Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-08-10
Water.

importance would noeH no agitation III
our miist--thut the necessity Of
better water supply would only have
to be mentioned to be secured Sey-
eral controlling considerations con-
cur in this supnositioM, mentioned
previously in this column. but SO far
10 movement has been projected. hav
ing for It's object the greatest material
provision demanded by the citizens OF
Frostburg.
We refer to the subject, not that
We have anything Few to say, but 10
keep it energetically before the reo-
pie. The steadily diminishing vol
ume. and the shallow reservoir, both
tell of the increased demand produced
,bv a dry term and should be the most
effective reminders of our duty How
long this heated season is to last pnne
can tell ; it may reach far INTO the
autumn months Meanwhile, our
people will have abandoned an ex-
hausted reservoir, to make heavy
draughts upon the limited number Of
wells and cisterns in town.
Under circumstances like these, ev
erything consplres to lnJure general
health. To the dry, heated atmosphere
is added the impurity Of water, oc-
,casioned by its reduction below It's
;proper level There is NOT a we'll or
.cstern in town the dress of which
ave are willing to drink, Vet our APP
at4x, is reducing us to that necessity
every day. How long the sick
list amt death-rate may be held with
in bounds, depends more upon fate
than upon anything we have done.
Nearly every fire is promoted by
a favorable breeze Should such an
one obtain healwav in Frostburg, its
property assessment, now over
million, would ,tonple to the thousands
in a few hours, with still nothing to
stay the tide of destruction 1t is not
unsafe so assert that Frostburg is night
ly standing upon the verge OF rum.
Sparks, famed by unpropitious breez-
es, have widened and spread into de-
structive conhagraticns, with less com
bustible material and better means Of
arrest. What the result might be in
our case may be exaggerated. At any
rate, it would be serious enough to
awaken people to the Importance Of 4
matter, only when it is too late.
We do not find fault with our Coun
ell. They can do nothing without the
cooperation of the citizens. Ihs
they at one time sought, but the prop
osition to confer together fell still born
at the Mayors feet His dead effort
is buried, and he will not be blamed
if he never attempts its resurrection
Still, no mans energy should slacs;
in obtaining the success Of q measure
vital to our safety against discomfort,
disease and fire.
We are assured chat arrangements
can be effected bv which we can OBJ
tain 9 letter water supply. They
may be Gu conditions and terms par
TALLY objectionable, but we are liable
TO do worse The town should own
the water-works. Scarcely q city,
or town, of any size, anywhere, per
mits the possession of Waterworks by
private companies. The water belongs
to the people, and they should, ifpos-
sihle, Own the works
The responsibility of our water dea-
ttutiea is not softened by the excuse
that an adequate supply is not avalla-
bic. The shadow of such q EreteXt
does not exist We have an abund-
ance within access and the RESPONSE
bility is enhanced AZ thu access :s
generally demonstrated easy" On
whose shoulders does it rest? Not
on those of the masses, but upon those
leading, wealthy citizens-whose
property and interests are mostly at
stake. These have the pecu,iary
ability and influence to effect mate
rial, primary good to the entire towt.,
70 them the people look, as to those
who are both deeply interested and
we'll qualified to lead in this matter
Indeed it is scarcely proper any 9TH
ers should take the initiative Gen
tlemen, it is your privilege and your
duty to assist the people Of Frostburg
in securing a need essential to mutual
satisfy will YOU DO it?