The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-07-29
"POR9SMOUIH'S BERTH.
Naval Reserves Ship to Be
Moored Off Hudson
Square Park.
SNYDER'S SILLY OBJECTIONS
Narrow Minded Hoboken Councils
man Thinks the Rigging Will
Obstruct Fresh Air.

A spirited discussion arose last night at
| the meeting of the Hoboken Common
Council over the a~dvisability of granting
| mooring privileges TO the Battalion Of the
East Naval Reserves training ship Ports
mouth. between Fourth and Fifth streets,
off Hudson Square Park. The question
was brought before the Council by a
communication received from the Re-
serves asking that the permission be
granted because the present dockage used
by the ship at the foot Of Fourteenth
street is inconvenient for the members.
When a motion was made to grant the
request, Councilman Snyder, who was
the only one who objected in the Board,
said:-'I don't approve putting the Ports
mouth in front of Hudson Square Park.
There are only two docks there now, n
it will soon be necessary to increase these
in length from 600 to 500 feet SO as to
make room for steamships. l don't see
why the Council should give anchorage
privileges to the State Reserves and thus
take away fresh air and deprive the chill
dren of their only bathing place"
Councilman Weber remarked that if the
privilege was granted the Board could re-
move the ship whenever it desired.
Il knew the Portsmouth when I was a
boy" said Snyder, angrily. "When she's
put there she will stay there. Let them
take her to Jersey City. We don't want
her to interfere with our bathing place"
Notwithstanding the fact that all the
other members of the Board were in
vor of allowing the permission asked for
by the Reserves, Mr.. Snyder insisted that
if the Fortsmoush were moored IN the
vicinity of Fourth street she would de-
prive the residents of fresh air. and a
number of other things. Councilman
Bewig said that the ship would be an or
Snyder.
Bewig replied that the Reserves were
privilege at Fifteenth street.
Snyder said:-"Let the State pay them,
and let the Naval Reserve yamoose."
leges,'' remarked Mr.. Bewig. IAN why
not the Naval Reserves? The public
bath cuts off more park view than the
ship would, The bow OF the ship would
That doesn't make any difference" in
terrupted Snyder. Just as sure as you
leave the Portsmouth there, boys will take
charge of the park and women will be
insulted. If boys are allowed to hang
around there I wouldn't allow my daugh-
ter to visit the park"
This remark of Snyder's aroused more
interest in the debate and Councilman
Weber replied:-'SThese Reserves are per-
rect gentlemen. l Know they VIII NOT
insult any woman. Drunken men are
now in the park every night and there are
no complaints
Councilman Steil was also ready to
youch for the character of the Reserves.
He said:-1They are composed of the best
element of men in the city and are a
credit to us. Mr.. Snyder is doing them
an injustice when he says he wouldn't
allow his daughter to go to the park if
we granted the proposed privilege. If
Mr.. Snyder ever saw the working of the
Naval Reserve he would become satisfied
that it is an honor to our city to have It
here
I'll show you what an ornament they'd
be-" interjected Snyder. 1T would be q
case like the old North Carolina in 81
if you anchor the Portsmouth there and
you'll have an elephant or your Shout
derS."
Councilman Weber went on to explain
that the clubhouse of the Atlantic Boat
Club was on the water front near the
park and it does not cut off any more
view or fresh air. than the Portsmouth
Councilman Capeli then said:-'It
won't do any wrong to give the boys the
privilege. You ave it to the boat club
and why not give it to the boys?"
Snyder, however, was still o~bdurate. He
over for further discussion, but when a
vote was taken the permission was
| granted to the Reserves unanimously.
When it came Snyder's turn to vote he
| found that he was the only member who
| objected. After hesitating a minute he
| answered.: 81 vote aye. but you'll find
out you are in the wrong before long"