The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-05-01

FACAN'S MESSAGE
Hoboken's Mayor Tells the
Common Council What
To Do.
ADVOCATES MEADOW PARKS
Tells His Opinions On Light
Franchise, Viaduct, Drain
age and Departments

Inc common C0uncll OIL HOD0ken reof-
ganized at one o'clock this afternoon. The
old Council met at twelve o'clock and
adjourned sine die, after disposing of the
routine matter which came before the
Board.
All of the new members of the Board
were present when City Clerk McDermott
called the session to order. Their desks
were Uttered with floral offerings.
The annual message of Mayor Pagan,
the context of which follows, was the
new city fathers:-
1 have the honor of presenting to your
honorable body the annual message WHICH
is required by law. Through this medium
it is my duty to submit certain sugges-
tions and recommendations which, if fol-
lowed. shall, 1 trust, promote the welfare
of the community.
A stage has been reached in the affairs
of the city which renders a sound con-
servatism in its administration a neces-
ity, wise economy is always to be com
mended, but its Importance becomes
doubly manifest under the conditions
which prevail here at the present time.
While as compared with other cities of
like size, situation and consequence, our
citizens have reason for congratulations,
yet we have nearing that point in our
finances beyond which we cannot go with
out endangeriag our credit and the pros
perity of our taxpayers, in other words,
the limit of bonded Indebtedness has al
most been reached. Further issues of
bonds should be restricted to improve
ments. the necessity for which is pressing
and which promise to yield a return to
the city in the shape of increased valua-
tons.
There may, of course. arise unforeseen
emergencies when such a policy as ] have
outlined must be departed from, but l
know of none such and l hope that none
will present itself during the year.
There is no question as TO the urgent
need of relieving the city of the nuisance
caused by the overflow of the meadows,
and I know of no way in which money
might be more wisely and proftably ex-
pended. 1t is an improvement, however,
which should not be hastily undertaken
or without recourse to expert scientific
advice. 1 would therefore suggest that
you should take steps to secure the ad-
vice of experts upon the subject SO that
you may properly and definitely deter
mine the cost and the probable results of
introducing a system whereby the med-
dows may be thoroughly drained.
Another improvement which may be
prosecuted with profit to the city and
which may therefore warrant the issue
of bonds, is the viaduct that it is con-
templated shall be built to Jersey City
~fIeights. I frankly admit that the sug-
gested terminus of the structure on
Eighth street, this city, does not meet
--s+L T., 49, -;n;a, oxa.
street would be the proper place to locate
it. believe it advisable to make the
structure st. shaped, with a promenade
and with terminals at two or more differ
ent points on the Heights, to be deter
mined by the authorities of Jersey City.
A park in the meadow district might be
established at the same time that the
drainage of that section of the city is
undertaken. 1t is the policy purchased
by municipalities that in localities likely
to become densely populated there shall
be established breathing places or-salall
parks for the people who-live in crowd
ed tenement he:sses. These parks add
greatlSo the comfort and pleasure of
the residents of such localities. A park
in the meadows will unquestionabiy in
crease the taxable value of the surround
ing property besides aiding in abatiilg the
meade nuisance.
The application of the North River Heat,
Light and Power Company for the priv
lege of erecting poles and stringing wires
upon our streets, has my decided disap-
prevail. 1t is not a question of COMPETE
ton with the North Hudson Heat, Light
and Power Company that is alone to De
considered. That is of very little moment
compared with the necessity for guarding
the interests of the city so that 1t shaIl
not at some future time be beyond the
power of the people to establish u munich
pal electric light plant. If our streets are
yiven by perpetual franchises to two cor
porations. each occupying different sides
of streets. ii will be next to impossible FOR
the city to efficiently operate such a plant
without unlawfully invading the rights Of
these CORPORATIONS. Even granting that
the new company if fully established
should for a time cause a REDUCTION IN
tbe present prices of electric lights, what
effective legal guarantee can be given that
such competition will be long maintained.
There are numerous ways by which
competing companies may be easily over
come superficial obstacles to consollda-
ton. And the company in possession
could in no better way obtain exclusive
and perpetual control of our streets thar
bv the purchase of the rights and privi-
leges of a competing concern. The North
Hudson Compan should regard the adj
vent of another electric light corporation
with eQuanimity.
However, the day has passed when per-
petual franchises should be granted by
municipalities, or any valuable public
privileges given to a corporation without
ADEQUATE compensation whatever justin
cation there may have been in the past
for giving away public franchises to cor
porations there is none now. The people
of the country are awakened to the grave
mistakes they have made in this respect
and are everywhere e~ndeavoring to undo
the mischief. Heavy, burdensome taxa
ton, together with a lack of needed inn
provements while corporations having
public franchises are en5oyin& profits
more or less beyond all reason, according
to the imitation Of their original capital,
have caused the people to realize how
sadly they have frittered away the means
by which improvements might be secured
GRAND BRINGS RELIEF