True American. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1835-18??, 1838-11-16
THE WATER WORKS


No one can, for q moment, dispute that the tear
ing up OF our pavemenis for .he purses Of the
water, or gas company, is nuisance of the worst
kind; being as inconvenient to the citizens, per-
sonally, as oner"us to their purposes, generally
The pnvemenls now in use,whcn oaee torn up ca n
never be replaced with frmness; and therefore Is
1t abundanry necessary to avoid it, as much as
possible We are aware that it is occasionally
imperative, but when we find it so constantly done
we at that there is some radical defect
in the original laying of the pipes. This is pal
pable to every mans common sense. When
Gas company drives four inch main, and in
yeara after takes it up and substitutes fire, which
again gives place to sir, eight, ii is not only
an outrage on public convenience, and public pro,
perty,but betokens in the institution so operating,a
contemplate parsimony, or want of ordinary fore.
sight. We do not that the Gas CONF any is
most to blame: nay, we are more disposedto think,
from constant complaint, and frequent information,
that the Water company is the party most in fault.
we are told that the pipes they are now driving
must inevitably, at no distant period, be replaced
BY others of greater calibre; and thus the pave
men,s, now forming will have to be torn up, and
concern the public interest, and the public have
hight to demand that such prccaution be used as
wl-so far as human foresight gocs-prevent this
oner"us result 1t is particularly necessary in
public establishments like the Waters work E, that
competent man, and none but a com petent m q n,
should snperintend the laying of the pipes. We
know not ia whose control this matter is, but are
led to treat npon he subject by seeing ten inch
main being laid in Ram art street, where there
should be, at least, t,rclue inch pipe.
The charter of the Commercial Water worfs, makes
it imperative the company that they should supply
the city at all points, up elevation of Is feet Now
as their reservoir is but a. 25 feet high this
CURES the utmost circumspecon in laying the pipes
and an intimate knowledge of the nature of fluids when
carried through such medium 1t wants The incest
possible arrangement of the bore, cabre, of the
mains, to supply the city agreeably the charter from
reservoir of such triing elevation. 1t is tre to say
"water rW find its levls" yet if main running from
the works to Espanadesreet be stopped at Canal and
an opening be made equal to the dimensions of the
pipe, how is supply to be obtained both Canal
and Espanade SIT The nearest one to the fountain
head is to draw off the waer-en what is to be-
come ofhe owerl There must necessarily be required
large and elevated head with carefully graduated ar
ralgement OF pipes, to insure an adequate supply and
none but an efficient and practical these
manifold mntters. As We before observed we know not
in whom this power is vested, but having taken so ac
tive part in the paving of our city, feel bound
urge the necessity of most careful superintenlence,
so as to prevent our streets being constantly torn
up to remedy the errors OF gnoancc, the parsmony
Of folly. Beyond very skilfu arrangement in gradu-
ang the size of the pipes in seeing to the making of
fitting appertnrcs for the supply of public hydrnnts,
private cstens, it is impertvey necessary that
the Reservoir is every way adequate to the demands of
the CITY, and III requirements of the charter. The COM
pany is bound to supply all individuals, to ele
walton of fifteen feet; to furnish water in of fire,
aud to irgate the copiousy, and all required
times Pipes Of large capacity, say l6 even 8 inch
es bore, are articles of primary importance, but these
are useless without some practical intelligence super
intend their ramifcatons An experienced man, to
overlook these mechanical operations is alike demands
ed by the interest Of the stockholders and the rights of
the citizens. We know not whose duty such care may
be- but certainly the President of Bank is any thing
but fit to regulate the mechanical details of
public Water Works.
In Philadelphia, though the works are generally es-
teamed the most perfect in the tnon-and although the
head of the Reservoirs elevated 60e there are entire
districts where water he drawn height of Is
feet, nay, where supply cannot he obtained at all.
And why is this not from any want of water at the
head, but frum the of head in laying down the
proper pipes. The citizens dwelling in and about
Franklin square, for instance constantly complain
ing through the papers, of inadequate supply. Were
such the with MS the Commercial Banks charter
were Justly fnreited yet how much likely is it to
happen here7 The Bank has the rover, if properly
exercised of realizing the objects ofthe Legislature the
wishes of the citizens, and the interests of the stockhod
but this cannot be done without fit agents. Let not
the President suppose the power to will, necessarily
carries with it hewisd to'nc Let not our streets be
torn up, and our pavemens de troyed, because igno-
rance is cheaper lhancapacty power delights in pat