New-York tribune., 1903-04-12
THE GEN OF THE ORANGES
MAJOR of East Orange Sets Forth
Its -4trdcHUeHeSs.
tn the Editor Of The Tribune.

tn the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir. East Orange. THE Gem of the Oranges"
gas set apart from the original town of Orange by
srt Of the legislature. approved March / 1853 Up
:. that time the town of Orange had included
what has so long been known as "All the Oranges"
Under the provisions Of The act and of q number
of complementary acts East Orange was admin
;stered under a township form of government until
she spring Of 1885, when, fly election held i'm
-,edately following the approval OF an act Of
xz-ch OF that year a township president
.erted having and appointive power and
nthe- rights and privileges enjoyed by mayors of
cities The act also provided for the appointment
RI a board Of excise sinking fund commission, etc,
ana from that time East Orange became practical
IL = city without change Of corporate name
The legislature Of 1899 adopted township act
which was so limited in its character, and which
en- clrailed the privileges enjoyed by East Orange
as township that il became necessary TO in
,o-,orate as a city. thus avoid retrogression.
which the township act would have forced upon
the municipality. An act providing for such in
corporatIon was prepared by committee of cit,-
zens was passed by the legislature, and approved
IN March q. 1893. The act was a general one.
and under its provisions il could not become oper-
atve until after its adoption by popular vote IN
5e- this referendum clause special election was
held on December :. 1893 The vote was practical
" unanimous in favor of the act. and with the
fling Of the result with the Secretary Of State on
the following day East Orange became a city
East Orange is located Immediately adjoining the
CITY Of Newark OF the west; its northern boundary
is the towns Of Bloomfield and Montclair and the
borough Of Glen Ridge; the city Of Orange Hes
along the western boundary. and on the south are
South Orange and Vailsburg. 1t lies along a
series OF ridges running north and south, and its
average elevation above udewater Is about TWO
hundred feet It is well drained by natural ana
artificial drains, emptying toward the north into
the Passaic River and TO the soulh lli1O 'e H4A1o
beth River
The natural attractions Of East Orange and ex-
cellent transportation facilities have produced a
growth both in extent and character. exceled by
No suburb Of New-York City. II was early recos-
uzed as Offering unusual attractions for homes for
Nev-York business men. and TO the large infusion
Of this class Of population must be credited
great share Of the progress in every direction Of
desirable municipal growth. The population,
which forty years ago numbered only $500 had
increased in 1880 80co in 1890 to 1882 and in 1900
10 q SOC while the present estimate is about 25 co.
The growth fl taxable valuations has been equal
IL rapid and the assessed valuation Of only $780,
600 twenty-five years ago has increased to nearly
so 90 0Eo while the rate has been uniformly
lower than that Of any similar municipality in the
State The bonded Indebtedness is less than per
cent OF the valuations
The city Of East Orange is divided into five
wards and the municipal government consists Of
q Mayor and City Council. composed Of ten mem
bers two being elected from each ward
Two railroad lines connect East Orange with
New-York City. The Lackawanna, which runs
through the centre Of the city maintains four sta
tons within its boundaries-Grove-st. East Orange
and Brick Church on the main line, and ATnPere
or the Montclair Branch. The train service is ex-
ceIent more than hundred trains being run daily
and half Of that number Sunday The Orange
Branch the Erie Railroad runs through the
northern section Of the city. with two stations
East Orange and Brighton-ave., giving frequent
train service in each direction. Communication rates
80 year and the running time is from thirtE-
five 10 forty minutes, including ferry Improve
uents. well advanced in elimination OF grade
crossings viii make possible a decided reduction
ample and excellent and commuters are not obliged
going 70 their bisiness or returning home.
East Orange enjoys every city Improvement with with
streets in New-Jersev OF the hfty-fve miles OF
pgec streets foTtysx % are iI1 Is seTePed
public water and gas are in every street teiephone
the surface Of the streets that there is no dis,
hgurement the streets by oVeTheao lgIeg @ 1re re
Telephone wires The streets OF East orange are
lighted with incandescent gas lamps, t4catea tci g
sleh frequent intervals that the Distribution OF
The city has finely organized and wei equipped
former being shown by the official report OF aSf 81
disorder or serious crime bears testimony 10 the eN-
celence Of the Police Department - .
IesI orange mas Tecentg s The water is the
same that has been supplied TO the city uI!oea cor
beter 1-f 3en the last report OF the State Board
most hesithful city in the State The sewerage
snd- drainage systems are entirely separate the
sewage being conducted through separate ihaiIs
10 the outlet and tidewater 49,. 90.
East Orange IS essentially a residence CITY. lLs
population being largely made up OF New-fork
snS SS,,-L- L,,si,,ees men The absence Of
fsctures adds 10 its attractiveness as a piace %
residence The business section is conflLeo 70 the
main street and the vicinity OF the railroad sca-
tons where are TO found excellent stores HfcI
prepared 10 supply the demands OF tAs iLoss
exacting hoTsekeeper The quality of goods ana
character OF service are unexcellea anI .ae hrhrs
as reasonable as can be found any Where. 1heIs
three strong banks in the city, lafnislllfIs
every facility TO customers incluoing saIe
deposit boxes and storage vaults mere al w.
newspspers both Republican in pohtlcs 1hers
more thar twenty churches, represehIis eteiy
religious denomination each with a me house %
worghip strong congregation and exceiieht pfesch-
ers The ,,1f7iic school system is recognized as
second to none in the United states me PnD
r7rorerfv reDresents valuation OF sie'Vt1-
The construction and ranitary arrane eiheIls a.
failv m 70 the most modern STANDARDS, sDu I1.s
faculties of the schools OF the hghsst Gg.L
arter ottainable and graduates from tne f1lsh
School are admitted on certilioa'e ~ ~ -
colleges ia the United Stats - IT,.
The social character OF the population oH H.ast
Orange IS far above the average, ana WINE ne
ctfv e essentially ore Of homes, IL is not lachlhs
sn rhe ATTRACTIONS OF social clubs Inc OIahSe
Club Is attractireiy housed IN It's IaIatiaI isoine "a
Other home comforts for its members Inc fsl1!hs
and rrfrfue Club has fine stables ana flolns fti.s
having q large mem bershp among ine Iloers aiso
srsveTs ~ the Oranges. The Repubhcan SiuD -
one of INC most widely known poIlucaI ana seCla.
-luts IN the State and has membership OF a"out
six hundred with very sttrac & bo,rnhes 81 sleo
eeatre OF the city Many OF tne Sliursnes
asafFue of the ATTRACTIONS