Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1900-01-11

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 win
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 o. extremely slow Of accom-
plishmentl SO pressing as to require from
you your immediate attention The re
port very fully and conyincingly sets
forth the reasons for which the commits
sioners make this request.
The pollution of the Passaic river has
also engaged their attention, and their
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 polluting the river to mai e
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 ap-
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.
THE method of sewage disposal is one
which belongs to the municipality or
drainage district, subject to the approval
of the state sewerage commission.
THE sewerage commission should in
vestigate the different plans and the APP
prOximate cost under either.
"The commission should be provided
with funds TO pay the cost of making sur
veys estimates of costs and the conduct
ing of such experiments as viii enable
them to make recommendations and give
advice that will be of value.''
1t is needless to assure those of you
who have 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 a large and populous
district of the state, but the future
growth and prosperity of a region des-
tined within a 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
1,228 at the end of the preceding year.
Industrial school For Girls.
This school hos d.,,.ixo fI,o
gained an unpleasant and unfortunate
notoriety Exaggerated and sensational
accounts, spread broadcast over the coun-
try, have created a deeply erroneous i'm
preston as to the purposes of the school,
the methods Of its management and the
results there attained Oficious inter
meddlers, seeking a 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 soure Is, have rush
cd into print with their III considered
The public, not informed of the true
character of their utteranees, which are
neither sacred nor infallible, has attached
to them an undue weight From this
mistaken zeal and unwarranted conduct
there has come inealculable harm to an
institution which is doing great good
and to the state an undeseryed dis
honor.
er visited the school. Others have not
been there for a 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 a 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 hesi-
tated to adopt many Of -he recommended
tions until the wisdom thereof had been
demonstrated by the test of actual ex
perienee. Their reluctance has since
been justified by happenings in schools
where the methods advised were tried
under the personal supervision of those
favoring 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 polieemen's clubs and pistols,
and there have been no riots
Discipline Indispensable.
All right minded persons agree that in
school of this character discipline is in
dispensable. Obedience to wise rules
must be enforced. Vicious and uncon-
troIlable tempers, which viii brook no
correction or interference, cannot be al
lowed to set up the standard of conduct.
Mistaken kindness and pampering indul-
gence cannot fail to work grievous wrong
to the inmate. Love and obedience rath-
er than hate and willfuI disobedience
must be the prevailing rule.
The records of the school afford the
strongest proof that a wise care and
faithful attention have marked the con-
duet of the officers and board of trustees
and managers. 1t is to be regretted that
the members Of the old board felt obliged
to resign rather than submit to the un-
fair imputations and unjust criticism
which characterized the attack made on
their official conduct. They are men of
eminent responsibility and high standing
in the community and had served the
state for many years with faithfulness
and zeal. Their sole aim was the ad
vaneement of the interests of the insti-
tuition, which had become to them an
object of love and pride. If attacks of
the character under consideration from
persons or associations irresponsible for
what they say or do are to go unrc-
buked, it will soon be impossible to Sc
cure the services of citizens competent TO
act as trustees or managers of our insti
tutions
At no time has the claim been made
that the school has reached the full
measure of perfection, but under the
management of the trustees, aided by
the intelligent and suggestive help Of the
board of women visitors and of the off
GERS, decided and, under the circum-
stances, astonishing reforms and adj
vances have been made. Their nature
and extent are fully discussed in the re-
port of the principal, careful reading of
which viii do much to remove existing
prejudices and give a correct view of
the purpose and scope of this very inn
portant school.
The new board of trustees have devoted
much time and labor to the study of its