The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-09-02

s.Ss..s -.
Mr. Sprague'a object in opening and
developing the Columbia Canal is not so
much to obtain q water power where
with to drive the cotton mills that he
may expect to erect himself, but it is to
developa great motive power where he
may be able to rent to many other
manufacturers 80 much power las they
may need for their separate interests.
He will have n fixed water rate or tax
for every one using water from this
Canal, and he may also charge ground
rent for every mill or enterprise erected
on its banks. This water tax is regulated
by the number of sqnare inches OF
water way, through which the water
may be taken to drive the machinery.
The city Of Columbia, at their own
proper expense, should erect, at n cost of
$4,000. a collecting reservoir ut the in
tersection of Pinckuey and Laurel
streets, where three branches come
together. The amount of water that
can be collected there will answer the
wants of q population of 10000 in
habitants. A turbine of the most i'm
proved construction, yielding the larges
amount of power, and expanding the
least Quantity of water, should be put
on the Cunal, to be driven by tho water
from it and connected by proper pumps
which shall take the water from this
collecting reservoir and send it up to the
city.
The amount Of this water tag should
not exceed the sum Of $3.50 per annum,
unless Mr.. Sprague expects to derive a
greater revenue from his improvements
than they receive ut Lowell and other
great water powers.
The cost OF putting up this turbine
with the pumps and necessary connect
ing pipes. with the existing line, should
not exceed the sum of S25, 900, to which
add the cost of collecting reservoir, say
$4,000, makes the total outlay amount to
$50, 600. All of which work can be done
within the space Of five months after Mr..
Sprague has power to let.
The cost of repairs in keeping this
wheel and pump in running order would
for every man who has ever had any ex-
perience with turbines are aware of the
simplicity of their construction, and of
their freedom from liability to become
deranged in their parts. They can be
managed by one man Of moderate inteli
gence, and can be run nt no other eX-
pense save that of sufficient quantity of
oil on their bearings.
With these facts in view, let the
supporters Of the city, in making this
onerous contract, figure up the cost to
the city. BY this plan, the Water Works,
ut the end of twenty years:
They Wilt find that for the outlay it will
Iequlie. 80. : 50 COO
interest on same twenty years....... a. 200
Cost OF repairs, 5000 per year, twenty
Labor twenty years, at 50, 900. o 10000 10000
Water tax, allowing $1,000 per year. 10000
sl36, 200
Contract twenty years, at SIG, 900. $500, 900
Leaving a balance of S1S3, 300 in favor of
my plan, besides the city having control
OF her own works, and the prospect of
no forfeits to pay. L also claim for nv
plan that it will cost less than tho pre-
sent expensive mode of procuring water,
and that larger quantity can be sup
piled than is now being DONE
[ have expended moro time on this
subject, MIR. Editor, than first intended,
but have been called to this task, first,
by sense of the great injustice of such
contract, knowing that the Same great
good could be accomplished by mode
rate expenditure of money; and, again,
by the earnest solicitations of prominent
men of both parties to exhibit some
figures concerning the costs of water
works and water motors.
With no desire to enter into contro-
versy or invoke the displeasure of any
one, have fortified myself with the
proper data to verify all that I have said.
On the contrary. if Mr.. Sprague should
commence his work on the Canal, I
would gladly accept situation under
him, and expend my energies in assist
ing to develop this great project fraught
with SO much Of promise to our city.
ALEX. Y. LEE,
Civil and Hydraulic Engineer.