The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1900-01-12

Balance in bank Nov. l,
1898 .................... 1924 %
Total ........... S22s, 1913 OF
DISBURSEMENTS
For free public schools. T.. 100000 90
Premium and interest
securities purchased. 2S,Os6 q
22s, 1855 p
Balance in bank Oct 81,
1899 .......... STAG 81
The school fund securities at the
close OF the year valued at. S3,62S,21l &c
Showing increase the pre-
vious year of ...................... Ss,2l7 5O
State Debt.
The last of the bonds of the state
amounting to ST. 200, issued for wal
purposes, fall due Jan. /, 1902. One OF
the bonds of the denomination of $1,000
payable in 1896, has not yet been pre-.
sented for cancellation, and there is due
about $1,000, for coupons outstanding
$4,000, represented by certificates is
sued to the commissioners of the agricul
turaI college. are also due, but for all in
debtedness there is an ample fund.
The wisdom of the law authorizing a
change in the policy of the state with ref
ercnce to some of it's oyster beds and the
appointment of commission to take
charge of the same has been fully demon
strated in its practical operation during
the first year since its enactment. All
the oyster grounds, lands and beds under
the tidal waters of the Delaware bay and
Maurice river cove, south of an estab-
lished line were placed under the eXclu-
sive regulation and control of the com,
mission. Its members were invested with
authority to lease the lands, license boats
and take all steps necessary for the pres
ervation and Improvement of the beds
and grounds and the protection of those
engaged in the cultivation and gathering
of oysters.
The commissioners are authorized by
the act under which they are appointed
to cause the lands which they lease to be
measured and mapped in such manner
that the same may be accurately fixed
and easily located. | would respectfully
urge that your honorable bodies comply
with their recommendation and authorize
an appropriation for the purpose, fully
believing as | do that the best interests
of the state will be served thereby.
Riparian Commission.
The commission, during large part OF
the year. suspended the making of grants
and other conveyanees while it had under
consideration change in the method OF
dealing with the state riparian lands. Its
receipts. therefore. have been less than
they would have been had the old policy
been pursued. They report having re,
ceived;
From grants in fee.................... $ll,sS4 Ii
From leases. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. l,726 On
From licenses. ...,.......-,..........., no On
From conversions. .,.......,........... 4l,Sl3 Of
From rentals from leases. ............ $4,000 81
Total OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. $lO274S ..
The state has realized in all from the
sale of its lands under waters about 81.
100000 and from rentals therefor about
81 100000 There yet remain undispos-
ed of many lands which, in comparison
with those already sold or leased, seem
to be far less valuable. They are located
on waters where there is no likelihood of
an early demand for them. Naturally the
demand has been for those situated near
the eenters of population and ON the high
ways of commerce. where the rapid de-
velopment of material interests and com
mercial enterprises make necessary the
occupation and improvement of lands of
this character.
And yet the value of those still unsold
is estimated by reliable authorities to be
worth Mt least 500. 900 900. The manner
in which they should be disposed of with
the greatest benefit to the state is a sub
ject worthy of thoughtful consideration.
The nature of the proposed change
which the board had in view and the
reasons for its temporary abandonment
are set forth in the resolutions adopted
by them ON the second day of November
last and are as follows:
"Whcreas. This board had had under
consideration change in it's policy
whereby the practice hitherto followed
of giving absolute grants and perpetual
leases convertible into grants should be
discontinued. and in place thereof plan
should be adopted of giving leases for
long or perpetual term. with no pro-
vision for conversion into grants, but
upon such an annual rental as should be
fixed from time to time by arbitration
between the state and the lessee; and
whereas, This board had been ad-
vised by the attorney general and by its
counsel that the board has no power UNI
der the law to adopt and carry out such
proposed plans;
BE Ii Resolved, That the further con-
sideration of the said proposed change
III the policy of the board be postponed
until the power of the board shall be en-
larged by act of the legislature and that
the board proceed with the applications
and business before it in accordance with
the practice hitherto followed"
Such n scheme has much to commend
it. In the light of experience had with