The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-12-17

Jersey City property will continue g De-
preciate in value if a permanent supply Of
pure water is not provided"
F. G.. Wolbert, the auctioneer, made a
brief speech in favor of the contract.
He cited the fact that property valua-
tions have deprecated. He gave many
striking Instances in support of what he
said. He declared that new water will
enhance valuations. He said he had no.
ticed a better feeling since pure water
had been acquired by contract.
Daniel e. Cleary, large property own
er, made ar earnest appeal for the ac-
ceptance of the Flynn plant DR.. Nor
timer Lampson added to the request.
To the left of the enclosure, where the
Finance Commissioners sat, the kick
ers'' had congregated, including Lebbeus
B. Ward, Thomas McEwan, George Nc
EVAN, and Abraham Graham. Graham
made a speech. He ventilated his social
istic ideas in great shape. He made such
a fearful din that the audience was COM
PEELED to listen to him. Sympathy
prompted some cheering. Graham brayed
| for twenty minutes. In two minutes w.
D. Edwards punctured his argument to
such an extent that Graham subsidized in
Graham had followed Thomas McEwan' s
! line of argument and had based his as
sertions on McEwan's statements.
| Mr.. Edwards pointed out that Flynn had
| two bids before the city and that it was
only after several weeks of careful inves-
tigation that they had concluded to ac-
| cept Plan No. 1~Mr. Edwards pointed out
with much force the fact that the acquis-
ition of the Flynn plant will not add dol
lar to the expense of the city.
/ "The fact is,'' said Mr.. Edwards, 'sif we
never acquire the Flynn plant the mere
purchase of water from him at the prices
named in his contract will result in a
saving to this city of at least 100000 in
| five years.
There is a report in the hands of the
Finance Board which negatives that as
sertion,p interrupted Thomas McEwan,
'.and [ will Sc that it is published in the
newspapers
1t was at this juncture that George Nc
Evan cut loose. He shouted himself
hoarse. He said nothing. The drum of
every mans ear was threatened The
crowd jeered him and hissed him, even
such gentlemen as ID. e. Cleary, Joseph
A. Dear, w. H. Speer, Sr., and others
equally prominent joining in the outburst
against him. McEwan merely attempted
to appeal to the galleries and failed His
face looked like a boiled lobster when the
kissing ceased. To add to his mortifica-
! tion, Corporation Counsel ,McDermott
knocked him out completely, as previous
/ ly described.
The excitement reached a climax when
| Thomas McEwan said the meeting was
| a packed one. The Congressman was
howled down and so was Joe" Anderson.
Mr. Henry Lembeck was the most indig-
naflt man in the room.
NlcEwan apologized to Counsellor
Charles Kelly and then attempted tc
apologize to Mr. Lembeck.
I have not forgotten you" shouted Mr.
Lembeck. Il heard you call a man a
thief in the Tabernacle and I have had
that in my head. City officials are not
thieves. I want you and those like you
to understand that never pack any meet
ing ! am a property owner, and a big
one, and say we want water Our city S
future depends upon it and I hope tbs
city will acquire this plant at once. am
not a politician. l am property owner
/ interested in the Advertisement of the
city,
McEwan protested and tried to undo
| what he had done. He would not me lis
tened to- DR.. Ullamor Allen called Nc
| EVAN down. and then made strong plea
| for the acceptance of the Flynn plant
/ Counselor w H. Speer made the hnal
appeal. He said that the acquisition OF
the Flynn bid would be a big saving te
the city The McEwans were sad lot
All the kickers were sad. Mayor Hoos
sat with his secretary throughout the
evening and jotted down the expressions
of opinion of the property owners The
| Mayor refused to take1any part in the dis
cussion.
/ On motion of Mr.. Lembeck adjournment
was taken.