The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1880-12-10

EElor De,aaeras

bottoms to ill in, no rocks to blast out.
From every quarter tho town can be reached
by the outlying farms. The very gradual
ascent of the country from the river to tho
foothills has made it possible to bring to Al
bany tho waters of the Santiam, and more
useful and convenient water pSwsr could not
be found any where. Nature seoms to have
shaped our town site with especial reference
to the convenience of the water supply. The
only complaint that can be made is, that after
having done much, she did not do more, and
wash out not only the main channel in the
rear Of the city, but also trenches down every
street, instead Of leaving il for the water
company to ao Nature, however in such y
level country. cannot dig trenches, aud the
Linn eouaty farmers can complain as well as
our citizens.
| Since our town will not drain itself. and
we have given it a fair trial, it is about time
that we made up our mind to do it ourselves.
Water in its pure state cannot hurt any one,
and might benefit quito a number, but when
impure nothing is mere deadly to drink, or
unhealthy to use. Stagnant water with its
| filth and slime, becomes tho breeding place
of all malarial feyers II is claimed that ty-
phoid fever mover exists whore the water is
pure, and that in large majority of cases
malignant diphtheria is due to the same
causes. Where malaria is prevalent Almost
every disease takes a malarial type. and il is
an acknowledged fact that most of the cases
which come under the treatment Of our ply.
sicians are mixed with malariAl cOmpliea-
tions.
Can We be surprised at the presence OF
this baneiul influence in our midst. Nature
having left the drainage to us, as we'll ~ the
bringing Of water for power. has made a
drain on our pockets necessary, would We
meet the difficulty. The expense necessary
in our case however cannot be compared with
what is the common lot of towns but We
have not taken advantage Of the situation.
In our eagerness 20 get water power. We have
overlooked certain restrictions which should
have been required from any parties who
obtained the right OF way for such purpose.
They should have been compelled from tho
first to have their water courses at such
depths and in such places. rs would do the
least damage to property and aid rather than
hinder the drainage Of the town. 1t was =
matter Of surprise to tho writer from the
very first that property owners should be
willing to pay from fifty to one hundred del
lars TO fill in their lots, when ten dollars in
ditching would have made their lands far
drier, were there an outlet for the surplus
water but the present level Of the canal and
ITS branches will forever forbid any improve
ment in this direction. A cellar two or three
feet deep will lie an impessibility in most
places, and any extraordinary overflow will
make it necessary to call on .he fire eompan.
les TO empty those dug in more favored 10.
calities.
Bat this is one of the least Of our present
| troubles. Some miles out on the prairie the
canal Is cutting deeper into the channel. aud
the earth thus washed away Is deposited
where the current is not so swift. and these
shallow places are becoming shAllowsr every
day. This is the case where tho canal runs
through the city. and a slight increase in
| the amount OF water flowing ia the ditch,
overilows large numbers of lOts and blocks,
and in rainy weather so backs the water that
has no other outlet, that nan could go
boating in his back yard, and some portions
of the city are very good representations Of
Venice. This difficulty is increasing as the
canal ills up, and the sooner dealt with the
better.
| As this overflow is not regular aud in this
way gives the water LETT, as the canal returns
to its banks, an opportunity u become stag
nant, the unwholesome odor exhaled by the
drying ground warns the passsr by of the
danger TO health as we'll as Of damage 70
property. Those who have become aceus-
toned to things the way they are may not
notice this, but they would strike the obser.
walton OF an intelligent stranger at once.
How Is this state of things to be reHedisd +:
Two ways are open to the city. Either one
would answer for present purposes, whilr ia
course Of TINA should AlbaAy grow both y III
undoubtedly be used.
First, TO construct sewers from tive or three
points from the back OF the town to the river.
Second, To have the water company to
lower their canal to such depth that over
flow il impossible, and that the surface water
which floods our town can find an outlet in
the deepened trenches. The first plan could
never be very useful until the ditch is low.
through the city il floods the low lots, which
will be marshy and wet, aad no sewer woulG
. help them.
The writer hopes he will be excused then
for making the following suggestions, whicl
he hopes will provoke thorough discussion
! of the matter. and that public action will b.
taken as soon as possible.
In view of the danger to health and dam
age to property, where the canal runs thrOugl
the city, the owners should be compelled t
lower the channel from three to five feet q
need shall require, in the rear Of the town
while as they approach the river front in OF
der not to lose the head of water on whic
SO much power depends, the bitches nee
not be so much deepened, provided this wi
g not compel the water to run up hill.
As the deepened trenches could be use
by property owners in place Of sewers, i
view of the great expense involved, and tn
direct beueft to property, that the city bsa
a portion of the expense, III fair prOPortio
to the advantage gained by good drainage.
Yours truly,
ROBERT l.. STEVENS.
United states District Court.