The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-01-16
State Control of the water.

SIatc OOntTOl Oh the dlcFs
The Board of Trade earned the
thanks of the whole community on
Friday evening by the action which
it took upon the water question. 1t
not only stamped upon the infamous
scheme of piracy which was the result
of Mr.. Davis INSCRIPTIONS interfer-
ence, but it further presented, took up,
and endorsed, practical measures look
ing towards a solution of the water
problem on the best possible basis.
The control of the potable water
supply of the State by a State
board has always appeared to us the
ideal method of disposing of the sub
ject. We believe that, in the future,
the increase of population about
Newark, Paterson and Jersey City, as
centres, will coerce a pooling of the
entire drainage of the great northern
watersheds, a complete storage of
their entire product, and a proper ap-
portionment of it according to popu-
lation. 1t is more than probable that,
to fully provide for the wants of its
people, the State will have to obtain
from New York complete control of
the Ramapo's waters.
The practical question of the hour,
of course, is whether this State inter-
ference is or is not yet premature, and
whether the cities interested can be got
to consent to it. Those who have
studied the matter advance arguments
to show that the coast towns and
cities and places a. far south as Tren-
ton and Burlington are just as prac-
tically affected by the project as the
northern cities, and their aid has
been sought. on this, assumption, to
put an end to the rivalry of Newark
and Jersey City by outvoting both
and taking the whole matter out of
their hands.
To a ~far-seeing man, it Is never too
late to do the thing that must be
done in the long run. Many of the
wisest men in the State are of opinion
that the Legislature should have
taken control of the watersheds, years
g Governor Albeit appears,
judging from his message of 1892, to
have very advanced opinions in this
direction. Probably a anvass of all
the ablest men in the State would
show them practically unanimous in
favor of the idea. provided they have
studied the question at all and that
they have no selfish interests at stake.
But it is by no means equally certain
that the members of the Legislature
can be got to look at it the right way.
With some of these. local pride and
local jealousy blind reason, while
others, regarding the question as a
mere squabble between two cities
which both want tho same thing,
treat the whole matter with indif-
ference.
1t may, therefore, be doubted
whether this plan of State regulation,
e%minently wise and practical though
it be, can be successfully carried
through. Newark having got-or,
rather, thinking she has got-all she
wants in the way of water, will, of
course, strenuously oppose the move
ment, and Jersey City will not find it
easy to get outside support for her
cause. The very just and proper
water bills, which have been urged by
Hudson men for the last two years,
have invariably been distrusted by
outside members of both Houses as
mere jealous aggressions on Newark's
rights.
But as long as there is a chance of
something being won through legis-
lation, our citizens are right to urge
it. We hope to see introduced in
both Houses at IN early date and
vigorously pushed, both of the bills
endorsed by the Board of Trade.
Even if they cannot be passed, they
cannot fail to have a good educational
effect, and SO hasten, in a measurable
degree, the solution of n of the
most important questions IN the IN
ternal economy of the State.
Judge Werts' Record on the Bench.
Judge Werts. when he stepped
down from the Bench on Saturday,
left behind him more respect and es-
TEEN than have often been earned by
any man in the same short space OF
time. He came to Hudson county
nine short months ago, personally
q stranger to the place and the
people; in that time he has earned the
cordial liking and the warm regard
Of, the Bar. and the profound respect
ofsthe entire community.
1t was net a surprise to anyone that