30 COUIsrTY PAEK SYSTEM 



same afternoon — June 23, 1894. It was with interest and 

 enthusiasm that each of the commissioners took up the work 

 entrusted to him. A position and condition of trust had 

 been imposed and accepted, with the sincere desire, I believe 

 shared in by all, to be loyal to that trust and the obligations 

 incurred. 



With the prevalent sentiment of confidence that had been 

 extended by the public, by the Legislature, by the press 

 and by the court, what greater incentive could be placed 

 before a body of men than was thus placed immediately be- 

 fore the commission at that time? The members soon 

 found that in the work before them they were both officially 

 and personally congenial, and that differences in conviction 

 were soon moulded into harmonious action for a common 

 purpose. Such was the fact ; and as I now cast a reflective 

 view back to the efforts and results attained by that board, 

 it occasions in my mind less surprise than ever before 

 that this preliminary commission should have accomplished 

 in about half a year that which it was authorized to occupy 

 two years in doing, and that less than one-half of the avail- 

 able appropriation of $10,000 had been expended. 



The organization of the board took place at the Board of 

 Trade rooms, i^ewark. In talking with Mr. Peck prior to 

 the board meeting, he had suggested that, as I had formu- 

 lated the plan that had proven so acceptable, I should be 

 the first president, and I was chosen temporarv' chaimian. 



The judge later sent word by his friend. Commissioner 

 Jackson, that he desired Mr. Peck should be president. 

 'No reasons were stated. The commission was not a com- 

 mittee for organization under parliamentary rules, but a 

 legally constituted body, with clearly defined duties and 

 powers, and presumably possessing inherently the unques- 

 tionable right of providing for its own organization. As, 

 however, Mr. Peck resided in !N"ewark, which city repre- 

 sented the largest population in the county, we acquiesced. 

 Nevertheless, we did not recognize the judge's right to in- 

 terfere. I was then elected vice-president and Mr. J ackson 

 was agreed upon as temporary secretary. 



