The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-12-09
ALDERMEN ON WATER
They Denounce the Award
to the East Jersey
Water Company.
CLERK O'DoNNELL WILL Be PAID
Mayors Veto Of the Railroad
yenders' Ordinance Sus-
tanned.
O'DONNELL WILL Be PAID

AT the meeting of the Board Of Alder
men last night Alderman Calnon created
a breeze by presenting for adoption the
following preamble and resoiutions:-
.sWhereas, The Board of Street and
Water Commissioners, by a vote of three
to two, has awarded a contract to supply
Jersey City with water, accepting a bid
which must necessarily enormously in
crease the city, debt, imposing a most
g~rievous burden upon our property own
ers, who must in turn shift the burden
upon those who are rent payers. and
Whereas, 1t is expected that remedial
steps will be proposed at the approaching
session of the Legislature prohibiting the
pollution Of the Passaic. River.
Resolved, That the best interests of
Jersey City demand that no contract for
a permanent supply of water should be
made until every effort has been ex-
hausted to obtain legislative relief; that
the price at which it is proposed to sell
the plant of the East Jersey Water Com
paqy to Jersey City includes a profit to
they company of upward of 50, G00, 600,
which could be saved by the construc-
tion Aof the water works by the NUM-
cipality itself; and that the making of
a contract under the bid accepted by
the Board of Street and Water Commits
sloners is not called for by any present
necessity.
"Resoived, That we denounce the ac-
ton of the three Republicans who con-
sfituted a majority of the Street and
Water Board and awarded this e~xtrava-
CANT and iniquitous contract, and COM
mend the position taken by their two
Democratic colleagues in opposing this
fragrant scheme; and
Resolved. That the Board of Finance
be respectfully requested to withhold its
concurrence in such award, and that the
Mayor be requested to veto the said reso-
luton, If 1t shall be concurred in by the
Board of Finance"
There was no occasion for the Street
and Water Board to award a water con-
tract at this time said Alderman Cal
non- may reasonably expect relief
from the Legislature when the Passaic
Pollution Commission reports. A water
contract should not be made until we
have exhausted every means in our power
to protect our present bountiful and valu-
able supply. This award in my estima-
tion practically gives away $1,000 600 of
the city's money unnecessarily to the
East Jersey Water Company. I would
like to know why there has been sotmuch
haste in makingNa contract of this kind.
IT seems to me that the water subject is
one which should be given careful con-
sideration study before action is
taken. Our taxes are higher now thar in
any city in the State, and if this contract
Il 1dStcutd Oh us l4Gy Will De QlGDer. Inc
people cannot stand an increased tax bur
den. The city surrehders it's right in the
Passaic when this contract is made, and /
predict that it will be only a short time
powerful hackers will protect the Passaic
from pollution and carry the water to
New York, sell 1t and obtain high prices"
1t Is presumption on the part of Alder
man Calnon," said Mr.. Scott, ito say that
the Legislature will give US relief. | have
voted for three or four balloon resolutions
in this Board concerning the water sub
ject and I do not propose voting for any
more. The people want pure water and
our city will not progress until we get it.
j have the utmost confidence in the Street
l21S zHarsr Rnar5 1 believe the gen
seme[ they were doing when
1T surprises me-" said Alderman YER
milye,S that any N should endeavor to
uphold our present supply, particularly
when It IS known that we have to pay an
dead dogs, cats and so on removed from
our intake. Our people have waited long
and patiently for some relief, and now
fnat relief is in sight some one mas to
peSln constructing the way to new and
pure water. If Alderman Calnon knows
50 much about what the Legislature is
going to do, why doesn't he go before
the Street and Water Board and show its
members and people in these United
States that Jersey City is about to be
imposed on? Any step that is taken to
improve ms CITY aiWayS meets with OPP
POSITION, no matter by whom or by what
party it is proposed. It is an old saying
but a true one, 1 believe, tina whichever
party touches the water question will be
politically damned. Our city has been
go-ng back long enough, and 1T IS about
Time something was lone to make it
forge ahead What has our Board 10 do
with the water question, 1 would like to
ask | have sufficient confidence in the
Street and Water Board to believe that its
members nave and will continue to do
the city"
What difference will a little delay
makee' asked Alderman Heayey. WHY
need we be in such a rush to get water
now when the Passaic River Pollution
Commission is about to report2 Is it not
pro6aDle that some recommendation will
pc made for the preservation of the pur-
ATTY of the water of the Passaic? Our
temporary supply is a good one. and I
think We can continue its use with per-
fect safety until we nave heard from the
commission appointed to examine our
water supply. / hope the making of this
contract is delayed for a time lat least;
resolutions"
The resolutions were adopted by.a strict
Party vote.