The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-01-29

The discussion of the propositions to increase
the supply of water for the city is beginning Ia
excite, as IL should, great deal of Interest. sd
In the Dispatch to-day, presents the arguments
against Mr.. EELEr's plan. They chiefly. however
apply to the drawing of the water from point
below the peDitentiary pond. Mr.. ELLEr has al
ready suggested that the pipes may be extended
to a point above that, should the prejudices be
too strong to admit of one lower.
Another objection urged, is that there will be
often in summer no water in the lower level Of
the canal. That objection will apply also to both
Mr.. ELLEr's and Messrs. GILL and DAVIS plans for
q prospective increase of the supply by erecting
forcing pumps to be supplied directly from The canal
These plans indeed con template not only the draw
ing of the increased supply for consumption from
the canal btt The clter 10 ,cor The pumps in addition
Aud yet there are those who express great admira
ton of Messrs GILL and DAVE plan, who assert thai
Mr.. ELLEr's is visionary aud impracticable and
especially so for the reason that there will be
scarcity of water 10 the canal in summer. ant
that sometimes il will be entirely dry! Yet il
not the water of the canal allowed to run low ir
summer on Sundays and at other times, simply
because it is not wanted? And if supply wa,
steadily needed from it, would it not be perfectly
easy always to have it, unless there should be
break in the lower level, At the first locks there
is an inlet lock, which can supply any amount
that may be needed, at least by the city.
We considered Mr.. ELLErs arguments to prove
that the water in the canal Is wholesome, were
satisfactory, certainly to the most fastdsous, tG
the point above the penitentiary pond. And We
had supposed that his only difficulty was to satisfy
the Council aud the public as to his mode Of
flsTdtion But it ia evident that we are to have a
mass of prejudice aroused as to the whole plan
and that it will be an uphill business to remove it
A few dead dogs aud cats, and the pumping Of
ship in the canal, which our respected correspon-
dent I'D" has thrown into the discussion, will
carry immense weight against the canal supply in
the popular mind But does It not apply with still
greater force to the propositions of both the
schemes presented for the elevation of pumping
apparatus to the canal at the pump house, and
the drawing of supply from it there, with the
added expense of pumping and water rents for
the propeliing force? If Mr.. ELLET must be shut
off from the canal, so must Messrs. GILL and DA-
WIS., and what must be the next RESORT
This drainage and sewerage that is so revolving
to some when the canal is introduced, has also
started question with regard to Messrs GILL and
DAVIS scheme. They claim for their new reservoir
that will be the receptacle of 100000 gallons of
water per annum from surface drainage, and it
has been alleged that much of this surface drains
age will involve Impurities frem ravines leading
into it. We do not understand the exact location
of their proposed reservoir, and know not with
what justice the objection is raised.
We suppose there is no difference in the objects
all desire to accompish-a good and sufficient sup
ply of pure water for the city. In some way or
other, we hope this is soon to be accomplished
The question should be deliberately examined
without prejudice, and decided calmly and wisely.
If we can keep cool on any subject, it should be
certainly that about Hater