Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-31

prietors Throughout the entire distance no obsta-
Giles present themselves that should daunt the cOur
age or impede the movements of q community like
this. Want of space forbids more than bare refer
ence to the bouevards of Chicago and st. Louis,
of which, in their yet inchoate condition, we are
told by shrew Observers that they promise TO yield
returns to the public treasury far more than COM
mensurate with their exactions. In our own case,
it is only the adoption of the general plan,
and the location OF a route with its dedni-
tiOn by inefadicable meter and bounds, that
is advocated without compromise or equivOca-
ton. A route-while the land through which it
may extend its comparatively valEeiess, and its
definition so indeiby and plainly, that twO-thirds
of the area comprehended shall not, in the in
stance of Main street, be stolen by thieves in the
night. Construct it-Gtfer the 5igAt Of 3Cdy IS Sc
cared-when and as fast as you will, a loot, q rod,
or mile annually, as the popular exigency and favor
shall demand Accepting the prediction, however,
from the commission that the design when once en-
tered upon will so commend itself in execution as
to enlist the popular Impotence of results in be-
half of its immediate tcompletfon.
Had the plan of the commission been limited to
devising more faeile and agreeable way of access
to Lake Quinsigamoud, it would unquestionably
have met with more universal acceptance. The
wish to make that lively sheet of water Of easier re-
And yet, Tor that very reason, because the charms
o. this portion of the route will almost insure its
large upon the imperative necessity of the more
rural and secluded sections of the proposed
avenue. 1t is BY no means certain that the
beauties of the landscape disclosed by a suitable
the city almshouse, runs by the Sears, Chamber
lain, and Flagg farms, DETECTING southeasterly so
as to skirt the sparkling reservoir of the Messrs
Goes, would not take precedence even when forced
Into close competition with the attractions of the
Lake valley. Still, the lake occupies peculiar re-
laton to the entire project which challenges for it
brief consideration. The subioined extract from
their report for 1870 will yndcate the reputation of
the commissioners for ordinary prescience, showing
that whatever their deficiencies, they were at least
not blind to the signs of the times:-
n11
symmetry OF the design, Lake Qunsigamond should he
embraced within its scope THE eye of c0vetOusuess al
ready glnces at that beautiful sheet of water. 1t may
lie that the people of Worcester will consent to hold the
irest of their city at tue will OF upon saer-
ahce OF the capta but ii is not believed that
VIII pe prompted Dy any one VINO mas the
wit to tOresee in utitaran only the advantages
that would follow upon its undspuled control. The
opinion OF the commissioners is decided that he city of
Worcester should fobt1ln, from the great and general
jur power to occupy and possess Lake Qunsgamond
pr tle purposes OF pubic park, without prejudice TO
the ghis OF ripan Owne 5, whatever they may be. In
this way, il in no other, could the level OF its be
maintained attbeir average height thus preserving the
smooth and verdant banks which much enhance its
beauty Nor can any other method be devised, half
enectua 9 ioresaing future attempts TO divert The
water Of the lake for the supply OF metropolitan thrift
lessness and waste"
OF the soundness of the views, thus expressed
this commission is more than ever persuaded Lake
Quinsigamond has been acquired by us, so far as
title may be secured, through the agency OF pOpu-
lar vote cast under legislative sanction. But
whether it will be regarded as reduced to usutruct
or possession, in default of any action taken to U
lie its pelluc1d waters, may well be doubted Long
ages since, in the days of Asop, the dog-in-the-
manger performed his inglorious part 1t is not
likely that Worcester, in the nineteenth century,
can desire or would be suffered to emulate that
selfish example. Nevertheless the petition to the
general court, for sanction TO the taking, by the
of water from any source within fifty
(5O) miles, is precious because timely warning II
tells us, in unmistakeahle tones. that the talent
to us must not be hidden in n napkin
nor be buried in the earth 1t says, almost in so
many words: "You claim that you uIust have con-
troll of Lake QuinsigamOnd for the sake of its sup
ply OF water Take, then, and use it! If, however,
you fail to avail yourselves of this concession do
not complain at its possible resumption and grant
TO others"
This commission has no desire to magnify its
functions, nor to exceed the admitted limits of its
authority. But il would omit ne practicable meth
cd Of preserving Lake QuinSgdmond in its integri-
ty and to that end would again advise that its
recognition as the water park of Worcester be soc-
tied from the general court. Viewing that lake as
the one unrivalled natural charm of our landscape,
1t Is of opinion that the most eXpedient and feasible
way of retaining it IN Its present beauty Of de-
Veopng it to extreme perfection, is TO be found in
compelling it to minister to our urgent needs Pro-
Jects TO this effect abundant; to none of them
are the commissioners mechanicians enough to adj
here. Some would be content to try the simple
method of pumping by means of steam These are
conscious of the expense; but adduce by way of
set-OIthe quality of the result against quantity
which is all that can be pretended, and even that
with restrictions, of existing modes and appliances
Another and larger class comprising some of the
most Thoughtful aud practical among our citizens,
more than doubling the prudence of de-
pending exclusively upon a solitary source
and conduit, incline to favor the scheme of de-
irving any additional supply from the lake. CT the
lnsuperable difficulties mysteriousiy limited at by
those whose gaze is rlveted so closely to the setting
OF the sun behind the hills of Leicester that they
are blind to discern mis- rise "by Shrewsbury
Clock such shrewd men OF action make sport as
involving only the simplest problems in mechani-
cal engineering. Granted the force: what shall
prevent its operation? The boldest conception is
theirs, however, who, reminding US that the orig-
nal construction of the causeway cost less than
twenty thousand dollars (S20000), propose to add
fifteen twenty feet to its height, and thus retain
the augmented volume of water above the dam so
to furnish the requisite power for its own eeva-
tion and at the same time maintain the necessary
at the outlet, Any Inadequacy OF CRAWL
tation to lift to the proper height and distance they
would supplement with the forces Of wind and
steam, held in reserve for public EMPLOYMENT when
necessary, and leased for private occupation when
their auxiliary might be dispensed with. The an
nual outlay, under the most unpropiiOas
conditions, it is claimed, could hardly exceed
the expense of that most curious experiment at
New Worcester whereby it was seriously sought to
how, and in what proportions, chemical
and all manner of vegetable uncleanness could best
be assimtlated with the human system. This al
least would be gained ;-should such a work be un.
dertaken and prove successful of which its advo.
Gates allege that there need be no dlstrust;-the
possession, thencetorth unquestioned and indispat
able together with the uhWonted enjoyment of pure
water in abundance. 1t is understood that the engi
neers OF the metropolis propose to raise the dam ut
the outlet as to increase the volume of the lake by
at least ten feet IN perpendicular measure. The ee-
Yation OF the .causeway would thus appear to be
contemplated in more than one quarter If it is to
be undertaken, it may well be that the benefit
should be made to enure to Worcester wi min whose
territory the whole body Of the lake, at that point
IS ecmpreherded, The division into an upper and
lower lake, real then as is now apparent might be
turned to advantage in an aesthetic view, by so
planning the necessary additions to the causeway
the bald and infexihe outline of which is now 50
offensive, as to obtain harmonious and symmetrical
proportion while securing the strength that would
be "hSolutely essential.
EN- hattie but not Undue stress has been laid
in report, on the imperative necessity of in.
slslng upon the gratuitous concession of the right
OF way, to the city and its inhabitants so long n,
the proposed avenue shall be maintained Such
concession should be q fundamental condition nro.
cedent to the taking OF the first step by the cit,
looking towards the realization of the project
Equally indispensable is the requirement OF a Guit
claim conveyance to the municipality of all the anC
lying between the avenue as II may he located ap(
the water; or the execution OF an agreement he
tween all the parties in interest covenanting thai
no building ofany description whatsoever, snail be
erected suffered between the lake and the ayanu,
save appropriate and essential boat houses Tn,
avenue will be constructed II at ALL TOR the purpose
of developing the latent charms of the lake valley
and not for their Disagreement Should those
pleasant hillsides and sunny slopes become peopled
as they assuredly would the new settlers should be
made TO fee secure IN their possession of beauty
Wltnolt naw NO preclution can be wasted which
shall tend to preserve the integrity of fine seem
from tie devastating greed ofaminon
mere Is little reason to doubt that the innr-coi
legae regatta will hereafter resume its position a,
permanent feature among the IA cinations OF
Lake QuinsigamOnd, With us, that exhilaratine
and manly sport is at home as 1t can never be WITT
the Votarles OF the stable and race-course Ii is mo
sgnt tribute to its attractions that Lake Ouinsioa
lnond should be preferred, ont of all the charmino
sheets OF water in New England for the trial ami
decision OF this exciting ISSUE 1t may be attended
win annoyance and personal discomfort TO thos,
VINO nave the care OF preliminary preparation; bui
the immediate and contingent benefits whereof Il
Is fruitful TO the philosophical and reaectino
more IMAM an equivalent, We, too, with our sister
elties, can boast the rapid stallion and lusty bull
pub' over ana above them IL is our fortune To he
come tine modern Ellis, in which the flower of on
youtn annually contest the palm of pre-eminence ii
athleuc sports, beneath the approving smiles o
youth and beauty. Hitler is drawn the transienI
VISITOR, 10 be converted, if we are wise, into
, .ne permanent sojourner and resident Tho
pdIospertV OF every city is proportion
mat advance can best be scared by the broades
lsVelopment and fullest exhibition of our nnttira
adyanages, To cite again the former report OF In,
commission " ''''
once committed 10 the oxecu ion OF this proiecf tIe
ony one practicable for the immediate us We nj ult
,; convenience and alOrnmcnt Of tn CITY, ana /
lgpt no. pc und ne iesslry TO decline the mnnGcen
pLoHer OF lhnds by their generous owners And Ibqn
WIN the whole sch me fully accomplished With thi
WavrptIk, tlie consumnnte masterpiece oil niture AM
ln each the complement OF The other; our Glir eli
moi MINIMUM of its Olhe man fild bpauties bnt ~
Iut IN THESE because The result of It's later and matira,
ueveopment' may safely ntclpate the reward which l.
surely lneits VINO, enjoying advantages MAGNIFY tbrm
and ap3recuting opportunities im3riys them 80
Inc construction OF the avenue AMI the acquisition q