USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Trenton > History of Trenton, New Jersey : the record of its early settlement and corporate progress. > Part 12
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It appears that Scales soon desired to sell his privilege to the inhabitants of Trenton if they would form a company, whereupon an organization, with a capital stock of $1,200, was created. Books for obtaining subscriptions were opened by Peter Gordon, and a President, two Directors, a Secretary and Treasurer were chosen. The following citizens subscribed to the stock : Isaac Smith, Peter Gordon, Ellett Howel, Thomas M. Potter, Henry Pike, Jerh. Woolsey, William Scott, Jacob Herbert, Abraham Hunt, Gershom Craft, George Dill, Ellett Tucker, Joseph Milnor, Joshua New- bold, Hannah H. Barnes, William Potts, Mary and Sarah Barnes, Joshua Wright, Stephen Scales, John R. Smith, A. Chambers, John Chambers, James Ewing, George Henry.
On the twenty-ninth of February, 1804, the Legislature passed an act incorporating the Trenton Water Works, by the name of "The President and Directors of the Trenton Water Works."
The original corporators were James Ewing, Peter Gordon, Thomas M. Potter, Gershom Craft and Alexander Chambers. James Ewing was chosen the first President and Peter Gordon and Thomas M. Potter, Directors.
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THE CITY OF TRENTON.
They were given authority to lay and extend their aqueduet through such of the streets of the city as they may think necessary, and to open and dig in such parts of said streets as may be con- venient for their purposes. It seems that the agreement between Scales and the water company had been made upon the eighteenth of September, 1802. This act was a practical confirmation of the agreement.
On the eighth of February, 1811, an act was passed to incorporate the proprietors of the Trenton Aqueduct Company. Andrew Reeder, Charles Rice, Stacy Potts, Joseph Broadhurst and Peter Howell were the original corporators.
The object of this company was the supplying of the city of Trenton with good and wholesome water. They were incorporated as "The President and Directors of the Trenton Aqueduct Com- pany." Andrew Recder was chosen President ; Charles Rice, Treasurer, and Staey Potts, Joseph Broadhurst and Peter Howell, Directors.
Their charter allowed them to open only four rods at a time in any of the streets of the city, not to be kept open more than three days at a time, and to be filled up at the expense of the com- pany, and to be rendered as good as if the same had not been taken up and removed. They were not to lay their main trunk through the streets of Trenton upon the same level with the trunks of the present company of the Trenton Water Works, but either higher or lower, that they might not impede them in carrying off their cross trunks. The capital stock was not to exceed $3,000, and was to be appropriated exclusively to the purpose of supplying the city of Trenton with good and wholesome water.
February 29th, 1848, the Trenton and South Trenton Aqueduct Company was incorporated for more effectually supplying the city of Trenton and borough of South Trenton with water. Its capital stock was $30,000, with the privilege of increasing the same to $50,000. The stock was divided into shares of $50 each. The corporators were John McKelway, William Halstead, Samuel McClurg, Charles Wright, Xenophon J. Maynard, John Sager and Alexander HI. Armour.
The corporation was authorized to use the water of the Delaware river, or the Assanpink creek below the dam, but not to take away, divert or in any manner injure or impair the supply of water in the fountains used by the Trenton Water Works Company.
In 1852 "The President and Directors of the Trenton Water Works" represented to the Legislature that the population of the city would no longer warrant the use of springs, and the Legislature thereupon authorized the company to take water from the Delaware river and elevate the same to the reservoir.
This practically marks the final abolition of the bored wooden water pipe, for which the iron pipe was substituted.
This corporation, "The President and Directors of the Trenton Water Works," retained pos- session of all the powers, privileges and franchises of the company of 1802, which purchased Scales' rights.
In March, 1858, pursuant to an act of the Legislature, the city of Trenton voted by a large majority to purchase the water works, and upon the first of March, 1859, the Legislature sanctioned the transfer of the water works to the inhabitants. The deed was dated March 7th, 1859, and signed by Charles Moore, President.
The new Water act provided for a Board of Commissioners, who superseded the President and Directors of the old organization. A "water loan " was also created. The first commission created under this act consisted of Charles Moore, Philemon Diekinson, Daniel Lodor, David S. Anderson, Jacob M. Taylor and Albert J. Whittaker. Enabling legislation extended the scope of the com- mission regarding their power to borrow money to extend the system.
The pumping station at the foot of Calhoun street is most complete in its character, and in the increase of its facilities has kept pace with the demands of a growing population. The intake of the works lies southeast of the abutment of the new Calhoun street bridge, whenec the water is raised to the large reservoir on Pennington avenue. The last two years have marked the erection of a massive sea-wall, fully protecting the property in time of the heaviest freshets, whilst the machinery of the works is of the best and latest design. The buildings are of brownstone, orna- mental in design, and are a source of great interest to visitors, who pronounce them unequaled as illustrations of their type.
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THE CITY OF TRENTON.
The Delaware has great prospective value as a source of water-supply for the eities of our own and adjacent States. While below Easton and the confluence of the Lehigh there is growing con- tamination, it will be seen by the results of a chemical analysis that there are at present no evidences of serious pollution above the city of Trenton. From the proportion of forest and the population per square mile, there are good indications of its fitness as a source of supply, especially above Easton. The portion above the Water Gap is not likely to become more populous for a long series of years, and furnishes, in all respects, a most desirable gathering-ground for public water- supply. The river already supplies 142,636 inhabitants of New Jersey with pure water, the total consumption being 17,010, 464 gallons daily.
At Trenton, the maximum flow is estimated at 1,314 cubic feet per second under natural con- ditions, but 383 cubic feet per second is diverted for canal purposes, leaving 931 cubic feet per second minimum flow: Probably the river does not fall as low as this oftener than once in a generation. This gives 601,600,000 gallons daily as the supply without storage. At the last monthly flow shown by the record, the natural flow of the river at Trenton amounts to 880, 000, 000 gallons daily.
VIEW OF DELAWARE RIVER AND THE FLUME.
The Water Commissioners are Charles H. Skirm, Lewis Lawton, Dunean Mackenzie, Joseph Stokes, Robert B. Bonney and A. V. Manning. The Secretary and Treasurer is Charles A. Reid. The office of the Water Board is in a small annex to the City Hall, facing East State street.
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
The present efficient Health Department of the city of Trenton is of no sporadic growth, but through the various city charters its evolution, slow though sure, may be traced. By ordinance of 1799, the Clerk of the Market is instructed to remove "unwholesome provisions" from the market or any other place where they are to be sold, to "keep elean and sweet" the market-house. Persons were required to clean the streets of mud and dirt, piling the refuse between the gutter and the "main part of the street," and remove the same in forty-eight hours or be fined $1 for every twenty-four hours it shall remain over time. In 1842 we find the Clerk of the Market empowered with similar duties as in 1799. The citizens in this year were still obliged to clean the streets. In
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1842 was passed an ordinance concerning nuisances. Penalties were imposed for exposing dead carcasses or filth, upon eareless butchers, soap boilers, tallow chandlers, et similiter. A penalty was laid for dragging raw hides along the pavement. Persons affeeted with the small-pox or contagious discases, in 1831, by ordinance were ordered to be removed with "as much care and tenderness as may be" to a place remote from the thickly-settled portion of the city. In 1837, an ordinance coneerning burial-grounds was passed, and, in 1842, an ordinance relative to preventing swine and goats from running at large on the streets.
In May, 1849, owing to the prevalence of the Asiatic cholera, a Board of Health was constituted. Under this ordinance the householders were required to remove filth from their premises, to keep the drains and gutters clean. The streets were to be examined from time to time by the Board of Health, and penalties were imposed for depositing garbage in vacant lots or along the Assanpink or the Delaware.
In the charter of 1866 the usual powers of the Board of Health were lodged in Common Council.
By virtue of an act of the Legislature in 1880, a Board of Health was established in 1882 which was in 1887 superseded by the present local Board of Health. This Board consists of seven mem- bers. In 1888 a sanitary code for the city was instituted. The Board has power, through the Health Inspector, of prohibiting the sale of adulterated food and drink, defining nuisances, prevent- ing contagious or infectious diseases, regulating the keeping and slaughtering of animals, of regu- lating the returns of births, marriages and deaths, the dumping of garbage, constructing, locating and cleaning cesspools and privies, connecting house-drains and sewers, and protecting the public water-supply.
Trenton, largely through the efficiency of her Board of Health, enjoys an exceptionally low death-rate. Diseases, particularly of a contagious or infectious kind, have been promptly stamped out, and the dangers which other cities experienced during the typhus, small-pox and diphtheria epidemics of recent years have practically left Trenton unscathed.
The Board of Health in its present organization is composed of Garret D. W. Vroom, President ; Thomas S. Chambers, Treasurer ; Wm. Cloke, Secretary ; William H. Mickel, Inspector ; Harry Huff, Daniel J. Friel, William C. Allen, Assistant Inspectors ; Jos. Schaeffer, Plumbing Inspector ; Dr. C. P. Britton, Dr. W. MeD. Struble, William Cloke, Dr. Frank V. Cantwell, William Golding. Meets first Tuesday in every month.
TRENTON'S PARKS.
Whilst the public park system of the city of Trenton practically commences with the purchase of Cadwalader Park in the year 1888, the theory of a breathing place for Trentonians may be traced to legislative action of forty years since. Upon February 18th, 1856, an act was passed authorizing the city to purchase lands for a public square, for which purpose they were authorized to create a loan not exceeding $50,000, and to issue bonds payable in twenty years, said bonds to bear interest at six per cent. per annum, and to be exempt from city tax and not to be sold at less than their par value.
No move was ever made under this particular legislation, and the matter was allowed to drop until the popular agitation from 1880-88 caused municipal action, with the present very beneficial results.
In 1888, the city of Trenton purchased of George W. Farlee a tract of land containing about eighty acres, for which the sum of $50,000 was paid. At the same time, the MeCall-Cadwalader tract of eight acres was bought for $9,600, as well as another piece of property of two acres of the estate of Thomas Cadwalader. A piece of the Atterbury property, embracing six acres, was pur- chased for $10,205. These lands, now laid out, embellished and properly maintained, have become Cadwalader Park and River Drive of the city of Trenton.
Cadwalader Park lies partially in the city of Trenton, but mainly in the township of Ewing. The estate, which surrounds a spacious mansion, lies about one and one-fourth miles from the City Hall. The property, well enforested, with wide drives and commanding views of the Delaware, is called Cadwalader Park in honor of the Chief Burgess under Trenton's pre-Revolutionary charter. During recent years notable improvements have been made in the erection of bridges, in grading
M
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the hillsides and providing proper approaches. In summer, a regimental band furnishes music. A marble statue of George Washington, of heroic size, overlooks the Delaware.
Monument Park lies at the base of the shaft commemorating the battle of Trenton. It is practically a small square, and has its walks leading to the monument. It was purchased in 1893. Broad Street or Spring Lake Park is in Hamilton township. Here a high bluff overlooks the meadow lands in which the streams feed- ing Crosswicks creek rise. Upon the properties adjacent were laid the scenes of those studies in natural history which have given Dr. Charles C. Abbott an international reputation. The place is famous for its pastoral scen- ery and was, in the early part of the present century, a resort of Bonaparte, the scientist, and other distinguished men.
The borough of Cham- bersburg, in April, 1888, a month before like action was SCENE IN "BROAD STREET" PARK. taken by Trenton, purchased for $13,000 a square for a publie park. The park is bounded by Emory avenue, Division street, Morris avenue and Chestnut avenue, and upon the consolidation of Chambersburg and Trenton, became the Tenth Ward or Roebling Park. This square is graded, sodded, covered with trees and is one of the city's most useful breathing places.
The organization of the present Park Commission includes John J. Cleary, President ; Charles J. Woerner, Henry F. Smith, W. Holt Apgar, Jonathan Coxon. Charles W. Bergen, Clerk ; John H. Mitchell, Superintendent. Meet first Monday in every month.
BOULEVARDS.
An effort is being made to secure the land along the river to improve it for the pleasure and health of Trentonians. The city already owns two-thirds of a mile above the water works, and about 3,000 feet more is needed to complete the line down to the State Capitol. Some of the property is held in trust by Board of Trade members for this very purpose. Not only would it furnish a beautiful drive and foot-path, but it would also give the city absolute control of that part of the river which lies near the inlet of the city water-supply. In South Trenton there is a similar strip along the Delaware, with the advantages of a high bluff and even better views. It is about 4,600 feet long.
OTHER PARKS.
The spacious grounds around the State Capitol, Normal and Model Schools, Deaf-Mute School and Insane Asylum, are laid out in excellent taste, and, while belonging to the State, are much enjoyed by Trentonians.
SEWERS AND DRAINS.
Although under and by virtue of the city charter of 1866 Common Council was authorized to construct sewers or drains, nothing seems to have been done to even institute a small portion of a general plan of city sewers until 1876, when the Clinton avenue sewer, from Model avenue to the
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Assanpink, was authorized by ordinance. As early as 1860 the eity permitted the building of a sewer from the prison to the Delaware. About the year 1875 a Warren street sewer, from the Delaware and Raritan canal to the Assanpink creek, was authorized. The general draining into Petty's run also commenced at this period, when the sewers on Fountain avenue, on Willow and West Hanover streets, on Pennington avenue, Spring street and the American House drain were authorized. These special drains, all running into an open stream almost devoid of water, caused the passage of an ordinance in 1880 to construct a sewer on Petty's run. Since this time the work of building sewers and drains has progressed with great rapidity. As early as 1848 an ordinance was passed providing for the opening and clearing out of Petty's run. The committee appointed for this purpose were William C. Branin, William Boswell and Aaron H. Van Cleve. This was probably the beginning of municipal action upon this subject.
Trenton, in her general sewerage system, took advantage of the act of March 8th, 1882, which authorized cities to construct sewers and drains, and by ordinance adopted the plan laid down by Rudolph Hering, the celebrated sanitary expert. This settled, for the present at least, the entire question. The whole problem turned upon Petty's run, which was once a private waterway of
PENNA. ENG. CO. PHILA.
RUSTIC SCENERY ALONG THE PROPOSED BOULEVARD.
small dimensions, but which gave Trenton no end of trouble and expense. At one time the stream, which had two branches, was cut in two by the feeder of the Delaware and Raritan canal. The flow of water not being sufficient to carry away the sewage, the stream became a menace to public health. For years attempts were made to construct wooden trunks, which soon decayed and became filled with stones and refuse. Even as late as 1885 there was a well-defined current of opposition to a general sewerage system for Trenton. But the successful manner in which the Petty's run difficulty was met solved the entire question, and the progress made in sewer-building during the last decade amply rewards past delays.
Trenton pays for her sewers by issuing temporary improvement certificates, the moneys for the redemption of which are raised by bond issues.
In 1889 Mr. Hering also presented a report upon a sewerage system for old Chambersburg. In general, it may be said of the eity plan that it provides for the drainage of lowlands and for sanitary relief, and is very comprehensive. The system provides for extension into new territory so soon as public necessity shall require, the waste being conveyed by a main sewer to tide-water at a point south of Riverview Cemetery. The geologic conditions of the city have rendered the
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building of sewers north of the Assanpink creek a work of much difficulty. Granitic and schistic rocks have impeded excavation, whereas the deep drift in Chambersburg has greatly simplified the problem in that portion of the town. From the fact that there are in Trenton no less than one hundred bridges, crossing the Assanpink, the canal, feeder, water power, Petty's run and smaller waterways, natural and artificial, it will be seen that sewer extension is, from this fact alone, a task of no small importance. The work has been done with great care, having due regard to the future growth of the city, as well as the ability of taxpayers of the present to meet the obligations of the city.
When completed, Trenton, in spite of geologie difficulties, will have one of the best sewer systems in the Eastern States.
THE EXCISE DEPARTMENT.
Under the first city charter (1792), the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and assistants, or a majority of them in Common Council, had the exclusive right of licensing taverns in the same manner as the licenses were granted by the Courts of Quarter Sessions of the Peace. Under the charter of 1837, the City Court of Quarter Sessions, then organized, assumed the power of granting licenses, which power, in 1840, when the court was abolished, was lodged in the Mayor, Aldermen and Recorder of the city. In 1832 an ordinance was passed which provided that spirits were not to be taken from the premises of the innholder. The system of licenses by Council was continued by the charter of 1874. In 1884 the act of the Legislature led to the permanent establishment of the present excise department, which was created by ordinance in 1887. The board is composed of five members, who are represented by the License Inspector, who is required to observe and report upon all violations of the liquor laws.
The city has now about three hundred and fifty saloons regularly licensed, and the city ordi- nances are, as a rule, better kept than in other cities of like size.
The Board of Excise is composed of Jacob Blauth, President ; John Barlow, Joseph Haggerty, John T. Moore, David T. Wittenborn ; John A. Smith, Inspector ; C. Edward Murray, Clerk.
ELECTRIC LIGIITING AND ITS HISTORY.
Trenton has the reputation of being a particularly well-lighted city. Concerning the congested districts, it is of interest to know that the operations of the criminal class have been much restricted by the means of electric illumination, the lights proving a valuable ally to the police force. There are upon the municipal circuit about two hundred and fifty street are lights, divided into seven circuits, and in the borough of Wilbur there are fifteen lights. These are all of two thousand candle power. The city of Trenton uses no incandescent lights except in the City Hall and in the clock tower of Saint Mary's Cathedral. These lights average sixteen candle power. Trenton does not own an electric light plant but has a contract with the Trenton Light and Power Company, whose plant is located at 19 Chauncey street, on the line of the Belvidere division of the Pennsylvania railroad.
Electric lighting in this city had its origin in 1883, when the Mercer and Burlington Electric Light Company was incorporated. Although composed of active business men, this organization had no vitality. Thence developed the People's Electric Light Company, which dates its existence from 1885. Upon January 12th of that year a score of are lights were introduced, a single dynamo, located in Cubberly & Kafer's shop, supplying the "current." A power-house was soon erected on Assanpink creek, at the foot of Jackson street. In the fall of 1886 the incandescent system was installed. The power-house for the latter scheme of lighting was located in the center of the block bounded by State, Broad, Warren and Front streets. In 1891 the company moved to its present location, and one year later, on re-organization, the Trenton Light and Power Company came into being. As its name indicates, this corporation supplies are and incandescent lights for public and private use, as well as furnishing electricity for motors. The well-equipped plant, one of the finest of its type in the United States, gives permanent employment to thirty men. Its officers are : James Moses, President ; Frank A. Magowan, Vice President ; William B. Allen, Treasurer, and Joseph T. Ridgway, Second Vice President and General Manager.
CHAPTER XVI.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ITS EARLY ORGANIZATION AND GROWTH-THE PRESENT DEVELOPMENT-THE PRECINCT STATIONS- THE PRESENT COMMISSIONERS AND SUPERIOR OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
HE POLICE Department of Trenton may be traced to very primitive yet aristocratic origin. By ordinance of March, 1799, the City Marshal was invested with all the power and authority of a county sheriff, and when required by Common Council "shall carry in his hand a small staff or wand, similar to those usually carried by sheriffs." Among the Marshal's duty was to walk through the different parts of the city at least once a week, hunting for idle and disorderly persons. He was instructed to enforce the laws and ordinances relative to the prevention of swine running at large, as well as to give notice to the Street Commissioners of all nuisances and obstructions. In his constabular capacity the Marshal was entitled to legal fees, but ex officio he received the munificent salary of $20.
As late as April, 1856, Trenton was guarded by a City Marshal and one watchman from each ward-six people in all. They were vested with the usual constabulary powers, among other matters to light and extinguish the city lamps. The police were subject to the order of the Mayor, who was a Police Justice. The Mayor received a salary of $500, the Marshal a like sum and the watchmen $400. By slow degrees, adding new men and broadening the plan and scope of the police department, slowly divorcing the appointments from political considerations, the system has reached its present development. The next few years will see great and necessary changes, which, as in the past, will contribute to the good of the public.
The Police Department of the city of Trenton in 1895 consists of a well-organized and particu- larly-efficient body of seventy-seven men, consisting of one Chief, two Captains, six Sergeants, two detectives, three roundsmen, one chanceman, one Police Surgeon, one Electrician, two patrol drivers and two Janitors. There are fifty-six patrolmen. The department was established upon its present basis under an act of the Legislature passed in 1885, which had for its object the removal of the police departments of New Jersey cities from political control, provided the cities accepted the provisions of the act. Trenton accepted these provisions. A bi-partisan board of four Police Commissioners, having been selected by the Mayor, is confirmed or rejected by City Council. The Commissioners appoint a clerk. They also appoint and discharge all members of the force "as may appear best for the public interest in such department." They also make by-laws, rules and regulations for the government of the Board, and "fix and regulate the compensation of all officers, servants and employes."
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