerk of the Market, "and such other subordinate officers as they may think necessary for the good government of the city," were to be selected by Council. The Jail Keeper, also appointed by Council, had the custody of offenders sent to the common jail, which was also deemed a workhouse under the two acts of 1799. The corporation had power to pave sidewalks, and the Common Council was author- ized to open new streets. No street was to be recognized unless opened as aforesaid. This act was adopted by the voters of the city of Trenton upon the first day of April, 1837.
In February, 1840, the Legislature abolished the city Quarter Sessions, which were transferred to Mercer county, the Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen still retaining their powers of Justices of the Peace. They had the exclusive power of granting tavern licenses.
In March, 1844, the Legislature provided for the erection of four wards in the city. The First ward extended from the point of intersection of the Assanpink ereck and Warren street, thence along Warren to Hanover, thence along Hanover to the canal, thence along the canal to Second
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THE CITY OF TRENTON.
(now State street), thence along Second "and a line agreeing therewith to the Assanpink," thence by the creek to the place of beginning. The Second ward began at the intersection of Warren street and the Assanpink creek, thence along Warren street to De Cou's alley, thence westwardly along the alley to Quarry alley, thence to the Delaware and Raritan feeder, thenee to the city line, thence down said line to the place of beginning. The Third ward began at the intersection of De Cou's alley and Warren street, thence along Warren street to the Princeton turnpike, thence along the turnpike to the city line, thence by the city line to the northwest corner of the Second ward, thenee to the place of beginning. The Fourth ward began at the center of Warren and Hanover streets, thence along Warren street to the Princeton pike, thence along the pike to the city line, thence by the line and the Assanpink creek to the corner of the First ward.
Annual elections were to be held on the second Monday in April in each of the wards, when one Common Councilman, one Assessor, one Collector, one Constable, one School Committeeman and one Tax Appeal Commissioner were to be voted for. One Clerk and one Judge of Election, with the Assessor and Collector, kept the polls from ten A. M. to four P. M.
In 1845 (March 26th), the former system of ward boundaries was changed and the East and West wards were established. The division was marked by a line extending along the center of Princeton pike from the city line to Warren street, and thence along the center of Warren street to the Assanpink creek.
The officers of election in the First ward held the polls for the East ward, which lay to the east or canal side of the Pennington-Warren street division ; the officers of the Second ward became empowered to act in the West ward.
In 1847, the Legislature authorized additional powers to the Common Council of the city of Trenton regarding the laying out of streets. Validity was given to roads laid by Surveyors of the Highways. The growth of the city and the development of small holdings is shown that, in the case of street openings, the law required the consent of two-thirds of the abutting landowners. Common Council could also accept dedicated streets or alleys, which the city was bound to maintain. Commissioners to assess damages, with provisions for notices of assessments, for the first time are provided.
In 1849 (February 28th), the Legislature forbade the Common Council to borrow money unless authorized by ordinance. The principle of the referendum was adopted in this matter, and a popular vote decided in favor or against the use of the civic credit.
The act of March 6th, 1850, among other matters, provided for the manner of assessing taxes, threw into Council the election of the City Clerk, allowed Council to determine the number of Constables in each ward, extended the loan system and instituted a Board of Health. The number of members thereof was left to the Council, as well as the question of the termination of the official existence of this new commission. The Board had ample power to take any measure or pass any regulation calculated to promote the public health. Heavy fine and imprisonment were laid upon those who hindered or obstructed the action of this new adjunct to local affairs. Aldermen for one year were henceforth to be elected by wards and not from the city at large.
In this year Trenton was created one school district, and the age of tuition was fixed at from five to sixteen. A Superintendent of Schools and two Trustees from each ward were to be chosen by the voters. These officials were to have control and regulation of schools, and were to report to the State Superintendent through the local Superintendent the details of cach institution. An amount not exceeding $2,000 was to be annually voted by the citizens in support of the educational institutions. Until this time Common Council had appointed a Superintendent and a School Committee.
In 1851, a further centralization of municipal functions is to be seen in the legislative power given Council to pass ordinances concerning the grading and paving of sidewalks. The burden fell upon the property-owner, and lengthy provisions give the manner of proceeding in case the owner refuse or neglect to pay. In case the landlord neglected or refused, the tenant was empowered to deduct the cost of the improvement from the rent.
On March 18th, 1852, a fifth ward was erected by the Legislature. This ward began at the center of Warren and Perry streets, thence along Perry to the Millham road, thence along the Mill- ham road to the Lawrence line, thence to the Princeton pike, thence down Warren street to the place of beginning. The first annual election for the said ward was held at the house of Henry
K
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Pauck, at the Belvidere Hotel. The act annexing the "Borough of South Trenton " to the eity of Trenton (1851) provided that the East ward of Trenton should thereafter be called the First ward ; the West ward became the Second ward, whilst the annexed borough of South Trenton became the Third and Fourth wards, the division line being Bloomsbury street from its intersection with the Assanpink creek to Lamberton street, thence along Lamberton street to the Nottingham line. East of this division was the Third ward, west thereof was the Fourth ward, leading the way for the Fifth ward of 1852.
In March, 1853, the lines of the Fifth ward were altered, as follows : Beginning at the inter- section of Warren street and Hanover street, running easterly along the center of Hanover street to the Delaware and Raritan canal, thence up the center of the canal to Perry street, thence easterly along the center of Perry street to the Assanpink creek, thence along the creek to the Lawrence township line, thence to the branch turnpike road, thence along the branch road to Warren street, thence to the place of beginning.
In 1852, Common Council was authorized to pave gutters and to construct sewers "for the drainage of the city," with expense thereof to be assessed against the property-owners benefited.
In February, 1854, the citizens were authorized to elect a Clerk, Marshal, Clerk of the Market, Street Commissioner and Treasurer.
In 1854, Council was authorized to establish fire districts and was directed to assess special taxes on owners of buildings for the expenses incident to furnishing districts with fire plugs and tanks.
In 1855, the municipal powers were further increased. Regulations concerning the widening of streets and assessments therefor, with rules touching the establishment of grades, are presented.
The "City Atlas" now appears, wherein the City Surveyor is required to register the names of lot-owners. The Clerk of the city was to be elected by Council.
In 1856, the polls opened at 8 A. M. and closed at 7 P. M. Council was authorized to raise by tax such sums as may be deemed expedient. The rate was 70 cents on the hundred dollars.
From 1852 to 1858, many ordinances were passed providing for the grading of sidewalks and gutter-curbing. This was practically the beginning of the present system of city improvements.
Active measures during the sixth decade of the present century were taken toward the preser- vation of the public health. The markets were placed under a strict sanitary regime, and the plan and scope of the police department were enlarged. In 1849, the southeast room of the first floor of the City Hall was furnished for a Mayor's office, and a fire-proof, 6 x 3, for storing the public docu- ments of the city, was built. At this time these valuable documents were much scattered, and it is believed this was the first attempt to preserve the papers of the town.
During the early years of the fifties, Trenton saw the extension of the system of municipal gas- lighting. In consideration of a $10,000 subscription on the part of the city to the proposed works of the Trenton Gas Light Company, the corporation agreed to lay their pipes on Warren street, from the Assanpink to the Five Points ; on Broad street, from Lafayette to the feeder ; on Front street, from Willow to Montgomery street ; on State street, from Calhoun street to the canal ; on Hanover and Perry streets, from Broad to Stockton. The company agreed to charge the city at rates not greater than those charged to private consumers, the city to erect and keep up lamps at intervals not to exceed four hundred feet. (Approved June 7th, 1848. )
In 1849, the poor-house was improved, and in 1856 two city physicians and an Overseer of the Poor were first provided for by ordinance of Common Council.
From 1856 to 1866, covering, in extenso, the period of the war between the States, there was a decline in municipal activity. City affairs became merged into those of a nation. Men were absorbed in Federal and State politics, and only so far as those of the city related to either or both was there great interest manifested. Trenton's thoughts were upon the battle-field, and upon the soldiers at her doors.
Nevertheless, sufficient interest was had in municipal matters to promote an interest in secur- ing a new charter for the city. The document of 1837 was becoming obsolete. New fields of municipal action were being developed, requiring additional powers to be lodged in Common Council. Trenton had become a city and was no longer a thriving village. In accordance with the demands of Trentonians, on the fifteenth of March, 1866, the Legislature passed an act which gave to Trenton a new charter and which remained in force for eight years.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE CORPORATE HISTORY OF THE CITY OF TRENTON. THE CHARTERS OF 1866 AND 1874.
TRENTON OUTGROWS HER OLD CONDITIONS-A BROAD CHARTER-NEW WARD LINES ESTABLISHED -INCREASED POWERS OF COMMON COUNCIL-MOVEMENT FOR THE PRESENT CHARTER-TRENTON EMBRACES CHAMBERSBURG AND MILLHAM-THE MUNICIPAL FUNCTIONS ARE EXTENDED- OFFICERS OF TRENTON IN 1895-A LIST OF THE MAYORS.
HE CHARTER of 1866 was to Trenton of its day a satisfactory piece of legislation. At this period, Trenton was divided into six wards. The First ward embraced all the territory from the intersection of Warren street and the Assanpink, thence through Warren street to Hanover, thence to the Delaware and Raritan canal, thence to Perry street, thence along Perry street and in a direct line therewith to the Assanpink creek, thence by its several courses to the place of beginning.
The Second ward began at the point of intersection of Warren street and the Assanpink creek, thence along Warren street to the Princeton pike, thence to the Ewing township line, thence along the line to the Delaware river, thence along the Delaware to the mouth of the Assanpink, thence to the place of beginning.
The Third ward began at the intersection of Warren street and the Assanpink creek, and extended along Warren street to Lamberton, thence to Washington street, thence to the Delaware and Raritan canal, thence to the intersection of the canal with the Assanpink creek, thence by the middle of the creek to the place of beginning.
The Fourth ward began at the intersection of Warren street and the Assanpink creek, thence along Warren street to Lamberton street, thence along Lamberton to Washington street, thence along Washington street to the Delaware river, thence up the river to the mouth of the Assanpink, and along the center of the creek to the place of beginning.
The Fifth ward began at Warren street, and extended easterly along the middle of Hanover street to the Delaware and Raritan canal, thence along the canal to Perry street, thence to the Assanpink creek, thence along the Assanpink creek, by its various courses, to the Lawrence township line, thence by the line of that township and Ewing township to the Princeton turnpike, thence along the pike to Warren street, and thence to the place of beginning.
The Sixth ward began at the intersection of Washington street and the Delaware and Raritan canal, and ran along Washington street to the Delaware river, thence down the Delaware river to the foot of the high bank and the Hamilton township line, to the Delaware and Raritan canal, thence along the canal to the place of beginning.
By this charter the term of the Mayor was fixed at one year, with each ward to be entitled to four Common Councilnen, two School Trustees for each ward. Upon the annual spring election, a Mayor, City Treasurer, School Superintendent, Overseer of the Poor, Councilmen, Public School Trustees, Assessors, Constables, Commissioners of Tax Appeals, Chosen Freeholders, Ward Clerks, Judges and Inspectors of Election were voted for by the people-a very marked enlargement of the fran-
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ehise when compared with the charter provisions of 1792. The Receiver of Taxes was elected for two years. Under this charter Common Council appointed a City Clerk, City Surveyor, Clerk of the Market, City Marshal, City Solicitor, Street Commissioner, Sealer of Weights and Measures, two Police Justices, and subordinate officers deemed necessary for good government in the city. By thirty-five separate provisions, Common Council was given wide-reaching power. That body could regulate and control the real and personal property of the city, preserve public peace, suppress gambling and disorderly houses, license and regulate saloons, restaurants and the like, or prohibit, restrain, regulate and license all manner of public exhibitions and performances. The care and maintenance of the public streets and the regulation of buildings were under their direction. Racing and the speed of trains were under their control. Protection of publie grounds, lighting of streets, regulation of private water-supply, location and care of markets, establishing of a Board of Health, abating nuisances, were among the powers vested in Council. The right to regulate inter- ments, swimming and bathing in the city limits, weights and measures, day and night police, the fire department, and taxes was also lodged in the representatives of the people.
The different purposes for which a tax might be raised ineluded objects which were not even thought of by the founders of the city. They included street-lighting, support and maintenance of the poor, construction and repair of streets and sidewalks, public grounds and parks ; support of public schools, fire and police departments and markets ; supplying the city with water for the extinguishment of fires and payment of the interest on city debt and temporary loans. Council had power to construct sewers and drains, to lay out streets and pave the same and to provide for assessments for this purpose.
Under the stimulus of this new charter Trenton gave evidences of mueh municipal vitality. The city extended westward and northwestward, and the "good times " which preceded the panic of 1873 were noticeable in this city. This newly-acquired charter was an incentive to the incorpora- tion of the borough of Chambersburg in 1872. During 1870 the city outgrew its old markets on Broad street, and the street was opened to the publie from State to Academy-a wide and well-kept thoroughfare. The centralizing of all the Camden and Amboy systems under the Pennsylvania Railroad management, and the increased facilities for travel, marked the opening of the seventies.
Upon the second day of April, 1867, the Seventh ward of the eity of Trenton was defined by legis- lative enactment to be all that portion of the city of Trenton north of the Delaware and Raritan eanal and the feeder. The development of the northwestern portion of the city was one of the causes which led to this move, and its results have been very marked upon the growth of the town. The Seventh ward has become largely a residential section, the high lands being more advantageous in the matter of good drainage and pure air. The city streets received the careful attention of Common Couneil, and the early demand for good pavements and a sewerage system was one of the features of city life of the time. The public schools were enlarged and improved, the stores became more metropolitan and individualized, and the first large place for popular amusement, Taylor Opera House, was erected when 1867 was ushered in. The old hip-roofed, colonial houses, with dormer windows, and the low three-story "brieks" that were imposing structures in 1825, gave way to the modern dwelling or trade emporium.
Trenton stood upon the verge of a new existence !
Whilst the charter of 1866 had many merits, it was not thorougly adapted to the needs of a growing eity. Therefore, upon the nineteenth day of March, 1874, Trenton assumed a new rôle and was granted her present eharter.
Upon the nineteenth of March, 1874, the Legislature passed a statute entitled "An act to pro- vide for the more efficient government of the eity of Trenton," the present instrument of municipal autonomy. The lines as laid down for the seven wards then constituted have not been altered except in so far as the erection of the Eighth ward altered the boundaries of the old Fifth. Upon the consolidation of the township of Millham and the borough of Chambersburg with Trenton, Chief Justice Mercer Beasley appointed commissioners to divide into wards the annexed territory (under a special act of March 30th, 1888). The commissioners selected were William S. Yard, George R. Whittaker, James S. Aitkin and Lewis Parker, who reported their labors as complete upon the first day of June, 1888. The ward lines as then laid down comprise the present boundaries of the Eighth ward (Millham), and the Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh wards (Chambersburg).
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