The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-09-01
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, ISi9.
The Reecs-Pr~gess Of Public Improvements IN
Washingt om-Neio Wata Uuks from the Great
Falls.
During the recess between the short and long
sessions, were it not for the appropriations voted
by Congress for public improvements, the Federal
City would wearithe appearance of place DESC
lated by pesiilence; but the liberality Of Con-
gress and the prudent savings of some Of the citi
zens enabling them to put up house or two in the
interval, gives something Of an air Of prosperity
to the EsetIlemenf even during the almost intolc-
rable stagnation Of the dog-days. On the public
improvements Of various kinds within the limits
Of this corporation, at this time, and upon private
buildings going up, there probably not less than
a thousand men employed, giving subsistence to
number Of people equal to cne-tenih Of ths popu-
laton.
There are engaged IN the erection Of the worth
wing of the Patent Office, $50 men-in repairing
and painting the White House, % men-do. at
the Capitol, so men-ln the completion OF the Clry
Hall, government half owner, 80 men--in the
building Of the Washington National Monument,
20 m,n--in cleaning sut the canal, $50 men-upon
the Smithsonian institute, 100 mcn-In the grading
and paving Of streets, $50 men, &c.
IL is contemplated TO petition Congress at the
next session for an appropriation OF two or three
hundred thousand dollars To begin WITH toward The
construction OF an aqueduci from the Great Falls
Of the Potomac, fifteen miles distant, down into
the heart Of the city. In that distance the river
has fall Of sevcnty.Gye teet; whereas the level
Of PenDsy avenue In scarcely more than four
feet above the level Of the river ut high tide, so
that the Great Falls present the elevation and the
water for Inc most extensive system OF fountains,
cisterns, fire plugs and even factories of any river
pc rhaps, this side Of Canada.
stream of wafer, sufficient for present purposes
might be brought down IA pipes from the falls for
S250, GOO; and "a supply twice the volume OF Croton
river secured Tor an expenditure Of three millions.
There is a range of heights just back OF the city,
with general upland level extending to the falls.
So poiniedly these great falls presented by
ture for oil the purposes Of an Incxhausube sIsply
OF soft, fresh water the capital, that Mr.. Jeilrr-
cons attention was drawn To them. in this conncc-
ton, thirty years ago We hope that Congress
will at lesst grant the ESQ 900 for this great work
Of supplying sufftiebcy of water for the use and
safety Of the public buildings. People need not
open their eyes AT the cost. General Jackson pro-
posed bridge over the Potomac, at Washington,
TO cost twelve millions, to be built by the govern
ment; and IL is now generally conceded that IL was
the best that could have been made OF the sur
plus revenue at tkat time. Let us have plenty &c
water, and let us have some fountains on the
grounds Of the White House, and the Capitol, and
the Smithsonian Institute. II the idea of the water
works had only suggested itself to old Hickory
after the burning Of the Treasury Department, we
should now have the Potomac diffused all over
town. w.