The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-03-02

MORRIS CANAL
PROBLEM
oortlandt Parker Reviews
the Abandonment Scheme
il the Newark Daily
Advertiser.
PUBLIC VS.. CORPORATION
distinguished Lawyer Quotes
Authorities and Suggests
Remedies at Law.

Cortlandt Parker has sent a lengthy
comment on the canal problem TO the
Newark nDaily Advertiser He says;
The vote Of one member of the Senate
last week, followed By the publication Of
the bill to cause this abandonment TO
carry out the report of the three ex-Gov-
ernors made last year, indicate that the
contest over this great topic has begun,
Ii is a contest without motive on the
part Of those who initiate it except the
greed Of .pelf. In form. one wealthy cor
poration, the Lehigh Valley Company of
Pennsylvania, admitted generously TO
cross the territory of New Jersey, as
signee of the Morris Canal Company or
a majority of its stock. leads the fight
The Public Service Corporation is their
perhaps most active ally in it, because
they seek additional profit through the
city of Newark, the county of Essex and
the county of Hudson. And this corpo-
ration has sundry others with them and
is seeking more, aiming evidently at larg-
est OWNERSHIP of influences in the State.
And holding off silently as partners, but
sympathizing because interested in this
great struggle between railroad and canal
transportation and having an eye to
future of profit to themselves, are other
powerful corporations. On the anti
abandonment side the motive is only pub
lie good, the motive which chartered the
canal, that the western and northern por-
tions of the State might have cheap
method Of Transporting its rich ores, its
iron, zinc, franklinite and the products
Of its soil to a market eastward. together
with the coal and other minerals and pro-
duets of Pennsylvania through New Jer-
sey to New York Bay and to foreign
lands, an end for which millions
have been spent. originated by the best
intellects at the fine of the State, and
which produced its end, until the lease
Of the canal to a corporation of another
Stale was most unfortunately given.
The present character of the canal is
the ground upon which its abandonment
is sought. So far as the matter Of health
in Newark is concerned it is well de-
scribed in the presennment of the Essex
Grand Jury in April, 1908. which is in
part in these words: ''The Morris Canal
is a menace to the public health. Drains
from houses, factories, stables and other
buildings empty into the canal, some
above and many below its surface; dead
animals and decaSing vegetable matter
are found therein, and at some points
foul smells are noticed; a menace to
health and seriously interfering with the
carrying on of business in the vicinity of
he canal the canal on this
teiie -HaAhet street leNeD IS nOthlng
better than a stagnant pool; ii is seldom
used for capal traffic, and only few boats
pass through the locks If the canal
were in real use for commercial purposes
the water from the locks would do much
towards flushing the canal and prevent
ing its water from becoming foul and
stagnant'
Here is an assertion by a body having
jurisdiction nearly two years ago that
the canal was an indictable nuisance.
Certainly this nuisance in citizen Of
the size and character Of Newark CON
victs its author to be criminal. The single
question would seem to be has this
criminal been punished. and. if not, the
character. continuance and Nervousness
Of this erime, which has, all know. ex-
isted II growing enormity certainly many
years. plainly shows who are fhe guilty
PARTIES. The cessation of honest use Of
ails eahai' ms actual abandonment and
neglect to keep it in order. the fact that
only its owners had, have or can have
the right 70 keep its waters sweet by
use or care. and to punish and foil the
wroneslecas NJ ii1e line who have made
4 4 channel FOR garbage and flth. prove
incohts*tapix that they afe The criminal
parties Mhiie ppl,iie authorities, who
had been presenting. instead Of inaictips
tlie lnisaHee- nay noi ajustlx be ~.
gar'lea as accessories And all know
Mho are sie owpcFa that IS. the elimi-
mails.
Il Is the Lciish hyalley Railroad and
Canal Company, the lessee Of the Morris
After the grip. Or other serious illness.