Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-10-22

tien, in reference TO the removsl of sediment,
by inserting " by the contractor Agreed 20.
MT. Moore stated that the corporation had
not authority 10 met the expense by laying
special tax, as proposed. He was IN favor ot
the dredging, but it could not be done in this
way
meet the expense
Mr.. Moore SAID /. mus. be done ont Of he
renerai fund. He also tDonght the work oaght
10 be thrown open 20 competitioD- and given 20
the Lowest bidder. Mr " ise was good man,
and could be relied or, bat he though, th.t
would be the best way. lie also s,atad that he
did not like The idea Of filling up par OF the
western basin, now used water reseT voir,
leciion on that account, SO ha had no. 1ns lite
with Mr. " ise nor any one else. and did not
know the reasons for he deposit o! sed men:
III the place proposed
Mr. Moves said that by cleaning the canal
room would be afforded there for the same
amoun; of water displaced by filing up tie
marsh in question; to say nothing Of the ad-
van tages i'll a sanitary point Of we " of fiiiIng
up his alaTial district
Mr. Richards said the subject was mos.
i'm portant one, and required careful invesii-
with il. and acticn should be carefully con sd
cred He had COZ idence in MIR. Wise, bnt -hs
plans suggested for the improvement Of tha
canal ccntlicted with each other, and he was
not satisfied as to which was the best. One
plan was TO have a flow of water through IN
canal and SO keep il clean. Mr. Wise proposes
to cut off part OF the water area, and he pelieved
a plan had been mentioned to lead the water
from Rock Greek through the canal. We
should consult persons who know the priuci-
Pies OF hydraulics. and it might be we'll to have
the matter go over until Congress could be
asked TO help in the matter He favored post.
ponement and further Investigation, and sug-
gested referring the matter back to the com.
mittee.
MIR. Moves hoped that the bill would not be
recommitted but that something would be
done with the question speedily. So far the
principles OF hydraulics were concerned, we
had all the information we were likely to get
or TO need, in the different Investigations and
reports made. The report of Messrs. Cluss
and kamerhauber was ex xhaustive OF the whole
subject. The people were asking for acton
after ali this long delay.
ent tide. locks destroyed, as he understood had
been talked of.
Mr.. Noyes said it was not proposed to re-
move the locks in question. He understood
Mr.. Wise's views to be that the tide. locks
would be serviceable In directing the flow Of
water in one direction through the canal to
purify il, but that he did not believe that any
current OF water would serve the purpose OF
dredging the canal.
Mr.. Richards said in reference to the plan of
depositing the sediment IN the western basin
that it was valuable as fertilizer, and spoke
OF a recent article Ia city paper about the
value OF sewerage for agricultural purposes
Mr.. Noyes said that with the quantities Of
Government manure yet Oh sale at a low price
time before the farmers of lhe country would
be likely 10 trouble themselves to cart away
the canal gravel for manure.
Mr.. Given said he would give his vote on
sanitary grounds. We should give the subject
due consideration before taking action. He had
been in favor of leasing out this canal, believing
that as long as we have any right of propr-
etorship-if we have any, which is moo'et
point-the canal Will never be remunerative
10 this Corporation. The sheds and fences
along the canal were a nuisance, and the
rlx 10 (,l
purposes. but only as sewer. The river front
was the place for the business. There was a
lack OF enterprise i'll this city, which would
binder hains the canal or anything else from
money at five per cent. month. The
Board would remember the difficulty of
raising money for steamship line a short time
SINCE 1t was SO with every project except
shaving. Our business men were averse TO ex-
pending 500. unless they could see how they
would get $50 in return for it, and even
While we are burdened by such men
we can never be prosperous as a COM
mnnity or city. He was not prepared TO
Fourth Ward. (Mr. Moore,) he doubted our
power to levy this tax without authority of
Congress; and he agreed with his friend
from The Second Ward that Govern
ment should lend helping hand in making
the improvement Weshould have committee
10 confer with the Committee Of Congress.
lhe Government sewers drained into the
TINS matter, and incurrng floating or funded
debt OF one to Two hundred thousand dollars
He asked how was the money to be raised for
TINS Improvement, If it should be deemed de-
Mr. Noyes said he thought it rather dis.
graceful tor the Corporation to fold its arms
helplessly and say that i: can do nothing to
abate this canal nuisance Where there Is q
Will there was way, and II we are in earnest
in Wishing to clean out the canal we can "a ise
the money. For the credit Of the Corporation
no other way short Of dI adgipg it thoroughly,
and after that keeping II dredged, which could
be done st q small annual cost of about S4.OCU
we hrd "hesitated' aud ''pa~s ~sed" and "eon.
sidered" about Il long enough.
Mr.. Elvsps asked II we did not have pro.
position from business men who do not shave
to lease this work. To dispose of this work in
that way would have one good effect, and that
world be to take 1t out Of the arena OF politics,
at any rate he was not prepared to vote on the
matter at this time 80 l''..,
legal and other difficulties In the way Of giving
II 70 private company. So far as reponsible
names were concerned in private company,
the Corporation would have no guarantee that
tney would not assign their franchise to less
responsible parties.
Mr.. TAFT said he was opposed to letting the
canal 60 into private hands. He wa3 no proph-
ct, but II such disposition was made Of 1t, we
would have 4 continued accumulation Of trou-
bles and complaints about the sewers filling up
tbe canal, &c. 1t was an intolerable nuisance
atpresent, and the Corporation should prompt
iy go to work and clear 1t out.
Mr.. Turton moved an amendment to the first
section, for appointment OF competent en-
glneer, to be appointed by the Mayor, and con-
firmed by the Board Of Aldermen, as there
was no provision for any superintendence of
the work except by committees OF this Board,
who would not have time to attend to 1t.
Mr.. Nores said 1t was hardly necessary to
go o the expense OF an engineer to superln-
tepd the working Of a mud mechine.
Mr Turton said that we should not appro.
PIRATE e120.0Gt TO bs expended without any
perintendence, except that Of the contractor
himself.
Mr.. Noyes said the bill provided for SUPER
intendence by a committee Of the two I3ards.
The amendment was rejected by the follow
ing vote Yeas-Meesrs. Moore, Richards, and
Turt0n-3; nays. Messrs. .Elvans. Given, Grind.
er, Lloyd, McCathran. Noyes, Talbert. TAFT,
and President Barr)-9.
And the Board thereupon adjourned with
ont further action.
COMMON CoUNCIL.-President Dulin in the
chair, and all the members present.
a message was received from the Mayor an
his approval Of act for foorways on
west side OF 18th street, bet ween Rhode Island
avenue and T street; to grade and pave alley
In Square 583; and for flag footway at G street
soOth and 10sh street east. Also, one trans.
mttting report Of the apothecary Of the second
ward; referred. Also, communication OF
Sorveyor Bliss, estimating the cost OF grading,
and bridging 2lst street, from Penn
sylvania avenue TO Boundary street at 81, ,920.lO;
The following were presented: By Mr..
for the construction OF a
BY Mr. N b ,Clarke-Bin for footways on
p0st Aide Of nth streot. hotuuoan North ond