Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-07-27
THE LATE FLOOD INBaLrIMoRE.

The sad story OF ruin and desClatIon. caused
by the unprecedented food in Baltimore and
Its vicinity, on Friday last. OF which we give
further particulars IN our paper to-day. is a
striking revelation OF the peril and disaster
which n few hours may bTiag TO property and
life IN city traversed, as that is, by a stream
like Jones's falls. This stream. coming from
the billy country TO the northwest, runs for
miles on its winding course through the very
centre and heart Of Bali more. from its north
western TO its southwestern limits, and when
ever the narrow banks are swollen by sudden
fTeshets, becomes incapable OF retaining its
boundaries, and widens out IN the Low lands
into the small lakes, subInerging the cellars of
stores and dwellings, whilst some OF the streets
m It's neighborhood are converted into rivers,
with water enough in places 10 float schooners
and steamboats,. Almost yearly there are oc-
CasiOnal disasters. though to no very consId-
cradle extent, from this cause, but the late ca
lamity was probably unprecedented, and with
out any approach to a parallel. unless it was
the flood of 1N37. The loss of property then
was estimated al S2,OOO,0OO, and twenty
people We're drowned. This food has
been still more disastrous, and the Bal
i1more papers are considering what
remedy can be applied to arrest such calamites
IN future. Some suggest q change in the chan
mel Of the falls. to carry il out of the city,
az into Gwynn's Falls or Herring Run-eIther
Of which plans would involve the long delay
necessary To State and city legislation, and an
enormous expenditure To pay, in addition to
the cost of the work, for the condemnation of
lands and Of water and mill rights II is also
urged by correspondent OF the Sun that the
city should condemn all property lying on the
west side of the falls from North avenue to its
mouth, and make the channel or bed OF the falls
20 take the width OF West Fails avenue and Har.
Tlson street between the points named. This
plan, however, involve the actual necessity for
AZ elevated levee on the west side, without open
Incs for sewerage, TO make 1t effective, and
tue lifting of bridges above the streets on the
same side, which would render them imprac-
ncahle, unless the low grounds were also filed
up The Svr recon mends rs the most feasible
plan. TO cut a more direct route from the point
near where the stream enters the city 10 the
upper portlon Of the basin, on the IN CHER
grounds which intervene, TINS placing the
bridges AZ q better height above the water
This would involve, Of course-as will any
Plan indeed. for change IN the course of the
Stresm-large costs FOR condemnation, but the
present bed of the stream would b. gained for
building purposes, and facilities Tor ordinary
sewerage be retained.
The suffering in Baltimore and its vicinity
lD Consequence OF Inc loss OF lie AID prOp-Tty.
calls loudly for relief. Not only lives have
been lost on which others were dependent for
support, but the only and whole effects OF
many are sweptaway- Relief will have TO b..
afforded TO the uecessItous there as well Is AZ
Elhcott City and the other points of damage
along the PatapscO; and the condition of tn.
sufferers is promptly engaging the attention of
those abroad with view to affordIng rel.e,
In New York the subject is engaging atren-
ton. and in Philadelphia subscription list
has BEEN started and Is headed by Mr. ChIlds
OF the Ledger newspaper, with gift OF
Sl,OCO. The dead, the drowned mothers and
helpless children The narrowing story OF whose
fearful deaths We have recorded. will have
many mourre-s. In every household where
the touching recital OF their sad fate shall come
tears OF truest Pity and sympathy will be shed.
All this Is right and BETTING, but mere synpa-
thetic feeling Is Of little worth unless accom-
panied by active deeds OF love and charity
We earnestly hope thar in this instance the Cit
zeDs of Washington will not come short OF the
full measures of their wonted IIberaIi w: and
thai all who have the means Will do sorIe-
thing TO relieve the suff,rings and want OF those
who stand in im mediate need OF aId