The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-02-09
TO BUY WATER.
Resolution FaV0ring Purchase
Of the Plant Adopted
Last Night.
BIG CITIZENS MEETING
Allan L. McDermott Ably
Answered All Doubts Of
LeDDeuS B. Wau anu
Frank O. Cole.
CLERK B0U7ON'S STATEMENT
Facts Regarding the Saving
to the City Clearly
Stated.
LEADER DAVIS THANKED
His Public Spirit in Calling the
Conference Commended
McEwan squelched.

The meeting of the taxpayers and citi-
zens held last evening in the Assembly
Chamber of the City Hall to discuss the
proposition to buy the new 50,0OO,0OO gal
lon water plant was quite largely attend
ed. despite the disagreeable weather.
Much interest was manifested. 1t was
plain from the start that the vast MAJOR
ity of those present favored the purchase
on completion. This resolution was
almost unanimously adopted:-
That it is the sense of this meeting
that the best interests of the city Will
be conserved by the purchase OF the
new water work on completion and
after a satisfactory test has been
made-S
The vote was vive voce and the nays
were weak and scarcely audible. The
main body of those who attended mani
tested disposition to hear the PROPOSE
tion discussed in all its phases. Con-
spicuous among the opponents We're
Frank o. Cole, Lebbeus B. Ward and ex-
Congressman MeEwan. This trio sat near
each other and with Architect Blau and
a few others monopolized a good portion
of the evening.
Mr. Cole apparently took the lead of the
claimed he was present to learn more of
the details of the proposition, but it was
evident as the debate progressed that he
did not view it with favor.
The meeting was called to order by
Robert Davis. Ex-Judge Robert Hud-
speth presided, and ex-Assemblyman
James P. Hall was made secretary. Car
wood Ferris the Street and Water Com
missioners, Clerk George Bouton, OF the
Street and Water Board, and Corporation
MCIlRrmnff
answer any questions asked concerning
the contract. Mr.. Bouton had prepared
point of interest, and which practically
answered all the important questions
raised. Mayor HooS sat near Mr. NC
Dermott
said:-.I am profoundly sensible of the
honor that has been conferred upon me IN
being called upon to preside over this
meeting. This meeting marks an espocn
in the history of Jersey City. While We
cannot determine what action shall be
taken next Tuesday. | can anticipate the
influence of it's action. l understand that
1t will result in the veal or woe of
Jersey City for many years to come.
1T is within our knowledge that the
water question has been a vital and
City has had many obstacles to overcome
to put itself in the position she Is entitled
to among her sister cities She has been
loaded with debt and over her hung dark
uus
not see the cloud at last tinged with ray
of light and feel that the incubus is be-
ing lifted from our shoulders.
The ex-Judge went back into history
and alluded to the city's first water sup
ply in 1888, when the supply was furnish
ed by pumps, and superintendents of the
town pumps served without pay. He re-
viewed the various efforts OF the city to
obtain a good and wholesome supply
of water to the present.
He dwelt particularly upon the time
when people commenced to flee from the
city as from a pestilence. This was the
old Passaic supply. 1t was through no
lack of diligence or alertness, he main
tained on the part of officials who were
speaker referred to the principal points
in the Flynn contract, setting forth the
advantages of an early purchase. He DIS
cussed the propositions from an economl-
cal standpoint.
ssThe water question: he declared, ais
burning question and cannot be SIDE
tracked. 1t is one as to whether we Snail
be forever tied to private corporations or
ting into the hands of private corpora
fion the Fire, Police or any of the other
departments Of the city. 1t is question
of finance"
The speaker declared that never, In the
history of the city, has it had better OIL
GERS in every department than It has TO-
day Whether Democratic r. Eepup,acasiMa pal oresia
and it can be said of them, Wen oone'
good and faithful servant.
ssThe city is progressing" he said. Our
streets have been improved. They are
we'll lighted and are matter OF PRIDE
and qualification. Our schools are or the
best. I'VE have our great Boulevard! The
community has been elevated We are In
the yar-not leading, but keeping pace
with our sister cities. Put nothing IN
the path of it's progress.
Frank o. Cole was first to rise. That
matters could be intelligently proceeded
with, he said, it might be well to nave
wanted to know % If Tuesdays verdict
at the polls would be absolutely final; ~
If the vote was recorded in the affirma-
to reject the contract, and (3) what will
be the cost of maintenance when the
city has taken the plant off the hands
nf the contractor.A