The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-01-09
CITY POPULATION OF NORTHERN NEW JERSEY.

Liz I'LL ooS v 49,
about 40 per cent. The consumption of water
in the large cities is above 100 gallons per
capita daily, and the tendency is to increase.
Taking this as the rate, 100000 gallons
would be required daily, but the actual con-
sumption may be estimated at 60,0O0,00V gal
Ions in 1890. Increasing at the rate OF Il per
cent, this would become as follows:-l9OO,
81, 900. 900; 1910, III, 500, 1000; 1920. l64,40O,-
600: 1880, 230, 400, 000; 1910, 1872, 900, 900; 1851,
451 100000 gallons daily.
Now, the total supply, above indicated, OF
potable waters reasonably accessible to this
district is 400, 90 5000 gallons daily, and by
our estimates this will all be required in
about fifty years, which is not a long time
for a State to look forward. The necessity
of wise and judicious development of these
water sheds for the benefit of all of this pop
ulous district, rather than their segregation TO
the uses of a few powerful communities, Is
what these figures seem to teach.
aThe entire metropolitan population, includ-
ing the above and the counties of New York,
Kings and Richmond, with Long Island City
and Newtown, in Queens county, State OF
New York, a~ggregating 3,1S0,035 IN 1890, and
the average increase for three decades has
been 32.2 per cent. Estimating an increase
of 80 per cent, per decade, it will reach d.
349, 900 bv 1850, and will require at 100 gal
Ions Der capita. 300 square miles of water
sheds to supply it. 1t can readily be seen
that all potable waters will eventually be-
come of great value, and that the question
can only be successfully dealt with as a
whole, comprehensively."
The facts and figures thus collated Justify
the opinion expressed as to the lesson they
convey. The time has certainly arrived
when the State, acting for the general well
fare, should exert its authority toprevent
the acquisition of the sources of potable
water supply, by private corporations for
private gate, or the exclusive appropriation
thereof by single municipalities. All legally
vested rights of individuals or corporations
should OF course be respected, but the pre-
rogative of eminent domain should, in this
matter, be exercised to its fullest extent by
the State in its own behalf.
l recommend legislation On this subject,
similar in character to that proposed in As
sembly bill No. 443, introduced (but not pass
ed) in the last. Legislature, entitled San Act
| to ascertain the rights of the State in certain
of the waters of the State, and to provide
for furnishing a State Water Supply to the
municipalities thereof. and to creates State
| Water Board, empowered to construct and
maintain works for that purpose"
HORSE RACING AND BETTING.
/ recommend the absolute repeal of chap
tiers is. IL and IS of the laws of 1898, known
as the race track laws" This should bs
done, not only upon moral grounds, but in
obedience to the popular will ~emphatically
expressed.
If it be the legislative desire to apply radi
cal treatment to the subject-matter of horse
racing and betting thereon, the proviso con-
tanned in section IS of thu Grimes act tRe-
vision 231. should be repealed, and chapter
147 Of the laws of 1880 should be repealed
bodily.
The proviso in section SIS permits horse
racing at fairs and exhibitions of any agri-
| cultural or other incorporated society or
body. Without exception. all tracks where
racing is habitually carried on, and most
other tracks, are owned by some incorporated
society or body, for the purpose Of bringing
! them within the proviso of section %. The
| simple repeal of the legislation of last winter
will not prevent horse racing. 1t Will re-
main unlawful under the proviso of sec
| ton IS.
Prior to the passage of chapter 147 of the
laws of 1886, betting on any horse race, or
being stakeholder thereat, or adyertis
ing any such race, OF being rider or driver
thereat, or contributing to or procur-
ing to be made up, any purse to be
/ raced for, or leasing or permitting lands
to be used for racing purposes, was unlaw7
| full and punishable by fine and IMPRISONMENT,
under sections IS, 81. So and 50 OF the Crimes
Act. (Rev. 237)
Chapter lat of the laws Of 1850, by amend
ments to the four sections last mentioned,
purports to legalize the practices theretofore
interdicted by those sections, when the same
are done on the grounds or under the
auspices of a fair or any agricultutalor other
incorporated body.
1t will thus be seen that, although the
legislation of last winter be repealed, morse
racing will still be legal, under the proyiso
in section SIS, and betting, and the Offering
of prizes or purses to be raced for, will be
legal under the legislation Of 1885, # horse
racing, for purses or otherwise remains
legalized, the opportunity for betting there