Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-07
The Rise in the Potomac.

The Rise in the Potomac.
LATEST FROM HARPERs FERRY-NO FEARS OF A
SERIOUS FREsHRT - FACTS ABOUT PREVIOUS
FLOODS
telegram was received at the signal ofice at
eight O'Clock this morning from Harper's Ferry,
reporting three feet rise over night making 12 feet
above low water mark; small quantity OF ice run
ming. At 1925 report was received from that point
stating that the water was thirteen feet above low
water mark and was still rising slowly. No dan
ger was anticipated at Harpers Ferry without very
heavy rains.
AS COMPARED WITH THE BIG FLOOD OF 1877,
the height of the water at Harpers Ferry to-day is
seventeen feet below the height at that time and,
reasoning from this fact, it is thought by the
officers at the signal Office that similar freshet
can only be caused by unusually heavy rains.
Very heavy rains have fallen on the other side OF
the mountains. thus causing the heavy rise in the
Oh1o, but comparatively little rain has fallen on
this side. There Is apt to be rainy weather here
for day or two, but heavy fall Is not expected,
there will doubtless be a considerable rise 1r the
river. The flood of 1877 is the highest that ever
fe1fed bfbf here according to Engineer and
standard IN making predictions.
THE FREsHET OF 1881.
In 1881 the water backed up into the city on
account OF the ice gorge at the Long BRIDGE but the
river proper was not as high as in 1877 1t is
thought at the signal Office that the action Of the
Commissioners in clearing the channel of ice will
prevent gorge similar to that of 1891 Reports
from the river front to-day state that the water is
rising slowly but that the ice is running out with
out any obstruction No report was received at the
signal Office this morning from Great Falls.
The signal service corps at Harper's Ferry report
at 1920 p m four inch rise since last report. Ice
StiA running.
river since yesterday, but there is rofeign OF a
great rise OF water nor Of an ice gorge
The Capitol Terraces and Stairways.
DEBATE IN TIE SENATE ON THE BILL ApPRo-
MORRILL, WARMLY ADVOCATES THE OLMsTEAD
PLAN, AND AR. INGALLS, CRITICHES IT-OTHER
VIEWS.
The Senate yesterday afternoon, as stated in
THE STAR, passed the bill appropriating SIT, ,5Ss9e,
or so much thereof as may be necessary for the
construction OF the terraces along the north south
and west fronts OF the Capitol, and for the two
grand stairways at the western front al the head
OF PENNSYLVANIA and Maryland avenues; the sane
to be erected in accordance with the plans Of
Frederick Law Omstead.
ADVANTAGES OF THE ndPRovEMENN
During the debate on the bill, MI. Morrin said
that the proposed work would add immeasurably
to the appearance and convenience OF the Capitol.
Besides giving to the entire structure an appear
ance Of massiveness in keeping with its proper
tions, the proposed Improvement would add ten
commodious committee rooms. In addition ont there
will be large number Of basement rooms for stor-
age. An underground railway will traverse the
may be reached and filed with coal Documents or
whatever may be necessary without any inter-
ference Win Lne general business Mr.. MOrrtu
said he would print, as a portion Of his remarks
an interview with the architect, explaining the
Improvements [referrng to THE STAR interview
with Mr. Olmstead] and he asked an immediate
vote.
MIR. Van Wyck asked how much the work so far
done had cost.
Mr Morrill, replied about $4,000. and said tha
though not more than half the appropriation cOns
tained in the bill would be needed this year, the
appropriation OF the whole would facilitate the
making OF contracts.
MR. INGALLS, CRITICISEs THE WORK ArRrADY DONE
Mr.. ingalls, suggested that the ''interv1ew, {"
and anything else throwing light upon the work
had better be read at once before voting on
the bill In his opinion the progress OF the work,
MI Morrill, that 1t would be cOmpleted1n two years
Any additional committee rooms would be in the
subterranean portion OF the Capitol and not ft for
human habitatiOn Mr. ingalls, then criticised gen.
orally the work already done He said the work on
the north side of the Capitol was more like canal
than an approach that the paving is low, and when
already cracked, and that the coping Is not well
done. In connection with the subject he suggested
the speedy removal OF the
'INCONGRUous GROUP OF sTATUARY"
at the western entrance to the grounds. He said
| that sorrow is secluded; men do not 60 into the
market place to weep, and the group ought to be
removed to some adjacent cemetery. II would be
appropriate on some grassy plain surrounded by
tol, surrounded by beer shops and boarding houses
ii was an o1enSe to good taste
Mr.. morrill, said that perhaps the group was as
offensive to his taste as to that OF Mr. ingalls,, but
It's removal had nothing to do with the pending
bill.
Mr.. voorhees, asked Mr. Morrill, IL he would ac-
cept an amendment to remove the group.
Mr. MOrrill replied that such an amendment
would be out OF place, and while he would willingly
vote to remove the group he did not want that put
in his present bill. The bill was passed, but the
expression OF sentiment In the Senate indicated
~ 20 ssd
located there by the admiral OF the navy.