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

The total net Assets Of the New Jersey local
building and loan associations are reported %
amount 70 81 5000, The property q 20. 4osrock-
holders, the greater portion q which y secured
BY mortgages on the houses bailt BY means Of
loans from these associations. In al there are
81 associations whose aggregate capital g
divided into 81. 800 shares.
THE institution for Feeble Minded Women ard
he Washington Association Of New Jersey are
given brief attention.
water supply.
The question Of the conservation and control q
the potable waters Of the state for the parposss
of public water supply 70 cities and towns h Of
far reaching interest and impoFtance 70 every
center Of population, present and prospective.
within is limits. and has attracted the attention
Of the legislature from time to time. Is Is attestcd
By the water legislation Of the past nfteen years.
It Is the duty Of the state to act m this depart
ment as the guardian Of the interests Of AL -
citizens. The waters Of the state are q porfion>N
the public domain held BY it as a trustee fof the
use Of the public. and legislation regarding them
has been based upon this theory. The doctrine of
the common law, which denies 70 riparian pro
prietors any actual property. or any ownership
whatever. 10 the water Of streams has been At
armed By repeated decisions
Claims have, however. been recenfiy made. 80
sought to be upheld by legislation and BY the
acquisition Of alleged vested rights in the waters
Of certain Of the nonfldai rivers Of the state. toe
distinct property right in running water. treating
Il As a chattel which may be conveyed from
place 10 place within or beyond the boundaries Of
the state. and sold or disposed Of a. a commodity.
The physical geography and confSuration q
the state are such that abundant sources Of the
purest water are found among the hills and
mountains Of the northern Counties at an eiesa-
ton sufficiently great 10 enable IL 70 be econoz1-
ically distributed by gravitation alone 10 almost
81, II not all. the cities and towns o. the state by
the adoption Of a comprehensive system OF state
water supply. Such q system would effect q great
saving in cost and an equal gain In efficiency
Of service and purity Of quality over the method
Of separate supplies from local sources.
steps should be taken BY the legislature look
ing to the elaboration Of such 8 plan as contem-
plated by the creation Of the state water CON-
mission in 1852 laws 1872 ,. 80 The work
done BY that body covered only the northeastern
portion OF the state. the plans for which were
presented in the report Of the commission in
1884. since which time no work has been done.
Until a complete system for the whole state =
formulated projection should be afforded By the
legislature to the smaller communities against
any attempted exclusive occupation by single
cities. in excess Of their reasonable demands, Of
valuable sources Of water supply.
y. this connection l call the attention Of the
legislahuac 70 the iono"Ank acS fenoAns ~ -
last session. Wa.
4 /. Assembly bin No. SIS, providing for amend
ments to the act Of March %. 1853 LAWS 1855, p.
BID.
2 Assembly bill No. 5os. providing for an appro-
priation to the state water commissions created BY
the act Of March 81, iesg, and the filing Of vacan-
cies In the board
s. Assembly bin No. 52s providing for amend
ments 70 the act Of April n, 1876.
The right Of the state 60 stop any act which
would diminish the flow Of any stream Of potar
bic water from points within to places without
the state. to the injury Of our communities, should
be carefully guarded
An examination of these bills viii enable the
legislature TO formulate some practical measure
10 protect the rights Of the state and its smaller
communities on the vital question Of pure water
supply for our people
In conclusion I recommend that the legislature
make no additional appropriations unless they
are for purposes of present and pressing nsees-
sify.
II being Impossible under the present condition
Of the treasury to provide during The fiscal year
for the payment OF all appropriations. and some
Of the objects provided for BY these appropri<-
tions being Of greater importance than the others
/ suggest that the goverHor, comptroller and
treasurer be authorized to use the public funds 10
nav approximations without regard 10 priority -
legislative action, so as to enable them 70 use
their discretion in this respect Tor the best inter
ests of the state
shan at all times be pleased TO consult with
the members Of the senate and assembly upon an
matters Of public interest
Invoke the blessing Of God ueon all our labors.
and pray that he wiz make our duy clear. and
give as strength to perform it with Wisdom and
Judgment LEON AbBETE
Executive Department. Trensoa- Jan. "a