PRELIMINARY WORK COMPLETED 51 
“Orange, February 26, 1895. 
“Hon. David A. Depue: 
“My Dear Sir—Your favor of the thirteenth instant 
was duly received. The suggestions therein mentioned have 
had thoughtful consideration. 
“As to the matter of compensation to the members of the 
commission, there appeared but one satisfactory way of dis- 
posing of it, viz., to make the position honorary, and then 
rely upon the appointment of men of sufficient probity, 
honor and civic pride to appreciate the honor, and, in the 
great and lasting good and worthy repute growing out of 
the improvement, thereby have sufficient inducement to de- 
vote their best thought and purpose to the carrying out of 
the whole enterprise. 
“It was felt that a small salary would sooner or later 
attract petty politicians incompetent to execute such a trust, 
and make the pressure for their appointment a burden on 
the appointing power, while a large salary would be open to 
other serious objections and tend to make the compensation 
the object sought, rather than the matter of pride in suc- 
cessful results. 
“TI believe that all of the commission fully concurred in 
this view. 
“Tn like manner an even number has not seemed favor- 
able for a practical working board to any of us. Four to 
two, as you suggest, is certainly a stronger majority than 
three to two; but how would it be should an even vote occur 
with a possible ‘deadlock’ lasting, as it has with some even- 
headed commissions, a length of time? 
“Similar commissions elsewhere for similar undertakings 
generally recognize a number above five as unwieldy, and 
the efficiency of a board reduced by a divided responsibility. 
“Tf the right men fill such positions—those competent, 
faithful and loyal to the trust—there should be no division, 
but every vote of record undivided, and this is frequently 
the case with some of the higher-class commissions. 
“In our board thus far, although questions have arisen 
upon which we have had different convictions, yet, after 
