The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-02-21
Tho Columbia Canal and the Congaree
River.

Senator E. s. J. Hayes, inviting such of
the citizens as feel interested on the sub
ject of the Columbia Canal, to meet a
committee OF the General Assembly, to
debate and advise upon the expediency
of the location of the dam at a point
just below the State Penitentiary. Col.
Pearce, partner of the Spragues in the
Columbia Water Power Company, and
their agent here. has bill now before
the General Assembly, granting the
company the privilege of locating the
dam as they desire; and the committee
to whom the bill has been referred, deem
it best to hold counsel with the citizens
OF Columbia before deciding upon their
report. This course adopted by the
committee merits our highest commend
alton. 1t is both wise and just. Much
evil legislation might have been pre-
vented, had such custom prevailed in
the past,
Upon the subject of the canal, our
views have been frequently expressed.
We have reason to believe that the
Spragues are in earnest, and intend to
give US a bona JSde development of our
great wator power, and we are in favor
OF lending them every encouragement
The benefit claimed for change of the
location of the dam from Geiger's Mill
to the Penitentiary, is that nearly double
the amount of power will be obtained
The principal objection urged against it,
is that it will tend to create malaria, and
thus seriously affect the healthfulness of
the city. On this latter point, Drs. Oar
| by, Talley, D. II. and G.. S. Trezevant
and Gibbes, express the opinion that
the sanitary condition of the city will
not be iujuriously affected. It is but
fair to state, however, that there is diff
ference of opinion on this question
two old an experienced physicians hold
ing opposite views to those mentioned
above. We publish communications
both pro and con. They are all from re-
liable and trustworthy sources. We
hope there will be full and free discus
sion before the committee to day-and
that the report will be framed in accord
ance with the wishes of the people; and
should there be doubt here, that the
matter will be submitted to vote of the
citizens.
SENATE CHAMBER February 20, 1872.
EDITOR DAILY PHGNIx: AS Chairman
Of the Special Committee Of the Senate,
to whom was referred hill to authorize
the Columbia Water Power Company to
construct dam across the Congareo
River ut Columbia, in order that the
Committee might have On expression OF
opinion from those Immediately inter
ested, caused n notice to be published,
inviting the citizens of Columbia to
meet III the Carolina Hall, tomorrow
"wednesday morning, at ii o'clock 1t
escaped my attention at the time that
the Court of Common Pleas is in ses-
sion, and consequently the hall is not
attalnable. Upon consultation with Mr..
Crews, OF the House Committee, we
have concluded to meet in the State Lii
brary Room, in the Capitol
[, therefore, respectfully request that
oil persons who favor, as we'll as those
who are opposed to the construction OF
the proposed dam, will meet at the place
indicated, at 10 o'clock tomorrow morn
ing. e. s. j. HAYES.
Chairman Special Committee of Senate.
Mr.. EDITOR: In addition to tho aues.
tion Of health, 1.-THE damming Of the
rivcr-is considered by many as huge
speculation, which will monopolize the
whole rivcr-shuttng out oil else-even
the use Of the Saluda and the valuable
water privilege on the Lexington side.
Looking to the antccedcnts of the par
tics asking for this great gift-said to be
worth as much as the Lowell water site,
millions Of dollars-are the citizens OF
Columbia willing to trust their comfort
and safety-for the city could not use a
drop OF water, without purchase, for cx-
tinguisLing fires or for household pnr-
poses-in the hands of these specula-
tors? 1t is u scheme to make the rich
richer, and orr poor State md city
poorer. If tho citizens understood the
various ramitications of this matter rs
projected, they would rise in their might
and settle tho question, "no dam" for
ever, and thereby assist to remedy the
costly contract to supply tho city with
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