The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-01-21
OUR PLO.fTTyG POPULI TTON.
Chiidren Horn and Renred the Canals. and
G.inp school and Church.

"Thoy always have merry time on Sat
urdays. when tho weather permits" This was
said by weather beaten boatman who was
grinningly watching the little girls gambols on
the decks Of the boats in the Morris canal bnsn.
while Mr.. Edwards. the agent Of the basin. was
replying to the writer's questions But /
think" the boatman continued, they appear
to bottol advantage whcL all setting out for
school in the mornings. with their satchcls and
lunch bundles in their hands"
THE boat children all 10 to school regularly.
thcn2"
"Of course They attend the public schools
M punctuay. and take HI much interest in their
studies Ms the best OF children that live in fine
houses on tho land" was the reply. And
there are no young ones who attend Sunday
school more regularly and gady-while per-
mancntly tationed here. Of coursc-thnn those
you see about you. I'll bet there's no six blocks
Of fine houses in Jersey City that can turn out
healthier. happier, ncatcr- rugged party of bows
and girls than the eight or nine hundred that
Skin of Of these decks ON their way to Sunday
school every Sunday"
Are most Of you boatmen and your wives
also church-goers p
We average about tho Same M other folks in
that line. fancy. There's all sorts among us
pious careless good. bad and indifferent-but
wcll-bvhaVed: and m there's an all-hred family
competition IN tho boats lying 50 .iOse aongs de
cn'h other. we mostly succeed in that respect"
In winter New York has at her doors regular
bona ilde Floating Population. that Is Just rs
distinct from me cr"ws vi vessels IN the hhrpor
M II il from the numerous class OF transient
visitors and temporary solourners who have
long been characterized by that appe aton.
The population referred to embraces the
many families who dwell in the canal bouts that
IRE laid up for the winter in the East river
docks near the Battery. in the Atlantic and other
luSlue the HrDOklyu side. and in tho Morris
Canal and New Jersey Central Railroad basins
along the Jersey CITY water front. and IN which
the majority Of them spend their entire lives
loving and marrying, being born and dying.
eating. drinking and sleepng. as steadily. mo-
notOnousy, and uncventiully rs those who have
brick and mortar homes on land.
The bouts mOorcd Mt the New York and Brook
lyn piers are not often SO prominently quar-
whore many have had their regular winter
abiding place for many, successive seasons
The most interesting of these IL the Morris "a
nal basin. owned by the lchgh Valley Railroad
Company. IL Is spacious, quadrangulnr
water way. on the southeastern edge oi the town.
and has an area OF about forty acres. II IL en-
urcly enclosed ON every side, except at the river
front, communication with which Is had 10y n
And even this gap or strait is at present en-
trry closed 10y The towboats that take their
winter rest along IN" outer edge.
| The basin is surrounded by boat yards.
pairing shops. factories. on rcs. and few tene
mcnt~. with two gigantic sugar rciineries nj its
northwestern corner. anu mo"rrd closely one
alongside the other at the upper end are over
$50 anal boats nnd numerous btrsrs. coal
boats. sfhouurrS. sluopS. ana 9th r craft.
Nearly all the boats now IN tins basin came
To winter quarters. down the river from the
| the northern amt western canals. heavily
loaded with gram and what r knuWn IN
the mark Is as country produrr and
| over one hundred are still loaded. The pro-
prI'tor- save the vNp"ns" OF Warri Gus ug
! handling, and carriage ty selling out Ill" ar
! goes to % produce merchants rs trn market
/ may demand. and. 49, ia" h,t~ arr very dry and
built with aviewto pr -cryln Vegetables ~ we'll
as could lf' done N housed on shore. thr boat
/ mon are thus enabled to hood uut tor an inn
! lrnvnnirnt of prices. which 49," rnulilmo M Of
! out~ fie cN p"rs,- would render inconycnicnt. If
! moi ruluuu-.
iur rat of wharfage during the winter at
the fHsiu-NhiHh may bo taken 10 rrpr srn'n-
tive Of otu'f basins uiet aIc similarly utilized 60
! ere IS follows.