The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-03-29
Good Government Clubs En-
dorse Lampson, Harvey,
Lewis, Van Houten
and Patterson.
THAT SOUTH COVE GRANT
Ex-Mayor Gilbert Collins Gives an
Account of Jersey City's His
toric Fight for Her
Fights.

Collins was expected to explain the
South Cove" grab, but he was unavoid-
ably kept away from the meeting. He
did the next best thing, however, and
sent this letter explaining the matter,
In which he said:-
In 1872 the Legislature established a
public trade water basin 500 feet wide,
extending westward from the east basin
of the Morris Canal Company. and by
the same act granted to the corporation
of Jersey City tract of land under wa
ter bounded by this tide water basin on
the south, Van Worst street on the east,
Grove street. If extended. on the west.
and by an irregular line on the north.
For the northward the distance to this
north line is about 600 feet but at the
east end of the tract the distance is less.
the line following the curve of the Morris
Canal. The act directed the municipality
to improve this tract of land by build
ing wharves and basins there: one-third
of the area was to be left open TO tide
water. The price of the grants was to
be fixed by the Riparian Commissioners.
and was fixed at $1,000. The municipality
failed to accept the grant until 1885. and
in the meantime the Riparian Commis-
SION on the hypothesis that the grant
had Altogether failed. conveyed all the
land owned by the state in South Cove to
the Central Railroad Company of New
Jersey. with the exception of tide wa
ter basin 2o9 feet wide. leaving its south
line the same as that of the one estab-
lished by the act of 1872. The Central
Company conveyed the land to the
American Dock and Improvement Com
pany. and a good deal of filing was done
in the Cove, much of which was within
the lines of the original tide water basin.
No filling has been done on the city's
tract except within the lines of Hender-
son street.
THE CITY. ACCEPTS THE GRANT.
1T was always considered by those
well Informed on the subject, that the
grant TO the city was an absolute one and
could not be affected by the subsequent
acton of the Riparian Commissioners
consequently. when. IN 1885, as Mayor,
I communicated with the proper boards
on the subject, they very willingly passed
resolutions to accept the grant and pay
the consideration, and this was done.
The American Dock and Improvement
Company refused to give possession and
an action Of ejectment was brought
which came to trial considerable time
afterwards In the meantime having
ceased to be Mayor, I was retained as
special counsel to prosecute this action,
which resulted in a recovery in favor of
the city.
This Judgment was affirmed by the
Supreme Court and Court of Errors and
Appeals, but was then taken to the
United States Supreme Court where it
now awaits argument. The ground of
invoking the Federal Courts Jurisdiction
is that the defendant has vested rights
under the United States Constitution
growing out of the action of the Rioari-
an Commission, but it is difficult for one
to see how this can be possible. On the
issuing out of the writ of error the de-
fendant was Obliged to give security for
the measne Of the profits of the land
pending the litigation.
The case will be reached in Wash
lngton IN about a year from now. Should
the city succeed 1t will then be in order
to take steps to improve the tract and
tons which have been placed in the
''GILBEaT collins. .
A resolution was adopted rendering
thanks TO Mr.. Collins for his kindness.
The next business was reports of com
m.ttees, DR.. Quimby reported that his
Water Board in reference to a filtration
scheme, They were told that they could
MOI De n6ard at that time.
ENDORSED THE DEMOCRATS.
The, committee which was appointed to
consider and report upon the candidates
named by both parties for the coming
election was called upon for a report.
AS only three of the ten members We're
present. the committee did not wish to
report
Dr. Quimby moved that the members
retire and prepare report and the mo-
tion was carried.
The committee retired and returned in
Oh ton linn Of hal fnv, 90 f7o+
for Street and Water Board they recon-
mended the Endorsement of the Demo-
cratic andidates:-Lewls, Larnpson, Har-
vey and Van Houten and the Republican
Patterson.
These are all good honest, reliable
and trustworthy men," the report sad,
of Jersey City and Hudson County We
therefore heartily recommend them for
the endorsement and support of Good
Mr.. Lewis was vouched for by mem
ber of the association and SO were Messrs
Lampson, Patterson, Harvey and Van
Houten.
DR.. Quinby expressed his pleasure at
the good sense of the Democratic party
an and e Of ea all the he aaaes sa
sary for good commissioners. He also
advised the members of the Election
these names on sss Was elected and for eT-
cry member to see that the rne- tert
were elected and that they voted for
were men oil gOOQ 5-ute4ittOh5.
A member asked If any of the candi-
dates were members of the present Stree
and Water Board. He was Informed
that they were not
NO. sad DIR. Quimby, "they are not
If they were should not vote for them. !
committee was appointed to watch
the improvements to be made on Virgin
la avenue. Mr.. Pedigan was elected
Chairman of the committee with power
to add to the committee as he thought
necessary. Mr.. Pedigan said he had
attended Republican Convention 4
the early evening and that a man named
William Vermilyea was chosen as the
ssandidate for Alderman of the district
III thought he was good man and
Sganted the association to use its influ-
ence in his election. No acton was taken
IN sneak;ng of the Democratic candi
dates. Dr.. Qilimby said he thought they
II believe they win fill the Offices very
we'll" he said. The custom Of lats
wears has been to work for your owr
Interest if you were an oftiee holder ane
10 work for the city's interest If you ha6
time afterward. ! don't think 1t will bt
81 with these men. For instance, Mr
Van Houten is a real estate dealer.
have known him personally TOT q nun @
If Your Baby y Cutting Teeth
Be sure and use the old and well tried rem
ety Mrs Winslow's Soothing Syrup 1or @ cnll
dren teething. It soothes the qhiids soften YER
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