The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-04-14

visory council in all that concerns the public
health; but its recommendations have not
been duly needed by those to whom 1t be.
longs to decide and to net; and our entire
provision In the way OF free ,eater for man
and beast is limited to a public hydrant with
trough attacied) at each Of the two markets,
and one for the benefit Of the street-car
horses ut the corner Of Main and Twenty
eighth streets. 4 fountain which was pre-.
SeDtcd by the pupils of the colored normal
school. and placed In front Of tue post.oftice,
Is now quite crippled and useless. Very diff
ferent Is the policy pursued with respect to
gas. 1t is regarded as one of the chief du.
ties Of the municipal government to see that
the streets are properly lighted with gas 10
the farthest limits of the city. Each house.
holder pays for the gas which is consumed
OH his premises, and In consideration of the
revenue thus accruing to the city, not only
he, but every inhabitant-even those who
pay nothing for gas-are held to be entitled
to the additional benefit Of well-lighted
streets.
Is there any good reason why a system sc
radically different should prevail with re.
gard to water? Is it that the water-supply
Is insufficient to allow to every person and
every animal in the city enough water for
the most important and vital Of all the uses
it sulServcsy If so, let the water-supply be
increased without delay, and at whatever
c,st, SO that al. may have at least enough to
drink, at all times, and erer.ytrhere. 1t needs
no argument to prove that abundance oa
water is far more essential to the health and
comfort OF u population than abundance OF
gaS-tampS. 1t can hardly be the expense OF
public hvdrants that is feared; for, as al
ready shown, this would be quite insignitl
can't in comparison with the benefits TO be
attalned. 1t is considered necessary and
proper" to furnish water at the common
cost for the cXtinguishment of fires, and for
hushing out the cutters and sewers Of the
city when needful; then, why not for other
uses equally important? 4.
There is, another aspect Of this question
which must not be left out of view. Many
people in Richmond are too poor to pay
water rents, and 4 considerable proportion
Of this class obtain their whole supply of
wafer from wells Now, the water Of many
Of these wells is impregnated with so much
mineral matter as To be rendered very un-
suitable either for drinking or washing ; and,
what is far more important, it is undoubtedly
often tainted by filtration from privies, sta.
bles, and other sources of impurity, being
thereby rendered unwholesomc. Details
might be given on this subject if had space
at command. The use of such impure water
ought to be discouraged by affordiBg 10 the
people in question free access to public
hvdrantS, whence they nmy obtain IN ample
supply of river water. Such Il measure Of
kindness to them will occasion no loss to the
city treasury, rs they pay no water rents at
present. As to the possible danger of the
revenue from water rents being diminished
hy advantage being taken Of the public
hydrants by persons able TO pay, there is Hit
Tie doubt that properly framed ordinance,
| with due vigilance on the part Of the police,
would prevent any serious loss from this
source.
ABOUT DETAILS.
The number. location, aud particular form
and construction of these convenienceS are
matters of detail, to be settled by the proper
authorities-viz., the Board of Health apC
the Watering Committee Of the Council
Oniy let there be enough, and let them bt
placed at the points where they are mos
needed and will do most good.
may remark, in conclusion, that the con
Sitlcrations here presented. willie specially
referring to the necessities of our own city
are more or less applicable to every city ant
town in the State, whatever the source ant
character of its water.suppy, which fails tt
furnish on its public thorou@ @biareS suffi
Cheney Of water for the common outdoor
Use of its citizens.
l.. 5. JoYNEs, n. D.,
Secretary of the State Board Of Health.
Richmond, April 8, 1873.