Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-01-16
nta RaIERnnn Ina.
Inside ta,stOry OF the New York ans
New Jersey boundary Commission


The following remarkable story was
published az special dispatch from
Trenton, N. j., inthe New York tribune.
There is good deal more meaning to
the decision Of the boundary commission
that has Just ixed the territorial lines
between New York and New Jersey than
the a!loting to jersey of the statue OF
liberty and numerous famous land and
water marks in New York bay. II means
a considerable addition to the Golfers of
this little state fer one thing. But Sc veral
OF the large railroads, notably, the Penu-
sylvanta and Lehigh Valley, will reap the
greatest benefit. To them The decision
IL Of inestimnhle value aud Importance.
The truth Ia, they were instrumental in
arranging the appointment OF the COM
mission that hxsd up the new boundaries.
For 10 yeara the Pennsylvania railroad
has been aiming to secure mammoth ter
ninal facilities on the Jersey shore. The
objective point was the magnificent
stretch of water front extending from
Constable Hook to Communipaw. The
length is about three miles, or about the
saple distance IS that between Communi-
paw and Weehgwken. Between these
latter places are now crowded the ter
minn points Of the Reading, Lehigh
Valley, Pennsylvania, Erie, Delaware,
Lsckawanns aud Western, New York,
Ontario and Western and West Shore
roads. These latter all front on the
Hudson river, with the exception Of the
Reading, which lands almost on line
with point whete the Hudson MERGE
into tue bay. None Of them ships
diEe9tly 10 Europe but uaa lirhterage
s5stUm. The Pennsylvania wants, and
30 do the other roads for that matter,
terminal facilities that will include
doclsSea bic enough to admit Of the Ian T.
Ing sld loading Of ocean vessels. Thu
Baltimore Il Ohio has sach facilities
shead when ita bridge to staten Island is
in operation. Robert Garrett and
Erastus Wimsn, this projectors of the
bridge, expected othsr big roads wonld
GENE over the bdi.a also. Perhaps they
would had the boundary lines been lees
IN jerseys favor. 5nf nov stlien Island
Is completely lett, with ths lonas9m ex.
cepti2n at the Baltimore y Oht3.
The one irawsack 20 tho big Sohane
that the brains o. the Pennsylvania man-
agement conceived zAs tho fact that the
water near the jersey shore was too sbai-
low for vessels ~ lar4e draufht. When
the water got deep ounrTh the Jersey
line was passed and New York territory
was reached. II was comp arAiivsly easy
to work the Jersey end OF tho p.oiacI.
The jersey Legislature has bean decidedly
susceptible to railroad i1fluance and
manipulation ever since he days Of the
old Camdeu Il Amboy, hslt century
aIo. The kipnriaa commissioners have
been advancing this new project for ssv-
eEal years. At the last session of the
legislature they recommended the selling
OF the states water rights to the roads at
ressonahle figure. The resolu ion to
carry the recommendation into effect
came mighty near passing, but failed ut
the last moment, At the comiuR SEES.
sion, which begins next week, a similar
relo ution will uCql stionably be oar
red. The water front OF the owners OF
the upland along the shore has been
qdietly purchased during the past few
years, and everything will soon be in
shape for work TO begin. l few years
the hneat terminal facilities in the world
Will line the newly acquired Jersey waters.
But all this could not have happened
80 comfortably had New York retained
control Of the outside water line needed
to make the project complete. ANY at
tempt to secure Legislation Cor the pur-
pose at Albany would have been cam.
batted yiRorously. The 3. Il o. and Staten
Island Rapid Transit Companies, which
| Rare hlindly ra!u3ed to see VIA. was IA
| progress here in Nsw Jer 81 would have
awakened and gone to Hogk hard had
nsaenres looking to the sacrifice Of
riparian rights IN TIE rpper bay been in.
troduced in th5 New York legislature.
TO the boundary commission idea was
bfough, forward. TIC resolution to sab-
riit the question ia commits ioners no.
| pointed hy ID COVER Of the respective
states wen. as On ckly and innoeeutly
through q. Albany as 1t did here Ut
| Trenton. II vas supposed to be neces
4 sGfy in order 10 decide the dis.
I putes Of cyatcrmea IL Rarisan bay.
Tie oystermsn d9dz6 was cleveriy
| conceived ani worried admirably.
! WLsn the oOmpi4siuasrs got to.
1 ga!he. the jersey delegation vas all
cooked and pfimsi. lacy knew wha,
+ was wanted and taev we're loaded with
historical ammunition of such heavy
4 cAitnfe Tia tho NeT Workers. we're com-
pletely kIoSkei out Taey went through
the taGins C: tepituouy ia ds2ad sort
OF way and Welded every point pretty
/ rnrh 70 tho JsrWyai4a. Only when all
was over AID the decision reaDaad and
signed, did ,Ley begiu to comprehend
taa importance ol ta4.g wGrS.
! Nothing cal DO done nov, unless Il ia
/ doue 10 the New Jetaey legislature; AID
1t il uSaie91 f0r the B4l;lmore Il Onio to
Try % DO EnythiGg at rEsstul. Tnat road
4 hiisea tselt ny .ae enemies Il made By
4 10 folly tlr5e yonrs agU, when tns Staten
Island bridge was before tie lesi latuse
/.