The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-01-13

additional sources OF revenue. / suggested
to the legislature several modes of ~increas-
ing the state revenue. In view OF the
strong necessity for such legislation an act
was passed entitled, IAN act for the use OF
the proceeds of riparian sales, grants and
leases" which was approved March u,
1890 q. 1890, p. 92D. This act dealt only
with future grants n leases, and did not
affect any Of those heretofore made,
which, under the constitution and the
laws, had become a part of the school fund.
All the money collected from riparian
grants or leases during the fiscal year end
ing Oct. 81, 1890. was paid into the chool
fund. The leases which nave been turned
into grants since that date have also been
placed in the school fund. Under the new
grants made since that date S41 ,057.51 has
been paid into the state fund and used with
other moneys 70 pay on 100000 OF the tenn
porary loans of the state. l believe that
the revenue from this source will in time
pay all the temporary loans of the state
and enable it to make the expenditures al
ready authorized by the legislature.
The report of the riparian commissions
ers shows
Grants in fee $o5,b16 .
Leases converted into grants In fee. 357, go 20
Rentals on leases heretofore made..... 10f.s2l II
Cash received BY state treasurer. i. /. !. .s5i7.e77 70
Grants in fee (cash reserved and depos-
lied in reserve fund OF commission
ers, as per act Of April II, 1889 ...... $1,000 90
Principal sum of new leases made dur
ing the year. 5l,4Sv 70
Total .s57e,5 10
. Idirected the attorney general to
commence proceedings for the recovery by
the state of lands heretofore leased in tidal
waters where the rentals ave for a series
Of years remained unpaid. The rapidly in
creasing value of the lands under water
has induced me to seek the cancellation of
oil fhaua tnnaae GN Tint fha state ~ " NOT
be restricted, in making a grant Of the fee
in these lands hereafter, to the amount
named as the principal sums in the out
standing leases.
The board calls attention to the desira-
bility of legislative action for the preven-
ton of the unlawful digging and removal
of sand from the reefs and bars existing in
the tidal streams of the state. Applica-
tions to dig sand from under tidal waters
ave been received by the board, but there
is no statute under which they can give
such power. An act giving the board this
power would add TO the revenue of the
state.
The board also suggests that there should
be a law giving il the power to control the
occupation and improvement of reefs and
bars in tidal streams, the right to do so
being questioned under present acts. If
such a power were clearly vested in the
board a large revenue could, in their judy
ment, be obtained.
The wharf act (sec. 9. D. $50, revision)
should be repealed so that hereafter no
license could be granted in the state under
the wharf act of March Is, 1851.
No title to the states lane passes under
the wharf act, but the existence of 1t in
certain parts OF the state enables the board
of ~freeholders to give theprivilege of erect
ing wharves without compensation on
certain tide waters n streams, the result
of which naturally interferes with the sale
or leasing OF the a by the state. The
parties who obtain these wharf rights
would take a grant of lands from the state
n pay therefor the same as Others if thu
wharf act were repealed. The wharf act
no longer exists in New York bay, the
Hudson river or the Kill Won Kull, and
there is no reason why it should continue
in existence in my other part of the state.
The six months notice to be given to
shore owners by the state of sales of land
to other parties ought not to be limited to
New York bay, the Hudson river and the
XIII Won kull, as it is at present. The
right of the state to sell its lands under
water in every part Of the state, after CIV
ing such notice. should be as clear in other
parts of the state as it is in these localities.
/ also recommend that section 10 of the
act of March 81, 1869 (para. 10, rev. D. 1851,
be repealed, and that the shore owner
should ave no right by condemnation or
otherwise; that after the expiration of the
six months given by the notice his rights
l@aA~AA 1872 80 AR 1O1AAC , ~
take the LAM at the fixed price.
L recommend that power be expressly
given to the board so as to prevent any
hereafter, by which they will
the right to sell and lease any land
of the state under water, such as bars,
shoals or flats, under proper regulations,
so as not to interfere with any legal rights
of parties owning land ON the shore fronts.
l also recommend that power be given
to the commission to permit the dredging
- . aa.N 49, - - -s.--- -
streams, upon receiving compensation
therefor. This dredging would improve
the navigation by increasing the depth of
the streams, and at the same time give
the state revenue. 1t is now done by par
ties who have no right to do it, and who
take the soil from the lands of the state
because they need it.
/ also recommend that the board be given
power to lease for a term of years, with the
right to renew such leases upon such terms
as they may deem for the interests of the
state.
If the legislature will amend the law, as
suggested by the commissioner and in this
message, | am confident that they will be
able to increase the revenue from this
source to such an extent as to pay off all
the obligations of the state within a few
years and leave money to be expended.
under appropriations by the legislature,
for needed Improvements and the ~increas-
ing wants OF the institutions of our state.
Agriculture.
The universal complaint of those inter-
ested In farming induced me Jan. 90, 1890,
to request the state board of agriculture to
appoint a committee to cooperate with the
governor, n a committee to be appointed
by the legislature, TO investigate the pres
ent depressed condition of this industry,
and if possible to devise some measures Of
relief. The state board promptly responded
by appointing a committee of seven, one
from each congressional district. This com .
mittee has published a pamphlet of twenty
two pages containing the result of their
investigation, and / commend it to the
careful consideration of the legislature.
After repeated conferences with the COM
mittee it was decided TO request the county
boards, oranges and other agricultural or
CARNATIONS throughout the n tie to hold
special meetings for the confederation OF
certain questions which were formulated
by the committee, the secretary of the state
board and the governor.
These questions were sent to about fifty
farmers organizations throughout the
state, and replies were received from vari-
Gus county boards, from oranges and other
organizations and unions, and from sixty
or more individuals. The replies indicated
a great diversity of opinion. Upon a few
points there seemed to be unanimity. viz:
f1rst-That the average depreciation Of
farm lands in the various counties of the
state during the past fifteen or twenty
years IS about 40 per cent.
Ihere are many reasons given for this de-