Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-07-08
Affairs in GNApseaAUm

Proposed POTOMAC WATER POWER Cox
PANf.-The immense water power OF the Po-
TOT. omas river, Just above this city ttss great
falls about thirty five feet in q few mttes,I has
hitherto only been partially available. The
dam at the Little Falls, four miles above here
was intended only TO supply water 70 feed the
lower level of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal,
and that work was Constructed without any
special view to the use Of the water for other
purposes than these Of navigation. Manufac-
tories have. however, been built along its
hanks, and the water now drives seven large
hourlng mills, one paper mill, one distiilery,
and the machinery for two Of the largest coal
docks il Georgetown. The work Is hardly OF
sufficient capacity at present to furnish water
foI sill these opposes, and when the Potomac
IS low, navigation in the canal is Distracted,
and operations in the mills suspended or re.
'arded With supply of water in the river,
which for all practical purposes may be con-
sidered unlimited, and needing only the ex-
rend,ture Of comparatively small sum to
make 1t available, and place Georgetown in
the front rank OF manufacturing cities, this
state of things ought not to continue. Large
cities have been built up IN the North with
not so good and available q supply of water,
and with not one tenth Of the natural adyan
tages Of Georgetown.
AT a meeting Of the prominent citizens at
the Merchants Exchange on Saturday (noticed
in the Star Of that day. the subject was funy
discussed and proposals for forming the Po-
tomac Water Power Company OF GEORGETOWN
ID. O., We're read and considered" Our fellow
from the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Com pany
OF the surplus Water-poWer on the George
town level OF said Canal, now existing ana to
be created by an Improvement Of the Feeder
and Dam No l of said Canal, at the Little
Falls OF the Potomac River, four miles above
here and upon the basis OF said water privi-
iege he proposes to organize a Water Power
Company, with view to develop the re-
sources and manufacturing industry of the
District OF Columbia, with capital stock Of
s:t000, I'm shares Of $780, with the privilege
nf n cl,,n fhn mn =
surveys and estimates have been made by
Messrs. Rives Il Myers, OWL Engineers, of
tie outlay necessary to make the first develop
ment of the said water. wer: and from them
it appears that by an expenditure of say
S6f ,G;H to begin with, an Immediate increase
OF about six thousand inches of surplus water
power can be obtained; and it is believed that
a S:ill further increase can be secured by pro-
portionaily small additional outlaws, from
time TO time, as an increased demand for tho
Water-power shall arise. r.
AT existing rates. the sales OF this Quantity
OF water will yield $4,000 bonus, and IS per
inch annually thereafter, which, to subscribers
a. fifty cents on the dollar, viii yield an inter,
est OF about IS per centum. But there is no
reason why the rates should not be made to
approximate more nearly to those of Lowell,
thereby yielding larger per centum on the
stock. Mr. Dodge therefore sollcits subscrp-
lions 10 the stock OF said company. and pro-
poses now 70 raise the OF S500OO, to ba
paid for by the sale OF S1o0,OGO of stock in said
company, at the rate OF fifty cents on the dol
fund OF The company for further improve
inrnts. The said S50,C00 are TO b. used in
making the said improvement. leaving the re-
naming SlD,uoo Of the estimated cost, il need
ed. 10 De Iaisea from sales OF part of the
SluO.GG0 Of stock reserved for the use and BEN
eff Of the company
aAN ExrLosIoN.--One evening last week our
citizens IN the vicinity of Bridge street west
OF Congress, were startled by the sound OF
loud report, as of a heavy explosion in that
neishborhood. Several houses shaken by the
pants, who stood not upon the order Of their
leaving, and u !allor who was at work in his
shop near by is said 10 have been seen directly
afterwards making hasty exit through the
back window. An investigation soon dis
closed the tact that worthy and popular citi-
Ecu, occupying judicial position III this COM
nunity, had in process of fermentation ten
gallons OF sscherry bounce" a mild sp;rituous
compound 10 which he is partial and which
be makes in perfection. Not remembering Pc
t.oieum '. Nashy's profound discourse on the
dangers of putting new wine into old bottles,
lie Gecanted the liquid from barrel into two
five-galon Gemiiohns, corking the same I'D
tightly, and the result was simultaneous
blowing up of the two vessels, with a report
like that g; six FOUNDER. Happily there was
no damage sustained other than the loss of the
demijohns and their contents, which is not ir-
reparabie, and the fright inflicted on nervous
people in the vicinity.
TEMPERANCE MEETITG.-A spirited tenn
perance meeting was held at the Butchers
Market yesterday afternoon. Addresses were
ofi'StACu ny ". CIalG ana MT. ROSS,
after which several came forward and signed
the pledge
MERCHANTS ExCHANGR.-But little bust
ness was transacted this morning; 200 bushels
OF new wheat was offered, but not sold.
FLOUR MARKET.-The -four market a, pres
eDt Is very unsettled. Superfine flour rules
from $40 to $3.50: extra from Sl2 to IA, and
other brands in proportion.
SHIPMENTs.-The Consolidation Company
shipped $50 tons OF coal to-day the Central
Company los tons; the Cumberland COMPANY
$50 tons, and the Borden Com pany 4sO tons.
PORT OF GEORGETOWN.-The steamer Ken.
nehec, Wilson, master, has arrived from Bal
tmore, and cleared tor her return.
SCHOOL ExAMINATION-Fema Primary
School No. :, taught by Mrs. M. J. Edmonson,
on Montgomery, between Bridge and Gay
streets, was examined this afternoon by Mr.
Libbey, Messrs Wilson and MCGEE being
present. The school numbers 60 scholars, all
OF whom were present but two, sick The ex-
animation was generally satisfactory, and
many of the parents OF the scholars were
present.