The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-10-24
WATER POLLUTION.
Aldermen Resolve to En-
ploy Counsel to Appeal
to the Courts.
UNDER THE LAW OF 1852
Think the River Could Be Damned
Stirring Up the Finance
and Water Boards.

ers, to take a hand in settling the water
problem, which now appears to be hope
lessly tied up because of the differences
between the Street and Water Commits
sioners. Alderman Michael Day, leader
of the Democratic minority, acted, it is
said, as the mouth-piece of that pure
water advocate, Lebbeus B. Ward. He
started the ball rolling by Offering a
resolution asking the concurrence of the
Board of Finance in the expenditure
of a sum not to exceed 81, 900 for the
engagement of counsel to enforce the
city's right to prevent the pollution
of the Passafc by individuals, corpora
tons, towns or cities. The resolution
provided that the counsel to be en-
gagged should be agreed upon by the
Presidents of the Board of Aldermen
and Board of finance.
81 am afraid" said Alderman Dusen-
berry, referring to extensive notes, that
the Alderman from the First district
is not well posted on what the Street
and Water and Finance Boards nave
done in this line. We are taking up
this matter at a very late day"
II know all that" interrupted Alder
man Day. eve have been asleep, and
put to sleep, I must say, by the mem
bers of boards who are appointed Off
Gals, not elective.
II want it understood that this is not
a party measure by any means. 1 am
interested in this water problem as a
property owner. What right has any
board in this city to surrender our sa-
cred rights in the Passatc and fasten
upon us an obnoxious and damaging
contract? If the city officials won't al
low US to spend 81, 200 in protecting our
water rights, then I will wager tina
I can and will find one hundred men
who will donate $500 each to carry this
matter into the courts.
"The law of 1852 very plainly vests in
our city the right to prevent the con-
tamination of our source of supply. Let
me read you the law I refer to. 1t is
as follows:-
THE OLD LAW.
Section Northumberland if any per-
son or persons shall maliciously or will
fully divert the water or any portion
thereof from the said works, or shall
corrupt or render the same impure, or
shall destroy or injure any canal, aque-
duct, pipe, conduit, machinery, or other
property used or required for procuring
or distributing the water, such person or
persons, and their aiders and abettors,
shall forfeit to the said Commissioners,
to be recovered in an action of tres
pass, treble the amount of damages
which shall appear On trial to have been
sustained; and all such acts are hereby
declared to be misdemeanors, and the
- rtia- found o1,iI+v 3tbJaraof NOV he
further punished by fine not exceeding
one thousand dollars, or by imprison-
ment not exceeding one year, or both,
at the discretion of the Court
What more does Jersey City want?
What are our officials thinking of in at
tempting to fasten an unnecessary debt
of s. ,000,0 900 upon us, when, by the ex-
penditure of 81, 600 or perhaps $1,000, we
can obtain rs pure and wholesome water
as is to be found in this land? Let Jer-
sey City contest in the courts her right
to prevent the pollution of the Passaic,
and I'll wage a great deal that every
court will sustain and protect the city.
Let us stick to our present supply and
allow the State to sewer the river and
carry the pollution that now empties
into the stream down below our intake.
We should open our eyes to what is go
ing on around US or we may have
them opened for us some day in an I'M
pleasant manner. l insist upon diSin-
terested counsel being engaged for this
reason. This is not the first time this
matter has been discussed, but 1 have
noticed that our Corporation Counsel,
Democrat or Republican, never raised
his hand to protect Jersey City's in
tercsts in this important matter.
1--WE are not recognized in anything
pertaining to the city any more; but !
propose that some attention shall be PAID
to us in this
Don't YOU know that the Street and
Water Board proposes spending 1000 III
obtaining expert testimony as to
plan would be best for the city to pur-
sue in. securing better water?' asked AL
der1nan Dusenbery.
II know" replied Mr.. Day, that if
the Street and Water Board would not
waste that money, but allow us to use
it in preserving Jersey City's rights in
the Passaic we would be better off. 1t
would result in saving the city from
losing it's rights in the Passaic River,
which are of inestimable value. There
are only q few interested people who
want a new supply contracted for.
Grasping corporations have tried to ruin
our city by crying down our water, ana
some of our officials. I realize the neces-
sity of pure water, but why spend mil
lions for it when we have a bountiful
supply at AnGQ Which viii SOot 10 oHAS
a few thousand dollars
DAM THE RIVER.
II favor sewering the river and car
rying all the CONTAINING ting substances
below Newark" said Alderman Dohrman.
1--WE could dam the river at a cost of
600, and in that way prevent any
from backing up to our intake.
Such a scheme was considered possible
in 1881, why not now?'
,"Newarlk went to court and tried to
prevent the pollution of the Passaic,'
said Alderman Martin.
"Yes, and the courts ruled that New
ark really had no business there" re-
piled Alderman Day. Jersey City has a
claim upon that river established by law
and if our city officials ave the interests
of our city at heart they will preserve
that right; prevent the further pollu-
of the river and give us a pure,
and bountiful supply of
So
Alderman McCoobery declared that it
would be an injustice to the city to
fasten a debt of s8.00O,e00 on 1T for the
purpose of acquiring a new supply
such a COURSE he said, but our de-
scendants will"
The resolution was finally adopted by
the unanimous vote of the board.
Alderman Day was by no means
through with the water subject, and he
Immediately introduced the following pre-
amble and resolutions, which were adopt
ed
MORE WATER RESOLVES.
ssWhereas, The experience of the pres
year has brought to light grave de-
fects in the water service of Jersey City, |
aside from the impufity of the Passaic
River. which defects are capable of /