New-York tribune., 1901-01-03
BILL TO KILL RAMAPO ACT
SENATOR SLATER INTRODUCES MEAS
URE-AMBLER WOULD SELL
ERIE CANAL
lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.


Albany. Jan 2.-The bill OF most interest
tc the people Of New-York City introduced
to-day came from Senator Slater II repeaIs
chapter 9S5 of the Laws of 1895 IAN Act to limit
and define the powers of the Ramapo Water
company" This is the charter Of the Rarnapo
water Company. which gives IL power of con-
oemning land for water rights that are not DOS
sessed by the city OF New York Speaker Nixon
introduced that act in the Legislature of 1895
To-day in his speech TO the Assembly he said:
The subject of an adequate water supply for
the great city Of New York is one of the i'm
portant matters that have occupied public at
tention Tor over year past, and ii should be
permanently settled this session that the city
Snall own Its own supply. and if any corporation
city or village in the State from owning its
source OF water supply the charter Of that cor
poration should be repealed and the people pro-
tected IN their right to municipal ownership.
Senator Slater also introduced bill intended
to give the authorities of New-York the legal
right to condemn land 10 acquire water rights
This bill says the city of New-York may acquire
lands by condemnation proceedings which en-
brace water rights except those which are in
actual use for the supply of the water works Of
the people of any other city, town or village of
the State or for the supply and distribution of
water to the people thereof or which, in the
opinion Of the court on such proceedings may
reasonably become necessary for such supply
The city Of New-York is authorized to acquire
by purchase. lease otherwise lands or water
in any other State, or rights interests or privi-
ieges in. TO or over any lands water in any
other State, for the purpose of supplying water
TO the city of New-York.
THE GOVERNOR ON RAMAPo.
It is supposed that the latter clauses of sena-
tor Slater's bill are intended TO authorize the
leasing or purchase Of water rights in Connect
cut and the diversion of water from the valley
Of the Housatonic River to New-Yorl
Governor Odelrs statement in his message re
garding the New-York water situation was also
read with much interest by the members of the
Legislature He frankly SAYS in his message
that New-York should control its own water
supply saying:
The ownership Of water rights SUFFICIENT to
provide the city Of New-York with an ample
supply Of pure and wholesome water should be
entirely urder the control and direction of that
municipality. By what now seems 70 have beer
an unfortunate omission in the original charter
OF the city of New York the city is not given
the same rights that are afforded other munc-
ipallties for securing an additional water supply
II should therefore be your first aim 70 correct
and repeal such provisions Of the law as inter-
fere with the free and full exercise Of such pow-
ers by the city Of New-York, and then 10 place
il upon an equality with the other cities of the
State.
BILL TO PERMIT SALE OF CANALS
Another measure OF great interest 70 residents
II New-York was presented by Senator Amber
in the shape Of amendment to the Consttu-
ton authorizing the sale OF the Erie Canal.
Senator Amber introduced an amendment 20
the Constitution striking out from the Constitu-
tion Section Of Article Z. This reads: The
Legislature shall not sell, lease or otherwise
dispose of the Erie Canal. the oswego Canal
the Champlain Canal. the Cayuga and Seneca
Canal or the Black River Canal. but they shaS
remain the property of the State forever"
This amendment comes from people who do
not believe the State of New-York should ex-
pend any more money for canal Improvements
but that the people should be left free IL they
choose, to sell the Erie Canal to the United
States Government.
Senator Ahearn, Of New-York, introduced a
bill authorizing the city of New-York to expend
s12.00O,000 in the Improvement of its water
front.