The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-04-29
AN ODD WATER BILL.


IL proposes Co AuIhorlze Gne Gonuemna-
tion of Rights in Aqueducts.
Special to the JERSEY CITY Ne1os.
TRENTON, April 20, 1890. .--Assemblyman
Mullone has a bill before the House
which is somewhat startling in its pro-
posals 1t is interesting in view of the
current agitation of the water supply
question. The bill is No. 532 and reads as
IOllows:-
/. BIZ IT ENACTED by the Senate and General
Assembly of the State Of Neao Jersey That any
city of this State needing new or additional
works for the better supply of such city with
water, may erect and construct, or may contract
for the erection and construction of all such
works as may be necessary to procure such sup
ply and provide for the storage and distribution
thereof, or may purchase and own the whole or
q joint interest in water works heretofore con-
structed (Which whole or joint interest the
owner or owners of such water works are here
by authorized to sell and convey, where such
works so constructed are available for the sup
ply OF such city. either alone or Jointly with
other cities and towns of this State; and there
upon such city shall hold maintain and enjoy
such water works and such other real and per-
sonal estate and franchises as may be necessary
to their operation as fully and with the same
rights and privileges as If the same had been pur
chased under the act to which this act is a sup
plement
q And be it enacted That where any such CITY
has heretofore lawfully contracted for or may
hereafter contract for, or determine upon the
erection and construction Of water works for the
supply OF SUCH city as Aforesaid, such city shall
have power, if it Be deemed necessary, to pur-
chase, or in case of inability to agree with any
owner, to condemn such lands, waters and
rights, as may be required therefor, and in like
manner, il deemed necessary, to purchase or
condemn water works, or joint interest IN and
use thereof, and the method of procedure, if
condemnation proceedings are taken, shall be
the same provided for by the act to which this
act Is a supplement-; proUided, however, that
such city shall not be authorized to contract for
or pledge its credit for the providing Of such
xyaf farc Far M In af fka
of bonded Indebtedness now allowed by law to
be created for the purchase Of water, water
rights or property and works.; and provided,
that the supply of water furnished TO or ac-
quired by any other city or town of this State
shall not in any event be impaired or diminished
below the amount needed for the reasonable use
and consumption of its inhabitants, by the use of
the power Of condemnation, nor shall the dis
tributing pipes and works within any other
city or town, or that are necessary for distrib-
uting such supply Of water therein, be taken by
condemnation under this act or the act to which
this act is q supplement; and provided further,
that nothing herein contained shall be SO con-
strued as to prevent any municipality from ac-
quiring by purchase or condemnation, lands,
waters, personal property, rights or privileges
necessary or proper for supplying such munich
pality with water from any source whatever,
the same as If this act had not been passed.
3. And be 1t enacted, That where any aque-
duct board or other water board. having control
OF the water supply In any of the cities of this
State, now has in its possession any moneys,
funds or securities derived by taxation for the
purpose OF paying and redeemlng bonds hereto
fore issued by such board and such funds are
not legally applicable to the payment or re-
demption of the bonds so issued and such bonds
have been otherwise paid and redeemed, it shall
be lawful for such board to use or pay over such
moneys, funds and securities, to be used for the
purpose of providing new or additional works
for the supply OF such city with water, under
any statute regulating such expenditure; pro
vided. holceVer, that nothing in this act con-
tanned shall deprive any board of such city OF
any concurrent power possessed by it in the ex-
penditure Of money or contracts relating there
10.
\ 4. Ind be it enacted, That this act shall take
effect Immediately. and that all acts and parts of
acts Inconsistent herewith be, and the same are
hereby repealed.
Mr.. L. B. Ward, of the State Water
Board, who is interested in the bill said
last evening The object of the measure
is to enable city to acquire joint inter
est in the water works of another city,
either by purchase or condemnation. 1t
is in pursuance of the idea formulated by
the State Water Commission Of establish
ing q collective water supply Of the
waters of the State as distinguished
from the existing system by which each
city is obliged to go to its own source of
supply and build separate and indepen-
dent works for the supply Of water for its
inhabitants, or IN case of its inability to
do so, contract with some neighboring
city which has such a supply, for water
to he furnished by cOntract''