Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-06-14
Water for Montpelier Village.

Water and Water w Orks IN and Tor the VII
lage? | may be as far in advance of the times
in the matter as some of my Banking friends
thought, after lime, was in regard to Bark
Ing here. But it will do no hurt 10 talk about
the matter the necessity soon Of a more reli-
able and larger supply Of water than we now
have may thereby be apparent.
In the first place, it may be well to recall
the fact, that last summer most every family
was without, or, at least, very short OF, water
for several weeks. Complaints were general
throughout the village. Springs that never
before failed, failed, and many that supplied
before several families hardly supplied one.
We depend upon springs for water mostly
We have a few wells, but many Of them have
been abandoned of late years, the water spoil
ed for drinking and cooking purposes by being
impregnatod with the filth and dirt from our
out houses, barns and streets. These small
springs, on our hills, upon which most all de-
pend for water, cannot be depended upon in
the future, for a full supply, at least, for many
reasons. In the first place, we want more wa
ter than formerly, and these small springs have
not surface enough draining into them, especi
ally to supply during dry time. Then, too,
our hills are destitute of trees. &C., to retain
water. The hills being bare, the ground bakes
hard on the surface, after few days sunshine f.;
then, when it rains, the water flows off instead
of soaking into the earth. We must bear in
mind that our springs HUe from without, and
not from within, the earth, and if we deprive
them and their territories of the power of re-
tenton and absorption, they must dry up
Even our best springs are not large enough for
all our wants Every one uses more water
than formerly; and furthermore, there are
more to use it. Water is a household Necessity
that can't be dispensed with, even for short
time, without making more trouble and incon
vonience than the prlvation Of anything else in
use. Going off to the neighbors with pail on
arm (perhaps two) day after day, for a month
begging for water, (say nothing of the carry
ing of it) is not the most agreeable thing to dc
in hot sultry weather.
Even in regard to getting water from the rive
for was ng-it is quite a journey now tC
places WI re we can get to the river, many 0
the old places being walled up; and as for CHS
terms, they are an unnecessary expense, if the
drinking water is soft, and there is enough Of it
word or two now in this matter for the
poor. They we have always. They too mus
have water. Their neighbors who formerly
could afford to be clever and allow them access
to their well, pump or ci8tern, are 'compeled tc
send them away empty. Now, if we had a
good supply of water brought into the village,
the State, for the use of the State House, could
well afford to pay two hundred dollars a yeal
rent, and the village as much more for the priv
ilege of having water handy by in case of fire
and in hot, dusty weather to sprinkle the streets
and Tor the benefit of the poor, by having n.y.
drants at the intersections of the streets There
are u hundred now who would take water, and
pay from four to eight dollars per year, &c,
cording to the amount used; and year after
year others because their springs were made
quatc, and for the sake of haUing water enough,
and certain at all times-would be added to the
number; and in time, the whole village Gin a
great measure) would depend upon this supply.
Now two important questions arise Where
can this supply be had from, and where is the
money to bring it here? These questions are
easily answered, especially the first one. The
second will depend more upon the men who take
hold of it than upon the rant Of money.
There is glorious largo spring on the
Elias Snow farm. The water that constantly
flows from it, | am told, will fill four-incb
pipe-three inch certain. The spring is Won
dertul one. 1t forms large brook immed-
ately, and for forty years has flowed, at all
times of the year, without apparent increase or
diminution. The supply of water from 1t
would no doubt be sufficient at all seasons es.
pecially with reservoir. Then again, there is
that large clear brook from Berlin Pond, about
the same distance off that the spring is. This
stream would be perfectly reliable SUPPLY
Twelve thousand dollars will bring the water
through our streets from either place, if we do
it ourselves, and have no Gas Works perlor-
nance about it. We have the men amongst us
who can do it up right and cheap, and the in
yestment would be good one to stock holders,
in few years, at least. Now is good time
to think the matter over, the weather is hot and
dry, and the springs low. CDR.
A TROUBLED MAN-The lates seem to be
against Douglas with "a vengeance. Amidst
the unpleasant action of the Charleston Con-
vention, and the terrible war which his party
leaders are making upon him, he is seized with
a severe affection of his throat, which is con6n-
ing him to his house, during which his daugh-
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