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


They report among other things that
they have, during the first year of their
labors, been able to exercise this power,
limited as il is in its operation, with ben
eft to the interests of all. They have
sought to insure a reasonable protection
to the public from i'll effects without max
ing their requirements so severe as to
discourage all plans of sewerage. The
commission suggests that its powers be
enlarged in certain directions. If it is to
accomplish all that is to be desired, its
functions ought to embrace more than the
mere power of negation. 1t should be
clothed with authority to require from
the localities which now have sewerage
systems such measures as will prevent
further injury to the streams of the state
and the owners of property on their
banks. 1t is true, as they say in this re-
port, remedies for such injuries may be
had from the courts, but these involve
large cost and follow rather than precede
the injury. They ask to be invested with
power to regulate existing sewerage so
far as to prevent nuisances which will
sooner or later involve communities in
costly litigation.
The necessity of prompt action in the
matter is so urgent and the demands for
relief (which under existing law is either
impossible or extremely slow of accom-
plishment) so pressing as to require from
you your immediate attention. The re-
port very fully and convincingly sets
forth the reasons for which the commits
sioners make this request
The pollution of the Passaic river has
also engaged their attention, and then
conclusions with respect thereto are sum
married. by them as follows:
THE pollution Of the Passaic river
should be stopped.
THE first step is to make it obligatory
for those poluting the river to make
some other disposal of their crude sew
age than putting it into the river.
"a reasonable time should be given for
building suitable disposal works.
No limit of time should be given be.
yond five years from the date of the APP
proval of the act.
Discretionary power should be given
the state sewerage commission to fix the
time when pollution shall cease within
the five years limit.
1.-THE method of sewage disposal is one
which belongs to the municipality or
drainage district, subject to the approval
of the state sewerage commission.
1.-THE sewerage commission should in
vestigate the different plans and the APP
proximate cost under either.
1.-THE commission should be provided
with funds TO pay the cost of making sur
yeys, estimates of costs and the conduct
ing of such experiments as will enable
them to make recommendations and give
advice that will be of value"
1t is needless to assure those of you
who have a personal knowledge of exist
ing conditions and surroundings that the
subject is one of paramount Importance,
and speedy and effective action is re-
quired.
Upon its proper solution depend not
only the present comfort and health of
the inhabitants of large and populous
district of the state. but the future
growth and prosperity of region des
tined within few years under wise laws
to furnish the home and field of labor for
millions of people.
The report of the officers of the state
prison affords satisfactory evidence of
the successful conduct of its affairs.
The number of prisoners on the 31st day
of October. 1899. was Lilo, instead of
1,22S at the end of the preceding year.
Industrial school For Girls.
This school has during the past year
gained an unpleasant and unfortunate
notoriety. Exaggerated and sensational
accounts. spread broadcast over the coun-
try. have created Il deeply erroneous i'm
preston as to the purposes of the school,
the methods of its management and the
results there attained. Officious inter
meddlers. seeking cheap notoriety and
Influenced by no honest purpose or pre-
tending to speak officially for some well
meaning but wholly irresponsible and
self constituted organizations. with a
prejudice born of ignorance and the as
sumption of an authority which the leg
islature has wisely withheld from them,
voluntarily and without any special de-
mand for their views or an investigation
of facts from reliable sources, have rush
ed into print with their i'll considered
criticisms and suggestions
The public, not informed of the true
character OF their utterances, which are
neither sacred nor infallible, has attached
to them an undue weight From this
mistaken zeal and unwarranted conduct
there has come incalculable harm to an
institution which is doing great good
and tn the state an undeserved dis
honor.
Some self appointed censors have new
er visited the school Others have not
been there for number of years, and 9th
ers still have barely an idea of its actual
location. OF the nature and character of
its inmates and of the work actually done
there they seem to have had no correct
idea Some of the regulations recon-
mended by them for adoption have been
in force for Il number of years, and in
quiry from the proper authority would
have disclosed the fact. Evils which eX-
cited their Indignation and against which
they bitterly complained had been re-
moved by the old board of trustees.
Some of the reforms demanded were al
ready instituted, and others were impoS-
sible. Naturally those in authority hest
tated to adopt many of the recommended
tions until the wisdom thereof had been
demonstrated by the test of actual ex
perience. Their reluctance has since
been justified by happenings in schools
where the methods advised were tried
under the personal supervision of those
fayoring their adoption. with unfortu-
nate results. it must be sadly confessed.
There has been no occasion to quell riots
among the inmates of this school with
the aid of policcmen's clubs and pistols,
and there nave been no riots.
Discipline Indispensable.
All right minded persons agree that in
y school of this character discipline is in
dispensable. Obedience to wise rules
must be enforced Vicious and uncon-
trollabe tempers, which will brook no
correction or interference, cannot be al
lowed to set up the standard of conduct.
Mistaken kindness and pampering indul-