The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-02-19
SOUTH COVE'S FUTURE
Not Likely to Be Rented to
the Reading Railway
Combination.
FOR WHARVES AND PIERS.
1t Is Sure to Bring in a Big
Revenue for Which the Pub
lie May Thank the Cor"
poratiOn Counsel.

The greatest legal fight in which Jersey
City has ever been engaged is concluded,
and the result is complete victory for
the city. This condition of affairs is due
to the efforts of Corporation Counsel
Edwards, assisted by Messrs. Collins and
Corbin.
The victory referred to is the securing
of the famous South Cove grant, reported
in yesterdays NEWS, which comprises
nearly twenty acres of ground, and at the
very lowest figure Is estimated to be
worth one and one-haIf millions of dollars.
The fight was an interesting one, and as
such valuable tract of land was the
prize. the counsel for both sides strained
every nerve for victory.
Corporation Counsel Edwards defended
the city's interests. assisted by ex-Mayor
Collins and Mr.. CorDin, while the Central
Railroad Company had equally eminent
counsel in Ex-Governor Bedle and eX-
Chancellor Williamson.
Since 1872 the city's Jaw officers talked
of bringing suit to recover the grant. If
possible, but no real action was taken un-
til Mr.. Collins was elected Mayor. AS
the chief executive of the city he called
attention to the fact that the Central
Railroad Company was gobbling up acres
of land on the river front which rightfully
belonged to the CITY, No one seemed
alive to the Interests OF the city except
Mr.. Collins, but when Mr.. William ID.
Edwards was chosen Corporation Counsel
steps were at once taken to establish the
city's right to the grant.
KNEW THE SITUATION.
Mr.. Edwards was thoroughly familiar
with the conditions of the grant. He
was familiar with all the circumstances
lin "a Ha did how
ever, feel inclined to assume the entire
responsibility of fighting such corpora
tion as the Central, and he accordingly
obtained the assistance of Messrs. Collins
g. Corbin.
Then began litigation which has be.
come famous in the history of the State.
Every point was hotly contested by the
opposing lawyers, but in ali the
preliminary hearings the city
gained victories The matter was
carried to the Supreme Court
aud there argued and the case was about
to be decided by Chief Justice Beasley.
when the Alderman endeavored to un-
dermine Corporation Counsel Edwards
glory and victory by securing extra
counsel to aid him after the case had
been virtually completed.
Mr.. Edwards objected to the appoint
ment of an assistant under the circum-
stances and his remonstranca was backed
whose members fully appreciated what
Mr.. Edwards had done for the city in
conducting the fight and carrying it to
victory.
The triumph belongs to Mr.. Edwards,
as he personally conducted the argu-
ments. The securing OF this grant Is of
inestimable value to the city.
AN APPEAL LIKELY.
The case will undoubtedly be appealed
by the Railroad Company, but before
being able to do this the company will,
under the law, be compelled to file bond
of indemnity to the city against any loss
during such litigation.
The land was granted to the city bv the
State Legislature Tor the nominal consid-
Grafton of $1,000. but IS the Board of AL
dermen did not pay the money as prompt
ly as the terms of the grant required, the
Central Railroad took possession and still
holds it today. The company during the
preliminary proceedings frightened its
grasp upon the property by grabbing
pieces of it at night. The Street and
Water Commissioners took steps to
check these raids, and went so
far as to put police on the ground
to prevent further encroachments.
ers were making this fight against tie
company the Corporation Counsel was
fighting the company on ejectment pro-
Finally through Judge Knapp peace
was restored and under an agree
ment made between Corporation
Counsel Edwards and ex-Chancellor
Williamson, the Central Railroad Com
pany was permitted to lay tracks so as to
reach its coal pockets ut Henderson
street. The company having secured this
permission. land grabbing was stopped,
and the lawyers interested in the case
fought it on its merits.
IT
When the grant was made to the city
the entire twenty acres We're under water
and the greater part of the land is still
submarined. Henderson street formerly
stopped for traffic at the Morris Canal,
but the street was subsequently, filed in
beyond the Canal to the shops of the Cen
tral Company. This about the only i'm
provement made on the ground since it
was granted to the city.
WILL TAKE POSSESSION.
"What will the city do now?" l asked
Mr. Edwards yesterday.
"Take possession" he replied. 'Just as
soon as the Judgment Is signed and en-
tered. execution will follow. We have
won the suit and the property is ours"
"Will the company appeal the case?"
asked.
"Of course" he continued. "We ex-
meet that, but If it does, good large
bond of indemnity must be filed with the
gun, The Judgment is clear and every
point is decided in favor of the CITY,"
"What value do you place upon the
property, as it now is?'
sit is worth at the very lowest figure
one million dollars"
'.What will be the result of the city's
taking possessionr
"The Judgment coming in our favor
simply means the moving OF the great
basin back to the north at least two hun
dred feet, and it will also widen the great
basin to about three hundred feet.
Twill that give the city water front
at this point?'
ut will most assuredly, and a most
valuable one. After the company appeals
the case, and it is decided in our favor,
we will make proper arrangements for
the construction of wharvesand piers.
The property included in this grant is all
under water save that portion of 1t whicn
the Railroad Company filled in at Hen
derson street, which enables it to reach
their works aJ the foot of the street.
NO RIGHT TO SELL
"Can the city ever sell this grantY
asked.
"The city cannot sell it," continued Mr..
Edwards; "and 1 doubt very much l.
the city officials would ever think of do
ing any such thing. The property be-
longs TO the city and what is to be done
with it remains entirely with the Street
and Water Commissioners. That prop
erty could be dredged, anu it
..-t1 ha p,ofa no waa OriOfu 81 iv