Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-02-24
An IMPORTANT IMPROVE
MENF
1 Water-pipe Oh Main Street.
It's Importance, and why
1t Should be put Down
at Once.

The many fires which our city has been
subjected TO for many years should give
The board of mayor and aldermen some
idea of what ought to be done in the
premises, and when some citizen offers
important benefits to the community,
they should give it that attention which
its importance entities it to. At the last
sitting a proposition was offered by
Messrs. Dunin & Bro, that il the city
wouldlay down a pipe along Main street
that would furnish the engine and give
such water as was necessary for fires and
hospital purposes free, and were ready to
resign their rights over the pipes at any
time the city would build water-works.
We lave examined the proposition care
fully and find that it is nothing but fair
and square. Messrs. Duf1in d Bro. are the
present proprietors of the water-tanks
on the bluff, and also ask from this
needed improvement the privilege of
having plugs at convenient distances TO
enable them to more easily water the
streets. 1t will be seen at once that the
laying down Of this pipe offers advan-
tages to both parties, but to the city,
especially, does it give the greater share
of interest. When the corporation lays
down this pipe on Main street, it will, OF
course, use one of such dimensions as
will be appropriate for the water-works,
and by this means will not only save
the money Of tearing up the pavement
that is to be placed along this thorough
tare, but will, on account of the
present state of the street, be able TO
lay it down at much more reasonable
rates, and the pipe will be ready for use
at any moment the city wants it. More
than this, if the pipe is laid down imme-
diately, it will more than pay for itself
before the water-works are in operation,
by furnishing water free to the city els
terms and to the city hospital, which at
present costs the corporation a very large
sum-. Moreover, the Messrs. Dufin
offer to furnish an engineer gratis during
the time that fires are going on, i'm order
that plenty of water may be furnished
the flremen and every person who has
lived in Memphis any time at all, knows
full well how much property has already
been destroyed for the want Of water "a
quench the flames. II has often been
the Ease that our firemen have pumped
the public eisterns dry, and then have
been forced TO tear down fences and
enter private cisterns. II a fire this day
was to occur in the central portion of the
city, OF any magnitude, our gallant fire.
men would be powerless after they had
| pumped the eisterns dry; but il this pipe
was laid down, the engine proposed could
furnish all the water necessary, until the
flames were extinguished. Messrs. Dur.
fn & Bro. propose to put up an engine
that will meet ali the requirements o.
any emergency, and their offer TO bind
/ Themselves to surrender their rights e
the CITY whenever it shall establish watel
works, lays them perfectly powerless {,
retain any bold on the improvement
whenever the city needs il. We havi
heen talked to about the matter by
large.number Of our most influential cit
izens. and have been requested to urgI
This matter upon our city fathers so often
that we have taken more interest in Tia.
premises than we should have otherwis
| done. Our experience teaches us that !
| should be laid down at once, and tia
! those OF u board who refuse tosanetiol
this important move are doing their con
stiiuents a gross injustice. There is n