The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-12-27


port to Governor Werts, at Trenton.
In reporting the summary of their
work for the year 1895, just closed, the
Commissioners say that they have receiv-
ed. during the year, these sums
Grants in fees. . . .... $19,325 80
Conversions of leases into grants
IN lee .... o,6oo %
Licenses 49, . $50 90
Rentals on leases converted :. ;. 2.232 81
Rentals on new leases 1860 81
Total........ :. =. :. >. ....$16.S17 8S
Then the report goes on to say:-sThat
among the important operations of the
year was the strenuous and successful
efforts of the Commissioners to prevent
the proposed closing of the New Jersey
Channel of the Delaware River, between
Fishers Point and Petty's Island, as
contemplated by the United States en-
giners on their plans for the improve
ment of the harbor of Philadelphia.
"It will be observed that Mr.. Record.
the counsel for the Board, who was
sent to Washington. reports that General
Casey, Chief of Engineers u. S. A., prom
ised that the originaH purpose of the
Governments engineers to close the chan
mel would be abandoned. After detail
ing the action taken by the Commis-
sioners we call the attention of your
Excellency to the annual report of Major
c. w. Raymond, Corps of U. S. A., en-
gineer in charge of the Improvement of
Philadelphia's harbor.''
This report exclusively appeared in
"The News" few weeks ago. 1t reads:
'"The original project for the improve
ment has never been modified. The fur
ther extension of this dyke will probably
not be ordered until it has been recon-
mended by the district engineer: but it's
ultimate extension is a part of the ap-
proved project for the Improvement of
the Philadelphia harbor."
Commenting on this report of Major
Raymond the Commissioners say
The danger of closing the New Jersey
channel and the disastrous consequences
it would involve still increases. While
the absolute ownership of the State, in
the lands below high water mark is no
longer questioned. doubts are still enter
tanned on some questions as to the equit-
ableness of this ownership"
Referring to the question of the Pali-
with an application for a grant on the
Hudson River the Commissioners made
| a visit of inspection of the premises,
which they extended to nearly the entire
part of the river f1anked by the Pali-
Sades. There are three parties now
carrying on quarrying operations along
were granted under the restrictions of
the Act of 1895, designed to protect this
fine natural scenery from defacement.
THE Board has been advised by the
Attorney General that under the terms
of the Act of 1895, referred to, it is COM
PEELED to make grants or leases, when
Rod of lsava unynCr
the Palisades and can impose no restric-
tions on the DETACHMENT of that part Of
the upland running from the water 8
Palisades Such grants or leases, when
made for .quarrying purposes, involve
the destruction of the huge piles OF
fusion at the foot of the Palisades, and
of the trees and shrubs that in the sum-
mer PARTLY conceal their gray baroness
| broken rocks and foliage constitutes one
of the chief beauties of the scenery, and
the law of 1895 is therefore Inadequate
for the, purpose for winch II was
The draft of the law, exclusively pub
| ished in 1.-THE News few days age, age,
which the Palisade. Commissioners will will
present to the coming. Legislature, VIII
| cover all these objections
On the highly important question as to to
| the oyster beds of the State the report
states that "Unless some policy is adopt
ed, there can be little question as to the
| ultimate extinction of the natural oyster
beds of the State and the destruction OF OF
a great and valuable industry, UndeT
| a policy which we recommend like tila5
| adopted by New York, Connecticut ana
should enact law placing these beds
| under State control and providing for a
| system of tonnage tax and licenses our
| Of which to meet expenses Of policlng
| and protecting these lands from unIaW-
| full encroachment, the Industries in the
! States referred to have rapidly devegoped
| industry was properly protected, there IS
| NO doubt that the extensive oyster peas
| of the State might be disposed OF at
rates that would return a large revenue
! into the school fund and that the IN
| duetry would become one of the most
| Important in the State and give, re.
munerative employment 10 tnousahos oi
Finally the report deals with the sub
| iect of arrears of rentals due on rlpar-
ilp during the year. and the Board is
| determined to Collect these rentals or
| to forfeit the leases. There are ABOUT
'ft'c It CONCLUDES stlu by saving that Mr. R. g.
Bacot retired from the post of engineer
to the Board ON July last, 5 and n his
| Appended to the Commissioners, report
is that Of ex- Engineer Bacot.. who goes
dssgg sEsy uhannel ao she Of fldes the sDeawar g and
| poirpts out the strange conduct Of Uncle
| Sarn's of1icers in promising not to close
| the Cnannel, anu uuGI uclrDSlntC tCAy 5eob1
| ing that they would do So Mr.. Bacot
| submits copies of the correspondence
| on the subject. making his report some
| what bulky and voluminous.
| Referring to the Hudson River Bridge,
| Mr. Bacot says that the serious results
| to the navigation interests of the port
| of New York from the adoption of the
| plan proposed by the promoters. of the
| New York and New Jersey Bridge Com
| pany for bridge across the Hudson
| River wherein a stone abutment was
| DESIGNED to be placed in the deep waters
| of the river, were subsequently, happily
| avoided by the refusal of the Government
| authorities to adopt the plan involving
/ the erection of this structure in its pro
posed position The decision of the. Sec
| retarv of War WIS based on the belief
| that to preserve the general advantages
| and usefulness of the harbor the location
/ Of such westerly aIbutment SHOULD be
| on the exterior pier nne established by
/ the authorities of this State.
/ Mr. Bacet touches on the Palisades
| question. and appends copy of the
| laws in reference thereto.
IN MEMORY OF JUDGE M'GRATH.
| The members of the Hudson County
/ Bar Association will meet at the
/ Court House, ait eleven O'Clock tomor-
row row morning. to take action with re-
spect to the death of Judge McGrath.
/ The funeral will take place on Mon