New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-06
WILL VOTE TO PURCHASE.
SEY CITY TO DECIDE WATER
QUESTION.

The special election at which the citizens of Jer-
sey City will decide by ballot whether accept or
reject the proposal 10 purchase when completed
the SO, 100000 gallon water plant will be held on
Tuesday of next week ard the indications point TO
a decided majority in favor of the purchase OF the
plant. The only declaration OF opposition is that
OF the Fremont Club A dozen or more citizens
associations have adopted resolutions advocating
There would ordinarily be a splendid opportunity
cratic machine has not kept its pledge: and has inn
Po5Ed on the cry contraet 5nat WI eost seVsra
million dollars IN excess or the price al which II
agreed 10 have water supplied The Democratic
achine was defeated in 1882 and wanser was in
stalled as Mayor and continued until May 1897
The water question had then been pending for
scting 50 Tb Sv na a @ r p 20 1Sks
rent water supply But some Democrats who were
averse to having water contract made by Re
courts and il was set aside The demand for a bet
water supply was irresistible and the contract
the East Jersey Water Company.
LIMIT SET BY DAVIS MACHINE
When the spring campaign opened in 1897 Mayor
Wanser had just vetoed contract for a perma-
nent supply because OF legal obstacles that would
have insured the canceling of the contract by the
courts, and the DAVIS Democratic machine made
the water question the campaign issue. Davis
rssu Of the Davis nnacbps issI7ad :. rn1aJg5 ct
cular. setting forth that any contract made
that would cost over 81 100000 would be a JOB 10
fleece the citizens. and they promised TO proceed
at once to secure permanent supply.
Almost two years elapsed before thew took any ac-
ton. and the lowest bidder for 00o0. 900 gallon
supply plant was the Rockaway and Hudson Com
pany, whose price Sc. 00G 900. Mayor Hoos and
some OF the officials favored making the contract
but Patrick 7! Fynn had in higher bid that con-
machine endeavored TO create sentiment in favor Of
the Flynn bid.
The Mayor and the Finance Board favored the
lowest bid, but the majority Of the Street and
Water Board. controlled by the Davis machine re-
jected all the bids and readvertised. Flynn
tions two for a 100000 gallon plant. with the
gallon plant and two for $4,000 gallon plant
The lowest price about 50 600 higher than
the fixed by the Davis machines campaign
circular the spring OF 1897 and the 10000 900 gal
Ion plant was offered at 5000, 600 than the
lowest cost az fixed by the campaign circular The
Democratic machine fought hard to have the TO-
Co., 900 gallon plant accepted but Mayor Hoos was
the machine reluctantly ratified the agreement for
the 900 gallon plant.
PATIENCE OF VOTERS EXHAUSTED
The activity OF the Democratic machine 10 defeat
a water contract during the term OF Mayor wanser
and its broken pledge would AFFORD an oppor-
tunity for spirited campaign. but the people are
Disguised and their patience is exhausted over the
procI estimation and they are anxious 10 have the
water question settled and permanent supply pro-
cured.
For many years the water debt Of 8 900 900 has
not been reduced. and the interest amounts TO
lower rate OF interest will add about $500 In in
be provided for. and in addition to this
$500 900 to be paid Of the water the annual
budget viii be increased as provision will be made
for the retirement in annual instruments OF the
new water debt The entire issue of the bonds for
the purchase OF the plant is by the act presumed
chine does not want the purchase Of the plant de-
feated. and Collector Davis has arranged public
meeting to be held at the City Hall Thursday
night when the Street and Water Commissioners
will be present 10 answer questions.