The New York herald., 1877-09-07

the northern shore OF the Potomac, between ssorgo-
town and the Long Bridge and within = lew thousand
the Treasury, Navy, War and Agricultural
and Smithsonian Institution In this space debouch
street two aterals the terminus OF Nineteenth
street. The foul contents Of these empsied
vegetation growing thereon. These deposits rise and
fall with tho de and after The waor has receded
be seen boiling and seething over the surface. Add V
this the decomposition OF the enormous OF vege-
tation and picture OF horror s brought mind that
would make US doubt the Intelligent appreciation OF
community government that tolerate such
calamity. Everywhere We hear OF governments en-
gaged hcrocayin the sanitary rehabilitation OF such
!insaubrious ground Great efforts are being made
Italy In this direction; the government has appropri
ated many millions for the purpose, the patriotic
Garibadi himself being conspicuous leader in the
noble enterprise The marshes around Washington can
easily be reclained their proportions are not ormid
to render the problem doubtful But thcy constt-
tue nuisance OF long standing certain in ex.
tent ana danger II longer allowed to remain undis
turped Professor Maury, the eminent astronomer
and sccntst when many years ago, In charge Of the
Washington Observatory. was SO anxious about the
paluda emanatons OF this Hat lying ut the very foot
OF the hill upon which the Observatory erected,
that ne caused to bo planted many sunnowers fheii
anhus anntlss) the ground surrounding Il, upon
the theory thai their extraordinary absorbing power
would protect his home from tho invasion of the deadly
malaria.
REPORT OF A COMMISSION
A commission appointed by the President In
1872 composed Of engineers OF tho army the chef OF
tho coast survey, engineer OF public buildings and
grounds the Governor of tho District and several
prominent citizsns OF tho same. This commission
report together with maps ana plans; ana
tho mode OF abatement therein suggested Ia SO well
dgesIed as to render whatever the committee may
say the subject well nigh superhuoua Your com.
mee u satisfied that the plan thus presented Dy the
would be effective In abating the nuisance,
become prolific source Of revenue 70 the Dis.
trict treasury from the sale OF lands ana wnarInga
In addition 10 these advantages the channe OF the
river would be aeepened and greatly improved
thus securing together with an extended ana accese
bic wharfage, q commerce which would increase the
prosperity OF tho district to incaicuabe degree.
The report of this commission contains moreover very
comprehensive maps demonstrating the area OF lands
the depth OF water Of lagoons and channel and COM
pleto drafts OF the work proposed.
Tho Investigation Of the insanary influence Of these
marshes not now subject 10 the Board OF Health.
BY reference second annual report. submitted
Congress 1873 through the President OF the United
States, will be seon that this subject s treated at
longth, and tho abatement OF tho nuisance recon.
mended and urged IN the following worlds
Standing tho Long Bridge the view presented Is we'll
calculated revive tho memories OF the CamDagnR
Rome all sides to be vast undulatons OF
eaon evolving their noxious Creations to be inhaled W
the citizens o the city The disorders arising from this
source pregnant with evil that the energetic
should DO taken tor the abatement VI tho
nuisance.
As sanitarians have other interest than thai
OF relieving our growing and beautiful city from
source Of malaria that tends 10 dep0pulate It, We
therefore again plead Tor tho health Of people, and
pray that President Of the United States in hia
forthcoming message will invite the attention oil Con.
gress TO toe condtlon Of these lands that that
body will give due consideration to this impor
tant matter, and by appropriate legislation provide
some plan by which the evils existing may DO perma
nouty corrected. A