, 1865-01-15

Edltor1 chicago If1hancs =
have latcly seen much said In the TRIBUNE
about The filthy condition Of your river, and
soycral projects have been discussed for tho
correction Of the evil. It is we'll that your
citizens are beginning to feel alarm on tho
subject Tho recurrence Of another year such
as 1856, would produce M epidemic moro dcs.
olating perhaps than my visitation your city
hns ever yet been afflicted with. It seems to
nc, in view Of tho cnortnity Of the evil, the
opinion prevails that tho correction must be
found in some magnificent undertaking,
Involving IN outlay Of millions to accomplish
the desired end. There IL m old adago that
Tin multitude Of council there Is safuty."
Acting upon this truism, will you allow mo
T. present some no IN the rFese1,tas ,ss
that the cause producing the present condi.
ton Of the river is the result Of tho accnmu-
lation Of the deposits Of NTH for period Of
twelve or fifteen years. This dlth Ia, no
doubt, attached to the bed Of the river tn
masses, partialty covered BY tho sediment
surfacc, und this pntrid mass is undergoing
gradual decomposition, and, mixing with the
water, ia brought 70 the surthee, producing
!. its dlscoloration and the offensive odor ex-
perfcaccd by all In the evlcinity Of the stream.
The plan proposed, Of pumping la1ge quanti-
Ties Ql FNtEF lutO tuE IAfEE NQulN NV ENI11OfE
tle cause, although 1t would. to some extent
lessen til dangerous. effects, merely BY dis
trFjutlng the poison In 1argcr body Of wa
ter think any re1ectiES mind must be
satisfied that the causes arc rs l hare stated
therH for II the filth did. not attach to
sluggish one, would gradually work 1t down
to the lake. Ny opinion is thes the greatest
volume Of water that could be discharged By
pump into tho rircr, would d very little
IN producing q cmrent at the bottom snfic-
INT 10 accomplish any good. The water 50
sistance was to b. overcome, which would be
found at md: near the surface. l contend,
then, that the agent TO be employed success-
ful1y. must descend to the bottom and come
IN Immediate contact with tho deposits Of
tllth to dlsepgage them, stirring @ It sp = ana q
would {being suspended In the water) Aoat
slowly to the lake. To do this would use
the rake, and the idea Of raking d 1niry
bed Of some I've miles in lc1gth
yatt b one no @.x t#o to hndEsa seae saFas IN
ridiculous, yet I am entirely convinced t.,at
/ it is practicable and would etIcctually accon1-
plish the desired end.-that Of removing The
impurities Of the river to tho lake. Let It
not be supposed that Iwopld use o garden
bnt one constructed expressly for the pur:
| pose. It should be made very strong and
| weigh some 2 1000 pounde,. having drag Of
| perhaps twenty 10 thirty feet, and this I
would attach to one Of your tugs having 9
beam projecting over the stern with pnliy
in the end, through which. q rope or chain
| would pass being attached to.the head of the
| rake With the other end fastened to wind
lass or cnpstan on board, for the purpose Of
raising the rake over any tmmoTable obstruc-
| pipes, etc., and also, when taking tho tug up
| stream to renew tho drag: The bottom Of
the river being clay would he very suitable
for the operation Of the nike, aud the 1ocali-
ty Of any fixed distractions would soon be
sscct taincd and avoided. would, however,
answer as. IN anchor II it became
foulcd relieving 1t by raising Il With tile wind
lass on board. And until: the nature
| Of the river bed was nsccrtainca n modeFate
| rite of speed by the lug would be observed,
pelhaps little more thnn the impetus gtven
Editor, is partial outline Of my plan. ]
have the most entire confidence in Its sufn-
cheney to remove NIL the fllt1i In your river to
The Lake, when 1T would bc properly disposed
OF bT the wind md waves. I an Of opinion
10 tow work nigEi i 5 and day Would clear section
Of ono mile Of the river each month, md as
many tugs MS can bo provided might bc em
ploycd with equal results. The rakos would
cost perhaps 800 each, and would be tlt
= Clltl cNpCuhE III pEt&'hEAlE tAc tuEo Aoi NOih
don't SEC why this much.drcnded ovll 1naJ
not be removed md rendered harmless bcfort
tho sultry part Of thu next season co1nc'
round. Your tugs could be employed tnrct
or four moatlls bcforc tl,cy would bo required
for their Legitimate towing purposes. u.
january gr1865.
ANOTHER LETTER ON TIE RIVER.
Cn'cAuo, Jim. Q, 1866.
Editors Chicago Tslbunc:-I Iinvo n
Gently notleed in the city rarots eoycral plan
In 1clotlon to tho abatement Of tho nuisance
or Chicngo River. / have ono, and II yo
think 1t worthy, you Inuy, submit tt to tn
consideration Of tho City Fathers.
II is this: 10 build n dixie or wall on
along the heacl, Of thu lnke Of watcr.lim
nnd stone,t with the foundation lain In th'
clny, und rs ligll us Tic east aud north.cas
winds would throw tho water over in til
hcasicst gales, and then from tho hcua an
basin thus formed, cut canals acroRs to th
North and South Branches, nnd by means {
. locks food out the river when the lako wa
tho lowest on this shore. ID. est
When NC have hud strong west wind q do
| ~ t.s-a