American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-04-22
TELEGRAPH
WASHINGTON CITY IMPROVEMENTS.


Those of our readers who have perused the
article on this subject, copied into the Telegraph
on Friday last, win read with interest the fol-
lowing report of yesterdays proceedings Of the
Board of Common Council, which appears in
the Republic of this morning: @ a
Among the subjects which occupied the at
tention of the Board was that embraced in q
joint resolution from the Board Of Aldermen,
instructing the Mayor to respectfully request
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 inter
section with the present Washington Canal to
it's terminus in the Easteyn Branch, and to re-
port what would be the best mode and cost of
SO STRENGTHENING or altering its present course,
by either draining or filing up portion of il,
as to prevent lodgment Of the waters on
the low lands adjacent to it. And also whether
it would be practicable to have collateral ca
nal and basin at the terminus in the Eastern
Branch sufficient to float boats of equal dimen-
sions with those adapted to float on the Wash
ington Canal; and, if so, the amount of cost
requisite to completes the same
Mr.. McKim moved to strike out the latter
clause, when ,r.,... r.
Mr.. Wheeler expressed the hope that the res
olution would pass in its present form 1t
merely proposed to inquire into the expediency
of the work, and to this there could be no Sc
rious objection. Most of the members were not
aware that if the object contemplated should be
carried into effect it would not cost the corpo-
ration one dollar. E
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 totally from the views of the gem
tlemen of the other board who reported it. He
did not consider james creek a source of i'll
health; he had never thought SO for the last
ten years; nor had the board of health so de-
cided, although two or three efforts had been
made with this object, but without success.
Mr.. McKim was in favor of some mode for
draining the low lands, but was opposed to
digging another 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
commit the Corporation Mr.. Fisk, the engi-
neer, was now engaged on the canal, and a
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 interests; and there
fore the inquiry should be made in the manner
proposed. p. ..... e
Mr. McKim confessed that he was not con-
vinced of the expediency of putting the General
Government to the expense and trouble of fur
nishing that which may never be of use to us.
He regarded proposition for canal at James
Creek as wild and visionary. This would never
be great commercial city it would not be an
Amsterdam or Rotterdam and it would be bet
ter to attend to the canal which we already
have.
Mr.. Bryan opposed the amendment If they
were going to ask for information, it would be
better to get all they could.
Mr.. Hill (the President of the Board) regarded
the project of digging canal at James Creek
as of great public importance. For years he
had bestowed much attention on the subject
and he had no doubt that, ultimately, canal
would be made to Greenleaf's Point He did
not question the utility of the measure; and the
canal would be made whenever the public in
terests should require it. Therefore, he should
vote for the resolution, being desirous of obtain
ing the information as soon as practicable
Mr.. Hutchinson said that he was acquainted
with the locality of James Creek, and that it
w,ls impossible to cut canal through it, the
mud being so soft. If a canal was ever made
there, it would have to be alongside of the creek,
not across it, so as to bring its mouth to Buz-
zard Point The channel of the creek is mar
rover than any other, and the water there runs
swifter; and, therefore, he should vote for the
amendment.
Messrs Brent and McKim made few re-
marks in explanation, when
Mr.. Wheeler said that the canal spoken of
was of vital Importance to the city. In the
course Of five or six years there will not be
room enough to receive the coal on the line Of
the present canal. Alexandria and Georgetown
are making extensive preparations for the coal
trade, and we should not be idle to profit by it
in like degree. The river in the eastern sec
ton is deep enough to float vessels of the same
size as those which go to Alexandria, and he
did not see why we should not have canal at
James Creek.
The question being taken on the amendment,
it was disagreed to-yeas 6, nays j; and the
resolution was then adopted.