The daily union., 1852-08-31

and unless we get more stringent laws. it will be mpos
slbe TO prevent persons from tapping the pipes which
conduct the water along the streets to the departments
Indeed we have found owing TO that circumstance, that
when there has been fire. there has sometimes been
dangerous scarcity OF water look upon it. therefore, TO
be the very first want OF this city TO obtain adequate
supply OF water and the best and most economical mode
oil obtaining II, seems TO me- is 10 obtain surveys and
estimates from the engineers department., epon which
the Committee for the District OF Columbia pass, and
out OF which they can select some suitable plan 10 pro-
pose for our consideration al the next session.
Mr. UNDERWOOD hope the amendment will be
retained. rise TO say that there three or four
projects which have been entertained upon this subject
one 10 bring water from the great falls o the Potomac
and my information upon that subject is thai Il 4 be
brought from that place, by the natural law OF water
finding is own level you may gel supply that VIII use
project s TO have dam al the little falls some two or
three miles above Georgetown, and them by means OF
force pumps upon the plan OF the Schnylkill operations
ply this city from that point third plan is TO furnish II
from Rock creek.
Among all these various plans that have been sug-
gestej IT 10 TO be necessary 10 employ competent
engineers upon the ground and make the estimates and
give the results, that Congress may hereafter act
understandngly upon the subject.
One remark more, and am done This city, as every
body has perceived is growing with rapidity unpar.
alleed in its past history. II 10 visible TO all our eyes
You new structures going up in every par OF It, The
tables show you the vast increase IN population
in the last ten years Now, if this rate OF increase con-
tnues, believe il will, the present supply of water
will not be anything like sufficient for the demands Tor
private independent OF the public uses. Indeed,
believe the supply already deficient in reference TO pri
yaie uses in which the whole seat of government and
everybody connected with it, in its legislative and execu
tive capacity, intimately concerned Under such cir
the appropriation proposed being for the pur
pose OF obtaining preliminary information, do hope il
will be adopted and the engineers sent out 10 report be-
tween all these various plans that we may have the
data by which we may act discreetly hereafter
Mr.. CLARKE. do not intend 10 oppose this appro-
Priaton. care not--perhaps no gentleman here cares
laca fhan L dp.-u uhah ha n n
smaller But, sir here you have corps OF engi-
neers probably twenty OF them in the city OF Washing
ton, doing nothing, and you propose TO appropriate 900
to send of them out TO make survey to ascertain
from what point the city OF Washington can be best sup
piled with good and wholesome water The Importance
asa 10 @ wi w Ss be
Of great 10 the city of Washington as the supply
OF water TO Boston, New York. or Philadelphia. But,
sir have either OF these cities been supplied with water
have supplied themselves. They compel those who use
it 10 pay tax 10 the city TO pay for furnishing it. 1t
regulation OF their own, and have no doubt mat The
benefits such amount OF money would induce
them TO dispense with.
But as said, do not intend TO oppose the appropra-
ton. Si would like to have the amendment amend
ed, so to include The city of Georgetown. have
taken down list OF all the provisions contained in this
bill for the benefit of the city OF Washington, and, as
stated before with the addition OF the amendments to be
offered by the Committee for the District OF Columbia,
they will amount TO something like S2OO.0OO; and yet
there is not solitary provision for the city OF George
and and, il may so express IT, the paerna regard
of this government. Washington Although the pub
lie buildings located in this city, still il appears 10
that paernal should not be extended solely
over Washington while the city of Georgetown is TO be
treated sometimes hear OF some poor reation-as
though she came in lehanded upon the wrong side OF
the blanket. | think Georgetown Is entitled 10 some
consideration; and if it be important that Washington
should be supplied with water for The purpose OF extn
gushing hres and for the OF the inhabitants, 1t is
equally important that the supply should extend TO
Georgetown.
AS remarked, have no objection 10 the appropria-
ton; but il il is TO be made have not the least doubt
in the world that the whole amount will be expended;
and the probability s more will be asked Tor IN conse
quence oil deficiency in the sum appropriated. And
when you appropriate IS 900 TO do what know can
get done in my poor country for $500 you may be pretty
certain that you will be called upon for some five or ten
thousand more Notwithstanding the work is TO be done
by engineers who belong to the United States, and are
here doing nothing.
IL the amendment is 10 pass-and have no objection
10 lis passage shall move TO insert the city OF George
town, 10 give this poor relative little share oil The
advantage enjoyed by hoss who have taken up their req
dence in this city II that amendment shall meet with
the favor of the Senate, shall make no objection 10
the appropriation; though think the appropriation is
TOO large, aud for that reason think the amendment OF
the senator from New Hampshire is very well.
The PRESIDENT. The amendment is not now in
order.
MIR. MANGUM am not prepared 10 express or 10
form any opinion as 10 the amount appropriated. sup.
pose il is according TO estimate so understood i from
The chairman Of the Committee on Finance. But as TO
TO this city, there IS not gentleman present who does
not feel deeply and profoundly interested And whether
that supply is to be obtained from Rock creek the Po
iomac. II is indispensable TO have scientific examina.
ton know whether the volume OF water will be suh.
cien and II IL be procured by the expenditure OF
such the legislation OF the country will feel
justified in appropratng feel perfect conviction that
is the OF Congress that should have all the
necessary preliminary information to enable 10 act in
enlightened manner upon the subject, and that Con-
gress at this session is willing TO vote any reasonable
TO ascertain what will be the probable cost OF
bringing sufficient supply OF water TO this city shall
therefore vote for this appropriation with great deal
OF pleasure and so far regards Georgetown, am per-
fecily willing 10 do what is reasonable and necessary.
Mr.. B0RLAND | have no particular objection to
the amendment offered by the senator from New Hamp-
shire, Mr.. HALE bat cannot any necessity Tor it.
We all know very well that whenever make ap.
prorriaon, the whole amount OF II is very TO be
pended. am not aware that instance has ever
Cured where II has been otherwise. Therefore
slider the amendment altogether unnecessary. Un.
less you reduce the amount appropriated, II will be
in vain TO expect, by making such provision, that II
will not all be used.
But, Mr. President shall vote against this appropra-
ton, not because prepared to say il is too large for
the purpose requredfor do not know that Il is that
IL is even large enough-bu upon the general ground
that do not consider II the duty OF Congress to establish
waterworks for this city or any other We expend an
immense amount OF money every year Tor the city
OF Washington. We told that IL is increasing
and improving rapidly than any other city perhaps
in the Union. And what is that this increase
and Improvement The natural location OF the city and
its advantages Tor business ana trade, such as build up
other cities No, sir il is the money expended by
Congress in the District, and nothing else Remove the
seat from here and leave the city OF Washington ITSELF
to depend upon its natural for and