New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-09
CITY MUST GO ELSEWHERE
NO DUCHESS SUPPLY.
Charge That Defeat of Water Bill
Vas in RamapO Interest.
rPv rrrreRArH 70 THE TRIBUNE.

MI u
Albany. March S-J-nder the leadership Of As
sembIyrnan Louis Bedell. who for the time dis
placed Jean I. Burnett as the acting majority
leader on the floor. the J. T. Smith water bill.
which excludes New-York City from taking
water from the Wappinger Falls Creek and
Fishkiu Creek. two streams recommended by the
Burr Commission for immediate use in extending
the Croton water system, was to-day passed IN
the Assembly by a vote OF 50 10 4S. The &C
ti,-ity Of Assemblyman Beden provoked the
charge by Assemblyman Ellis that he was act
ing on behalf Of Ramapo interests. and that the
forces behind the bill were far greater than had
been explained. Mr.. BedeII Indignantly denied
the charge. and explained that he had once HVed
i'm Duchess County and knew all about the
water courses there. and for that reason sup
ported the bill. The charge Of Ran apo was IRE
quently made, and the fight against the measure
was led by the Republican delegation from Man
haitian all Of whom voted against the measure
Under the terms Of the bill passed New
York City will be unable to extend its water
supply into the valleys of the streams most con-
yeniert 10 the Croton Valley and recommended
as additional sources Of supply that must he
taken Immediately by the expert commission.
and will be forced draw its supply either
from the Ramapo source or from the Hudson
River above Poughkeepsie. No charge was
made in the debate that the author Of the bill,
J. T. Smith had any intention Of attempting
anything but the preservation Of the few small
towns whose industry would be affected by the
taking Of the water, but the charge was made
by nearly all those who opposed the measure
that in its efec: the measure would, by exclud-
ing other sources, throw the city back upon
Ramapo.
In urging the passage Of his bill. Mr.. Smith
made n direct plea in behalf Of the Duchess
County communities that would suffer from tn.
taking Of their streams. Assemblyman New
comb. of the XXIIId Assembly District opened
the opposition. ana declared that. while many
would synpathlze with the Duchess County
people. theirs was a property right. while that
Of the city Of New-York was one OF health. or
life and comfort He said in part:
When 1 came to look over the report OF the
commission appointed to examine into future
sources Of water supply. l was appalled, TO hnd
I'm what condition the city OF New-Nork would
De after a year or two OF drouth- Ihat Goes
not mean a loss Of property; that means loss
OF life. Some time ago this legislature passed
the Burr law, excluding Brooklyn from certain
Suffolk County sources, and as result thou-
sands Of lives were lost through epidemiCs that
grew out OF an insufficient water supply Vow
this bill Will prohibit the city from taxing
water from the very streams an expert couInls--
sion. working for "a year. examining l"'V'
SQUARE miles Of territory and employing -uO men,
had decided must be taken 10 provide tenn
p0rary relief You have on the one SIDE the
question OF property. but on the other the ques-
tio7 81 The life OF the existence ~ the health
Of the great city OF New-Nork. which appeals 10
you.
Assemblymen Finch. Bostwick. Adams and
Prentice all spoke against the measure. and.
with ASsemblynan Perham. voted against it,
Asseublyman Wainwright. Of Westchester. WAS
the only Republican having a New-Yor5 City
constituency who voted for the bin. and he eX-
planned his vote by citing the fact that west
chester County had been deprived Of all its
streams by the greater city The opposition TO
the bill in q large measure seemed to D..
the expression OF a hostile spirit 20 the city or
Neyv-York on the part OF the upstate members.
a large number Of whom spoke against the bill
mined IN his opposition 10 the plea made 10y tn,
metropolitan members.
Something OF n sensation was produced by As
sembIvman Ellis. OF New-York city. who said
with bitter sarcasm
There IS evidently more behind this bin than
its author viii explain. but behind al lies that
scheme that has been denounced by tu" press
not merely IN the city of Ncw-Nork. but all
over the state. ! see tho head Of Iamapo APP
rearing You that the city 81 N-E-h prE
can get SIS supply from T." other side tn Other
words II can 20 into the valley Of the Ramapo.
which the gentleman from Orange Mr.. Bede'l
represents.
ure was carried hy an almost strict party vote.
the Manhattan Republicans voting with th"
minority. and a few OF the Democrats. including
Minority Leader Palmer. lodging the vote. After
The vote was announced Mr.. Bedeu rose and
carefully explained that his interest was not on
behalf Of Ramapo. but % HIS native Duchess
heath. He said.
Orange County doesn't want Ramapo to come
in: she wants 10 keep out Ramapo: but she also
ants TO keep out the city Of New-Yor<