The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-07
City improvements.

I'd instant What argument there is in it in favor of
Property Holders" position. will let our readers
Judge for themselves. ''H" spoke from actual know
ledge and, although committee were appointed
in December last by the corporate authorities, to stake
into consideration after due examination and inquiry
what means might be successfully exerted TO pro-
tect and improve the channel the Washington side,
from Geenleafs Point to Georgetown" "F. G. C." does
not inform us whether they have reported favoraby or
not
We had reference in our article to canal and such
other improvements as would facilitate the trade coming
to the District through the Ohio and Chesapeake canal
and gave reasons, based upon practical observa
ton alone, why it eide to talk of making any
improvements above the bridge, the Washington side,
for canal purposes" In that article we said:
"We want point where ,ciads, feshets lo,c tides
will interfere with the navigation; and zoe knor by
actual obserudtton that there interruptions OF week
time in the navigation above the Washington and
Alexandria bridge No vessel will attempt to beat up
the channel and through the draw of the bridge
Washington sde when heavy westerly winds are pre-
vailng These winds sometimes rage for days; and the
heavy freshets river operate in the manner
We the strong, that sailing vessel
could make Roadway for aweek. We have known
sells having freight for Georgetown and Washington to be
detained Alexandria for week, account OF the
eshets and adverse winds in fact our merchants have
been compelled to have their freight discharged the lat
place. and brought this city by steamboats, on
count of these deenons This would never answer,
hundreds of boats arriving daily from the in
terror adened with produce for the eastern cities They
would fill up every sorehoue, and many of them would
detained here the vessels were detained which
could not get But this would not be all. The
chant, and shippers would depend upon city
sh piping point and the result would be, that nearly the
whole trade would 20 to Alexandria"
Neither sF G. c., nor property Holder" attempts to
deny that these distractions do exist; for they well
known to every one who has taken the trouble make
himself acquainted with the facts.
But again: although in December last the resolutions
referred to passed, committee appointed and
an appropriation of sum not exceeding $40 was made
to deay any reasonable expenses that might be incur
red by said committee, still four months have passed.
and if we are correctly informed, favorable action of
the corporation has taken place upon the report of the
the corporation deemed these improvements in the river
above the bridge necessary for the welfare OF the city,
they have had sufficient time not only upon their
$40 examination and commence the work, but TO have
it half finished.
AS to casting any obloquy upon property Holder"
was not our intention; and F. G. c. is wrong when he
states that the columns of the Unon" have been closed
to any communication in reference 10 the proposed i'm.
provements of city canal except OF sectional char
acter AS far HIS knowledge goes. no article. sent
to the Union has been refused place and he is well sat
sfed that no agumentatve article. either for az inst
our canal Improvements, will be rejected. AS for H.
whether he is considered modest or immodest, he will
take the liberty speak his sentiments freely long as
he has the same interest stake in Washington other
citizens; and when he remarks that m is idle to talk"
abouta matter, he will give very good for it
Ruf nj has late he's ado
by one branch of the corporate authorities and which he
hopes will be concurred in by the other, to employ
petent engineer to make survey OF city canal,
and report to the board what improvements necessary
for the canal trade, what will be the cost OF said i'm.
provemens, &c. take for granted that the twenty
dollar appropriation and examination has fallen to the
ground, and city authorities have taken up the sub
ject in more enlightened manner. AS we said few
days since
Ths the true course to pursue Let correct survey
be made of the whole line by practical engineer who has
knowledge of canal operations and he will designate
what part of city is best adapted for shipping the pro-
duce which will flow into tho District through the Ohio
and Chesapeake Canal. He will take into consideration
this business and if city has any point where there
found great natural advantages for constructing
these basins, wharves, &c, he will designate it,"
Whatever this engineer Does if he is scientific and
practical man, shall believe it to be the best for the
interests of the city, and cheerfuy submit TO his views
even if he thinks the channel above the bridge the
Washington side will answer all our canal purposes.
We are satisfied practical and scientific engineer will
hazard his reputation by selecting inferior position for
our contemplated improvement In the mean time,
stated before the columns OF the Union will be open
Property Holder or of G. c." well to any other
citizen who desires place before the public his views
as to what is most beneficial to the interests and welfare
OF our city H.
To the Editor of the Union
1t is with regret that the author Of the paper entitled
tona Intelligencer of the 22d October S47 has read
editorial introduction to communication signed "Non-
Property Holder in your paper OF March ID, 1915
The author of the above mentioned paper having 10.
Gated his suggested Improvement in the river above the
bridge must consider himself of the objects of the
oboquy dealt out that editorial He feels that Impair
TALLY and dsinerested motives have not brought within
the scope of the columns OF the Unon papers which,
at the time of their publication, respectfully for
warded in print to the editor of the Union They were
pertinent the questions involved and were indeed the
improvements derived their vitality. Hitherto, in these
squabbles among Spectators about city improvements
he has taken part These improvements but the
subsidiaries any radical improvement the approaches
to the Potomac valley They by him left untouched
as they are in themselves egtimate deductions from
the tenor of the resolutions passed by the city corporation
in December, 1s47, which are as follows:
Resoiped, &C., That committee of member. of the
Board of Aldermen and two members of the Board of Com