The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-05-20
WIND AND WATER.
Assembly Hearing on Mr.. Mullone's
Aqueduct Condemnation Bill.
Special to the Jersey CITY Ne,os.

TRENTON, May 20, 1s9o.-The House
committee on Judiciary gave hearing
yesterday afternoon on Mr.. Mnllone's
water bill. State Water Commissioner
L. B. Ward, Stephen B. Ransom, Ex-
Speaker John D. Carscallen and DR..
Isaac N. Quimby appeared for Jersey
City, and Colonel E. D. Price looked after
the interests of Newark.
Assembiyina Muii0ne, the FIRST speaker
said the bill was of the most vital i'm
acquired control over the water system
Of the northern part of the State to the
detriment of other cities This bill ala
lowed those cities TO secure a portion of
the surplus of the water Of the Pequan-
mock system. Jersey City, he said,
wanted TO acquire by purchase or con-
demnation the right of water supply
without being compelled to pay elaborate
rates, and be left at the mercy of the Lee
high Valley water syndicate. Jersey
City was much in need Of pure and
wholesome water supply.
Mr.. Kalisch said that Newark had just
bonded herself for So, ,000, 900 for water
supply, ana he asked Mr.. Mullone it it
was his intention to infringe on the vest
ed rights of that city.
Mr. Mullone replied that such was not
the intention of those who advocated the
measure. Jersey City did not intend to
interfere with the rights of Newark at
all. All she desired was to secure pure
and wholesome supply of water from the
northern part of the State without paying
an extortionate rate.
Mr.. Campbell, of the committee, quoted
from the bill to show that under it the
source of any water supply in the State
could be condemned. Mr.. Mullone de-
MED that such was the proper construc-
ton of its provisions. He said that the
original act had been passed ostensibly to
give Newark water supply, but really
to prevent other cities from obtaining
similar privileges.
Mr.. Ransom said all the property any
one can acquire in water is In its use
while it flows from its source to sea.
1t was great folly for State to part with
the control Of its water. This bill simply
provided that any city of the State might
have the power of erecting water works
or adding to those already built
in order to supply its Inhabitants with
that the water supply of the northern
part of the State was sufficient to supply
ali the cities in that part of the State for
half a century to come. 1t was said that
the State has passed laws permitting
companies to store this water. This bill
simply gave Jersey City the right to
condemn such portion of that water she
might need, but was guarded with safe
guards and provided that she should not
Interfere with the vested right of any
other city. "The bill, y said he, "will pre-
vent any city from obtaining monopoly
of the waters other cities may need. That
is all. The bill interiors with the rights
of no one"
Mr. Kalisch, of the committee, remarked
that the State had several years since
given way to the water companies. I'm
der that law Jersey City had the same
rights as Newark. This bill would injure
the rights of an innocent party-the city
of Newark, which had already made a
contract with these companies.
| Every member of the committee bom-
barded Mr.. Ransom with puzzling ques-
| tions to show that the bill permitted the
condemnation of every water works in
| the State. But he would not admit that
| the proposition was true.
| Mr. Ward attempted to speak, but Mr..
Kalisch interrupted him by saying that
Jersey City might as well try to condemn
| q portion of Newark's Fire Department..
| Mr.. Ward replied that he was only seek
| ing free trade in water.
| Colonel Charles W. Fuller, who has an
| idea stored somewhere in his supply Of
4 gray matter that he is funny, without an
| invitation from any one, pushed his
! whiskers In between two of the gentle
| men from Jersey City and delivered a
harangue. He vilified Jersey City's
credit and abused the gentlemen who
| favored the bill Then ne started into a
| glorification of his career when. in the
! House and rolled the words "Fuller's
bill' under his tongue like sweet NOR
sell The hearing then developed into 6
| general conversation in which every ons
present took part.
The questions of the members of this
committee plainly indicate that the bill
will never emerge from their committed
room.
The Bill Endorsed.
At the meeting of the Board of Trade
Hast night Mr. Joseph A. Dear spoke ii
lali iuncacxr OF Mr. Ml1l7ona,s xuafar hill