Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-09-30

proyrments tontrmpIated-The Nichol.
son Pavrment-Patch-work Sidewalks
'hicaso INTERPRETATIONS CHECK
Editorial Correspondence of the start
SHERMAN HOUSE,
CHICAGo- September 10, 156e.
Chicago does nothing BY halves and her new
park, designed TO rival the New York Central
Park, is 10 have artificial mountains thirty or
forty feet high. But meantime those who wish
10 see Chicago from a commanding position
climb 70 the dome of the Court House The
spiral stairway leading up the dome is much
frequented by the Children of the Prairie, who
clutch the hand-rail firmly, and vary their
dead-leyel experiences by looking out from an
awe and suolimity inspiring elevation dozens
Of feet above the surrounding PLAIN. 1t seems
to BE- favorte resort for counting couples. and
newly married couples-as are all dizzy ele-
yations-probably because the two sexes are
thus brought into their natural relations of
protector and protected. The protecting male
arm naturally and rightfulIy finds its way
round the female waist; and the betrothed of
Cook county are quite right in availing them
selves Of the privileges Of this giddy Chicago
height.
Bird's-eye View OF Chicago.
From the Court House dome the visitor gets
q good general idea Of the cIty-sees its mag
nificent side and its mean side. II stretches
along the Lake altogether some twelve miles
from Lake View to Hyde Park, but is only
about two miles IN depth. The city is divided
into three parts, known as the North, South and
West Divisions. These divisions are formed
by what is called the Chicago River, but which
is a river Only name, being nothing more
than currentless bayou, or inlet from the
Lake, in the shape of the letter Y, with its base
resting in the margin of the Lake, the stem ex.
tending some three quarters of a mile west
war;, and the arms spreading out north and
south and disappearing in the marshy soil
lew miles back. This inlet, thirty years ago
mere slough Of the Lake, crossed by canoes
and with sand-bar at its mouth, is now the
scene of the busiest activity probably to be seen
on the same extent OF water surface in the
world In fact, II seems impossible to crowd
more incessant and ssred hot" business activity
into the same space. The river, which by the
way Is, AT its widest, little wider than our ca.
nal IN Washington, and for the most mart is
much narrower, is literally crowded with
every variety of vessel, from the clumsy canal
boat TO the stately three-master, that sailing
from this river lands her cargo in Liverpool
without breaking bulk. These vessels are
being snaked along with railroad speed, up the
river, head-first, and down the river stern
hrst, (for there il not room for them 10 turn.)
by busy, snoring tugs, who thread their way
hither and thIther, making the most skillful
escapes for their lows from COL
Ildlng or getting into a lock with other vessels
Meantime there is a continuous footing of horns
andringing of bells, the first summouing the
bridge-keepers to open the bridges for the pas.
sage OF the vessels, and the latter being the
signal warning people of the bridges while
they are being opened. These draw.bridges-
sxaTra in 49,
crossings Of the principal streets. They are
in fact, though called draw
bridges, turning on the centre; and though
they are swung very readily by the two men
allotted to each bridge, yet in such rushIngly
busy city as Chicago, even a momentary inter-
rupuon Of the current OF street business causes
a Jam al each end OF the bridge that almost
halts hundreds of vehicles, and
crowds OF pedestrians in procession. Aud
v hen tug appears dragging a long train of
ten OF twenty vessels, threatening a consid-
cradle break in the bridge connection, il is
amusing 10 see the stampede made TO get 20 the
other side of the bridge before the bell is rung:
the signal for the bridge 70 commence its rev.
oiution- Passengers 10 the cars, business men
on their way 70 the bank, expressmen, and all
others with pressing business on hand are
liable to be ppt - the most serious lnconyeni.
Chicagoan with an important business engage
ment on hand allows al least one hour,s tins
Tor possible DELAY IN crossing this river. which
- 20 narrow that a biscuit may be flung across
IL Ihe nuisance Of these bridges has got 10 be
5 ueh an Intolerable one that the people OF CHI
cago nave initiated grand project for tunnel
ing the river al several points TO do away with
the bridges.
The Tunnel under Chicago River, kc
A tunnel is now being constructed on Wash
ingtCn street, and though the distance is small.
the nature OF the soil is such that the cost will
b. very heavy. The tunnel out in the lake two
and half miles 20 bring water 10 the city cost
only SSl5,OUO, contract price, while the tunnel
for the short distance under the river at Wash
ngton street Will b. over a million. The work
OF tunneling under the lake was very easy, As
IL was through a layer OF clay impervious to
the water from above.
With the enlarged ideas Of the Chicagoans in
every matter relating to the Improvement of
their eity-the great to be Central City OF the
Continent" the item Of s2O,OCO,UoO for tun.
L elm g the river at various points to get rid OF
the draw bridges is a mere bagatelIe.
Draining the City on a Grand Scale.
In the same large-minded way they are
blocking out the work of draining the city.
C-iNoeO' ues1u level, originally at
the highest point only about eight inches above
The lake, has been raised by successive changes
OF grade 10 an elevation about twelve feet above
he level OF the prairie. The sewage of the
ciiy has been heretofore directed TO the river
" hich. having hot partcle Of current save as
The wind gives little movement III one dlrac
lion CT the other, has become a cass-pooI OF
flth- The refuse and Cffal from the sIsnght.r
houses, and packing houses, also contribute 10
Tie foul contents OF This stream: which Is WILL
haken UP tor the benefit OF the nostriIs nv tha
uIaberless steamtugs and lake craft constantly
mo wing through The result is an almost in.
L lerable stencil, especially in the summer
months The home = sick Washingtoniau,
Standing on ore of the bridges and
looking down upon the filthy stream.
can readily imagine himself on the borders o
has own well membered canal But the Chi-
ragOuese are doing what We IN Washington are
~ doing. They have not only raised the whole
cary twelve feet, but As the sewage viii rot
run INTO the lake, and IL IL did would poison
Ire lake mont, they are going to maxi canal,
sud carry IL on ninety miles TO Ottawa, on the
Illinois river. That Is 10 say. the present ca
nal connecting Chica 90 with the ILLINOIS river
into which the water is now pumped by
sbsml IS TO be dsepened six feet, giving q cur
rent through the canal sufficient 10 carry the
nith OF the city far away TO seek an outlet in
the Mississippi. This will not only afford a