New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-24

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Paterson the third city of NewJersey, stands
y7re-eminent as hive OF industry From its earli-
est settlement un the present day its fame as
manufacturing city has not been hampered, and
from far away France a name has been waited
over the waving pillows and now whenever spoken
Of Paterson is called The Lyons Of America
Paterson had as its founder man of letters
valiant soldier for his adopted countrys cause and
who. no doubt would have risen TO the highest
office in the land had not bullet from Aaron
Burr sped him TO death. That man was Alex
ander Hamilton. OF the greatest Federalists OF
his day. the friend and counsellor of Washington
and the father Of our financial system Hamilton
was born in the West Indies. and after his arrival
in Sew-York recognized that the young republic
had natural resources which, II taken advantage
Of would result in fame and fortune. His keen
eyes saw the possibilities that lay in the vast sup
civ of water power, and his first move was to or
ganize society Of prominent men upon whom he
could depend TO give their time and money to max
ing the almost barren wilderness useful for manu-
featuring purposes. This society was called The
Society for Establishing Useful Manufacturer
The legislature looked favorably on this new so
ciety and on November %. 1871. the company was
incorporated. Its capital stock put at 800 O0
and permitted 10 hold 100000 in real estate.
The building w Of the city of Paterson commences
from this day.
II is however related that the first white settler
within the boundary of the city was one Simeon
Van Wrinkle who is credited with coming here in
l1Ie. II Van Wrinkle prominently identified with
the building OF the city under The 5. L NJ his
tory does recount il.
Alexander Hamilton might have Justly claimed
tie honor Of naming the city after himself. But he
did not The charter given him TO incorporate the
society was signed by Governor William Paterson.
and after him was named the new settlement The
first step Of the society TO make use OF the
great volume Of water which fell from the Passaic
Falls. the miniature Niagara of America Channels
or raceways We're constructed and the water beds
which run through the northwestern portion Of the
city are monuments Of the great and laborious. as
well expensive, work accomplished in those early
days
The population is to-day approximately 10000
inhabitants and the city of eight and
one-half square miles
The Erie Railroad. the Delaware. Lackawanna
and Western Railroad and the New-York S1Isuue-
hanna and Western Railroad furnish splendid fac-
1tes for transportation; the fastest trains which
there are a great number. consume but twenty -fve
minutes in reaching New-York CITY and thousands
of commuters have taken advantage OF these ex-
son and New-York and other points are very low
and communication rates 10 New-York for passen-
gers amount 20 ABOUT - per month, allowing the
holders OF the tickets one ride each way for every
The electric railway system is of modern date.
The Main-st- line extends through Passaic TO the
city and Elizabeth: another line extends from
Sngac TO Hoboken. distance Of fifteen miles: the
entire electric system is under the control OF the
Jersey City, ioboken and Paterson Street Railway
Paterson has been remarkably free from con-
tagion. and the good health Of its people Is a
isolation hospital FOR the treatment Of contagious
diseases This hospital is situated the outskirts
81 the CITY and thus presents proper place for the
treatment Of contagion, protecting the community
from the spread Of any disease and. at the same
Ie anofdlig Inc patent the best possible care TO
The TAX rate is g 80 two-th.rd 70 three-quar-
ter valuation. and the assessed valuation in 1891
$500 Gs. The city mas expended S52 90 for
school buildings The city's obligations have al
ways been promptly met and our bonds are eagerly
sought IN he
Sinking Fund Commission organized for the pur-
pose Of taking Up maturing bonds issued for pera-
nent street work. has already acquired a large
balance and in this way the bonded Indebtedness OF
Peterson can well feel proud Of its banking insti
financial houses IN the United States: have three
national banks and six safe deposit and trust CON-
Paterson Is distinctly the SIX city Of America by
virtue OF the number of its mills and the Of
determined efforts at silk working were made.
ne hisiory 9i SIX WORKING IN Paterson is largely
centre OF activity forth many OF the men
who carried the growing Industry TO other cities
day IS. approximately. hundred with an invest
cd capital Of s25.ene'o- The number of operatives
employed is about twenty-eight thousand and the
annual wages paid nearly 81 ocoo.o
other very large industries-cotton. fax and iron.
The Of the iron industry dates from 1900 and
1872 Was established the Rogers Locomotive Works,
;e-day one OF the best known OF its kind in the
nave cset Of on {1ished Ioco,f C0paay'
naytgabe from the Dundee Dam the Broadway
Bridge. Prom below the dam TO NeW-York Harbor
the United States Government has expended large
sums OF money to make the river navigable A
of the river has been made by United States
engineers who have pronounced the work MAX
ing the river naVigable TO the heart of this city
feasible, and have recommended its being done as
soon as the suit now before the State de-
eide the rights Of the public to navigation through
the Dundee Canal. from Passaic Dundee Lake, is
finally determines.
The people OF Paterson embrace all classes. from
the sturdy mechanic the weli-to-do business
In the eastern section the city many hand
" ats and TaT4a-
Tnent houses are fitted up to the demands OF
the wage earners al cost ranging from SIS 10
so per month The cost of living is moderate and
Is due undou btedly the close proximity TO the
[eH-York markets. On market days-Tuesiay
Thursday and Saturday. large number of farm
ers drive TO the city and place sale great
variety Of foodstuffs and products OF the soil at a
price within the reach Of al.
The public school system of Paterson has been
pronounced by distinguished educators the
equal Of any ia the country We have twenty
school buildings. including normal and a high
school with q seating capacity of 1900. The pub
lie school system is under the jurisdiction of the
Commissioners OF Public Instruction. and is divided
as follows Primary. grammar, high, normal and
manual training Kindergarten Glasses are attached