The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-22
Local Matters.

which occupied the attention oil the Board OF Com
mon Council yesterday afternoon was that en-
braced in joint resolution from the Board of Al
dermeD, instructing the mayor to respectfully re-
quest the President Of the United States to detail
as soon as he may deem proper, one of the engi-
neers to survey James creek, from its intersection
with the present Washington canal to its terrni-
nus in the Eastern Branch, and to report what
would be the best mode and cost of straighten-
ing altering its present course, by either drain
ing or filling up portion Of it, SO as TO prevent
Judgment Of the waters on the low lands adjacent
to It. And also whether it would DO practicable to
have a collateral canal and basin at the terminus in
the Eastern Branch sufficient to float boats Of equal
dimensions with thosc adapted to float on the
Washington canal; and. if 30, the amount of cost
requisite to complete the same.
MIR. McKIM moved to strike out the latter clause,
whcn-
Mr.. WHEELER expressed the hope that The rcso-
luton would pass in its present form. 1t merely
proposed to inquire into the cxpcdency Of the
work, and TO this there could be no serious objec-
ton Most of tho members were not aware that, if
the object contemplated should be carried into
effect it would not cost the Corporation one dollar
Mr. MILLER wished to know Of what utility the
information asked for would be, if the work was
not to cost the Corporation one dollar, and if they
were not to be called upon to do any thing. He
had no objection to the resolution, but differed to-
tally from the views of the gentlemen of the other
board who reported it. He did not consider James
creek source Of i'll health he had never thought
for the last ten years; nor had the Board OF
Health decided, although two or three efforts had
been made with this object, but without success
Mr.. McKIM was in favor of some mode for drain
ing the low lands, but opposed to digging
other canal. We already have one and that is as
much as we can attend to and make profitable.
Mr. BRENT said that the resolution did not COM
NIT the Corporation. MIR. Fisk, the engineer, was
now engaged on the canal, and more favorable
opportunity for obtaining the desired information
could not be presented. We should leave no room
for remark that we have neglected the public in
tcrests and therefore the inquiry should be made
in the manner proposed.
Mr. McKrs1 confessed that he was not convinced
of the expediency of putting the General Govern
ment to the expense and trouble of furnishing that
which may never be OF use TO US. He regarded a
proposition for a canal Mt James creek wild and
visionary. This would never be great CONNER
cial city; it would not be an Amsterdam or Rotter
dam; and it would be better to attend to tho canal
which VIC already have.
Mr.. BRYAN opposed the amendment. If they
going to ask for information, 1t would be bet
ter to get all they could.
Mr. HILL (thc president of the board) regarded
the project'o of digging canal at James creek as
Of great public Importance. For years he had be-
slowed much attention on the subject; and he had
no doubt that, ultimately, canal would be made
TO Grecnleafs Point. He did not question the utl-
ity Of the measure; and the canal would be made
whenever the public interests should require it.
Therefore he should vote for the resolution being
dcsirous of obtaining the information as
practicable.
MIR. HUTcHINsoN said that he was acquainted with
the locality of James creek, and that it was ;mpos
sible to cut canal through it, the mud being so
soft. If canal made there, it would
have to be alongside of the creek, not across it,
Ms to bring its mouth to Buzzard point. The chan
mel of the creek is narrower than any other, and
the water there runs swifter; and, therefore, he
should vote for the amendment.
Messrs. BRENr and McKIM made few remarks
in explanation, when
MIR. WHEELER said that the canal spoken of
Of vital Importance to the city. In the course Of
five or six years there will not be room enough to
receive the coal the line of the present canal.
Alexandria and Georgetown are making extensive
preparations for the coal trade, and should not
be idle to profit by it in like degree. The river
in the eastern section 10 deep enough to float vcs-
sells of the same size those which go to Alexan-
dria, and he did not why we should not have
canal at James creek.
The question being taken on the amendment, it
was disagreed to-yeas 6, nays -; and the resolu-
ton was then adopted.
CncuIT CouRr.-We learn that to- day, an issue
will be tried with reference TO the validity of the
will of General Kosciusko.
AncHBIsHop EccLEsroS, we learned late yester-
Il afil in, cir in lint no
dying condition, and that his physicians were en-
gagged in trying to bring his system under the in
huence of mercury.
BoARp OF HEALrH.-The Mayor sent message
to the Board of Aldermen yesterday nominating,
members of the Board of Health for the Sixth
ward, DR.. John M. Roberts and John f. Bates, in
place OF DR.. N. Young, who has removed from that
ward, and James Crandell, who has been appointed
police magistrate. These nominations were con-
frmed.
The EIGHTH ANNIvERsAny OF THE WAsHINGToN
CRY SABBATH SCHOOL UNION was held at the
Fourth Presbyterian church. Ninth street, last
night. There was large assemblage Of Sabbath
school scholars and many adults. The services
were highly interesting, and consisted of singing,
addresses by the Rev w T. Eva and the Rev. J.
G. Smith, and prayer.
From the reading of the report of the Secretary,
o. c. Wight, we learned that attached to the Sab
bath school of the First Presbyterian Sabbath school
there are 1872 scholars Second do ST. street do 1926
Fourth do. 40S; Methodist Protestant, Ninth street,
10; do. Navy Yard, s.; Methodist, Union Chapel,
ITO; Ryland, 2lS; Foundry, l40; Wesley Chapel,
405 McKendree, Dos; Baptist, Tenth street, SO;
z street do. 100; Lutheran, st. Paul's, l49; Eng
lish Hill, go; Western Station, St; Greenlcaf's
Point, 81. Total, male scholars, 1869; female
scholars, l,4l3; male teachers, 1863; female teach
ers, 2i2. Volumes in the libraries, 1907. Number
Of conversions during the year. 49, deaths, 10. The
above compose the Onion"
Ofall Protestant scholars, 1896 arc white; num-
Der Of teachers, 532; colorcd, $50; teachers, a.
The Roman Catholic Sunday Schools have $50
scholars, aud 30 teachers. Tho entire number of
Sabbath school scholars in the city is $685. teach
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