The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-01-29

uObnlilR IN WHICH CITY lutSfcSbo were uVV1uHy
considered and protected, and where ade-
quate compensation to the city, either of a
monetary nature or its equivalent, was not
first provided for.
BERGEN WATER MAIN.
''For a number of years past the owners
and residents of that section of territory ly-
ing contiguous to Bergen avenue, from Vir-
ginia to Bidwell avenues, have complained,
n justly so, of the insufficient supply OF
water, which supply was at best inadequate
for their requirements, and on many occa-
families this could not but
be a source of annoyance,
whilst owners, powerless to secure relief,
were compelled to remain ~tenantless. The
greatest sufferers, however, were those, the
nature of whose business necessitated a large
and constant supply. Their losses must, at
times, have been severe. A further failure
to provide properly for the wants of these con-
sumers, must result not only in a considera-
bic exodus from the territory mentioned.
but perhaps in business ruin to those SO cir
cumstanced that remova is impossible. The
obligation of the city to these consumers is
without question. Water rents are and have
been levied and collected, and adequate pro-
vision should be made for their require
ments. With this end in view, we have had
prepared spec ifications for the laying of a
water main from our High Service station
to and through Bergen avenue, and have
declared our intention to advertise Tor pro
posals for such work, and as soon as the
Board of Finance nave notified us of their
concurrence therein, we will promptly bring
the matter to completion.
PUMPING AND RESERVOIRS.
''The plant in Belleville has not been al
lowed to deteriorate. During the past sea-
son the old boilers were replaced by six tubu-
boilers of modern construction, and aside
from the fact that such substitution will re-
suit in a more uniform and an increased
duty, we anticipate therefrom a greater
economy in fuel and labor.
"Seme months ago we were startled by
the intelligence that one of our main pipes
crossing the Hackensack River had, during
the night, parted and sunk to the riverbed.
The loss of water resultant therefrom, was
enormous, and our storage supply was al
most exhausted before the accident had been
discovered and proper precautions taken.
proceeded to repair Immediately and the
work was continued night and day to a sue
cessful completion. We congratulate our
citizens that at no time during this period
was there a complete cessation of supply.
The force of water was naturally largely re-
duced, but a famine, with its attendant losses
and annoyances, wa prevented.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
SCHOOL NO. ID, Ill 0plulJDld dfGuu6, udS
been at last completed, and is now devoted
to the uses and purposes for which it was
erected.
"We have fulfilled the promise made in our
last report by commencing operation on a
new school house in the Woodlawn section.
Ground was purchased in Van Cleef street,
between Dwight and Stegman streets, and
plans were prepared looking to the erection
of a structure which, for public
eaI,ooI ,,,f,,ococ will vo baliava auI1aI if
not surpass anything in the State. 1t is
perhaps not SO Il as some already built,
but great care and attention was given to its
arrangement and to its adaptabillty
for practical school work. 1t will occupy
the entire side of a block thus ensuring light
and air to every room, while the system or
heating and ventilation is based on one of
the most modern and scientific principles.
Contracts for the building ave already been
awarded and the work is being rapidly pro-
ceeded with. We trust that it will be ready
for occupancy at the close of the approach
ing summer vacation.
ut is a curious question ,~whethersthe cree
ton of Grammar schools should be indefi-
nitely continued, or whether it would not be
better to alternate IN their erection by plac-
ing here and there a building devoted wholly
to primary uses. A large percentage of
those who are at present denied educational
facilities by reason of the congested state of
our schools belong to the primary class, and
when it is considered that the children of the
poor are in many instances taken from school
as soon as they are able to earn a livelihood,
we feel that every opportunity should be
afforded them to obtain at least the rudi-
mentS of an education.
THE WATER QUESTION.
1.-THE question of new water supply is as
yet no nearer a settlement than at the date
of a,,r last rsapn1rf For fhiS ann6itinn fhc
local cynic must assume responsibility. Our
shoulders have been very broad, but there is
at least q limit to human endurance, and we
appeal to the fair reasoning III unbiased
public, if, after having considered and
solved many matters of grave public import,
receiving therefor naught but condemna-
tion, it is not now time for us to call a halt
We do not expect to be the recipients Of
congratulatory messages for duty per-
formed, but when matters lave reached
the pass-where they lave in this city
when the accusation of the cynic becomes
the logic of those who assume to, and ap-
parently do, control public thought, we
would indeed be most foolish to do that
which could but incur fresh displeasure. We
do not lack the courage to perform that
which we consider to be our duty, but we
positively refuse to administer the cure to q
stricken patient when to do SO would result
not only in the fatal incubation
of ourselves. but in our re
c~eiving also the lasting scorn and condem
nation of the saved. Stories of the worlds
heroes make very pretty reading, but those
individuals were at least lauded after death
and probably had they considered thai
ignominy would have followed sacrifice Of
life, they would not have 'heroed" to al
alarming extent. When conditions re
assume a healthy tone, we will not be foune
wanting"
During the year the Commissioners dis
bursed 1881, 314. "a, of which S9S, 395. 70 was
for municipal lighting. The receipts for the
year were 81, 1850, $50. IA.
The report was received and filed.
OTHER BUSINESS TRANSACTED.
The Treasurer of the town of Harrison
notified the board that there is such a scar
Committee on Finance had adopted the pay
ment of bills with temporary loan bonds
The town owes Jersey City $4,S13.37 fol
water furnished up to August 10, 1892.
In payment of the claim, a bond issued fol
six months, bearing 5 per cent. interest, was
rendered. The Commissioners referred the
matter to the Committee on Assessments and
Extensions. When the Town of Harrison
had its water mains laid, Jersey City agreed
to pay Fox and Drummond, the contractors
for the work, as fast as Harrison paid it.
water rents and interest. This bond issued
by the town will as a result be turned
over to John Fox, the successor
of Fox and Drummond. The final assess
ment maps of the construction of a sewer il
Charles street and the improvement of Bruins
wick street were confirmed. A final hearing
in the Improvement of Zabriskie street, was
fixed for February 26. John Duff, a fore
man at High Service, was discharged an6
Joseph H. Kuerringer appointed to succeed
him at a, salary of S65 per month
William Higgins was appointed 8
laborer on paved streets at a salary of 5:
NOR dau Tho RpassesSor,S navrnIl for lam