New-York tribune., 1901-02-21
RAMAPO REPEAL Qualified.
NEW SENATE BILL WILL RESERVE
WATER RIGHTS FOR THE COMPANY.

Albany. Feb. 20 (speciaD.-Governor oden had
chat with Controller Coler OF New-York this
afternoon IN the executive chamber II was ex-
pected that Mr.. Coler would open the subject Of
legislation regarding the Ramapo Water Com
pany. but the Governor afterward stated that
his conversation and that OF Mr.. Coler was
solely regarding bills affecting New-York's char
ter. and did not touch the Ramapo Water Com
pany measures
Governor OdeI is known TO favor curtailing the
great rights possessed by the Ramapo Water Com
pany since the Of 1885 passed in its favor.
and also 70 believe that the most important
measure now before the Legislature. TO New
York with authority 20 procure water supply sys-
TEN OF It's own is the condemnation act drawn up
by the Merchants Association This act. which
authorizes New-York To condemn land secure
water rights was introduced in the Assembly by
Mr.. Morgan. and recently passed that body.
THIS afternoon the Senate Committee Cities
decided 10 report this bill favorabiy the Senate
tomorrow morning. Still another measure OF i'm
portance which will free the city of New-Yorl
from the chains thrown around IL by the Ramapo
Water Company. Is the amendment the con-
stitttlon favored by both the Charter Revision
Commission ard the Merchants Association. au-
thorizing the authorities OF New-York 20 disregard
the debt limit set by the constitution in securing
money increase the water supply This amend
rrent has been approved by the Assembly. and IS
in the possession Of the Senate.
The Senate Judiciary Committee considered for
three hours to-day Senator Slater's bill, repeal
ing the law of 1898. which gives the Ramapo Water
Company such great powers. Mr.. Morgan intro
duced a similar bill the Assembly. Following the
example Of the Assembly Committee on Cities yes
terday the Senate judiciary Committee. at the
termination OF its session to-day. appointed a sub
committee. consisting Of Senator's Bracket. Davis.
F,lsberg. Slater and 2IcCarren. 10 draw up amend
ments 20 Senator Sater's repeal act.
REPEAL WILL BE MODIFIED.
The subcommittee met this evening and decided
report a bill to the Judiciary Committee at 10
O'Clock tomorrow morning. repeating the Ramapo
Water Company act Of 1895. but reserving 70 the
Ramapo Water Company all the PRIVILEGES
possessed by other water companies. under the
General Transportation act OF 1890 The Repuhli-
in the Assembly also will support this bill
Senator McCarren. the Democratic member of the
subcommittee. intimated tonight that he should
make a dissenting report. II favor he said, "the
repeal act in an unamended form" II Is believed
that the Democratic members of the Legislature.
IN both the Senate and the Assembly. will adopt
this attitude. that the Ramapo repeal act should
be amended. but be passed Just 1t is with
out any reservation OF rights to the Ramapo Water
Company
Edward Lauterbach. counsel Of the Ramapo
Water Company argued before the Assembly Com
mittee on Cities that the Ramapo company
quired rights 1857 OF which IL deprived
IN 1880. and which IL reaCquired In 1895; and he
argued that IL ought be permitted 10 retain the
rights of other water companies. The Senate
Judiciary Committee il is believed. will accept
the bill regarding the Ramapo Water Company,
which will be submitted IL by its sub-com-
mittee tomorrow morning. since the bill out
lined 10 IT'S members before IL adjourned. Some
members of the Legislature said tonight that
they had heard that the Ramapo repeal act would
be divided into two bills. one repeating the RamapO
act OF 1896 and the other granting TO the Ramapo
Water Company the rights of other water
panies
As Senator McCarren said tonight; "A large
percentage of the very remarkable privileges grant
ed the Ramapo Water Company In 1895 would dis
appear with the passage of the amending act. but
shall nevertheless support the bill which simply
re2eals the Ramapo act of 1905
BARNES DEFENDS RAMAPo.
William Barnes. jr. the chairman of the Execu-
tive Committee OF the Republican State Committee
prints the following editorial tonight In his news
paper THE Albany Evening Journal" under the
title Bad Faith Unnece ssary':
The people of the city Of New-York are naturally
careful of the purposes OF the Ramapo Water Com
pany, which undoubtedly obtained great privileges
which should not have been granted IL. but they
can hardly expect that the State OF Sew-fOrk VIII
be lacking in dignity and correct sense OF JUS
tce that IL Will repudtate contract into which
4 has entered by repeating the charter of the
That the city of New-York should own own
water supply is not open To question. but intemper
OF newspapers and caucuses of a party that
troll the Legislature in coming to a wise and
servative decision The State OF New-York can
the absurd virulence of press which seeks only
to express the passing passion of the people by
party which was Overwhelmingly defeated at the
last election because of It's advocacy of bad faith
party policy.
The Legislature should protect the people Of
Newly danger which threatens them