The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-07-30
This paper Is Democratic IN principles
and Is Independent in its Dielos on all
local questions.
The Proposed Water Contract.

The Proposed Water Contract.
We publish in full today the report
of the Citizens Committee" on the
water question, embodying a more or
less elaborate draft of a contract,
which, in the Judgment of the com
mittee, might be made between Jer-
sey City and a company-not the
Montclair Water Company con
nected with Mr.. John r. Bartlett's
propaganda, with results favorable to
the city. 1t would be rash to attempt
to express a well-defined opinion upon
such an immense project without crit
ical examination of its details and
careful calculation of its probable
financial and other consequences. 1t
would be somewhat vain also to
gravely discuss a scheme which, while
it has no official character so far rs the
city is concerned, is repudiated in
some of its most essential details by
Mr.. Bartlett and those whom he rep
resents.
The whole situation moves us chiefly
to ask of all whom it may concern the
one old question, "Why should a
great city like Jersey City, go, like a
country village, to any water company
to buy a supply for its citizens? Why
should it not acquire first hand, from
the present owners, the lands and the
water-rights from which the supply
must be derived2 Why should it not
construct its own works with it's own
money, and on its own credit? What
is the need of a company to act as
middleman? Why should the city pay
ten per cent. to a company as profit
for doing what it ought by right do
itself?
These are questions that we find it
hard to answer to ourselves. Do they
seem clearer to anyone else2 Here is
Newark about to raise six millions of
dollars on bonds to buy water works
from Mr.. Bartlett's side partner, the
Lehigh Valley Railway Company. Is
it not certain that a big slice of the
money will go into the company's
treasury as profit? Why should not
Newark ave that profit by con
demning the necessary lands and
rights under the sovereign power of
the people, and building its own
works9 Why should not we do the
sameI
Later, we shall have more to say
concerning this proposal. and the
views which comp etent judges may
form concerning it.
THE Majah's Darn, a week behind
the age and all wrong as usual, lee
lures the Hunterdon Democrat for
structures upon the conduct Of the
soldiers during the National Guard
encampment at Sea Girt. Does not
the Majah know that the attack orig
mated with the State Gazette and was
duly rebuked in THE JERSEY Cry
NEWS a week ago.
Eight United States Senators and q Congress
man will be elected in each new State with the
exception of South Dakota, which will elect
two.-Ne,o BRUNSWICK Fredonias.
No, no, friend. You are indeed mis-
taken. The new States will only elect
two Senators each. Borrow a school
history and take a glance at the Con-
stitntion.
AS the matter stands, the Tide
Water Oil Company is accused of two
crimes, and it ought to be the duty
of the Grand Jury to enquire into
them.
First, it is accused of employing in
competent men in operations danger
to the public, because it has some
contest on foot with its skilled opera
tives.
Second, in the practice OF a paltry