Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-09-06
THE LATE FLOODS.

Real Blessings In Disguise for Wheeling,
and Indirectly for the County.
To The Editor Of The Register:
SIR:-The writer has for many years
thought seriously and favorably Of the
project of retaining the bed of Wheeling
creek, from some point near Fulton, to its
entrances into the Ohio river. The figures
given by ''Oimon" in yesterdays issue Of
your paper, now command attention. II
they are correct, they show that the pro-
iect is feasible, and that nop Is the time.
In sanitary point of view there is no
question but that the creek has been dis
ease generating agent. Hundreds OF citl-
zens can bear testimony to the foul and
noxious vapors arising, during low water,
from its bed. In fact, the writer has
observed for years that typhoid fever,
whenever it has prevailed, seemed to start
lust when the creek was low, stagusnt
and foul. Is this single consideration and
reason for doing away with the cause Of
fatal disease not deserving Of public at
tention? Would not the denizsus OF
Wheeling demand it in no unmistakable
terms if it was practicable? Is it prac'
ticable? II not, it must be for one OF the
following reasons: First, the difficulty OF
securing the consent Of the United States
Government to run the creek into the Ohio
river through Wheeling hill at come
point between Seventh street and iona
than's Gut. Now it is hard t.
see why the Government would object
to the project, rs the bar now apt to be
formed by Wheeling creek waters ct the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad bridge would
be discontinued and the trouble trans
ferred to point higher up. At all events
let the consent of the United States
Government be asked. Secondly, the
custodisns of the Wheeling city finances
might object on the score of the heavy
outlay necessary. In reply l would sug
gest that the money spent would soon bt
regsined, and made applicable TO the
liquidation of the debt incurred, by the
building lots reclaimed in the creek bed,
and by the lots belonging to the city on
the level parts Of Wheeling hill by the
augmented taxable property. These ad'
tiitiopsl taxes would lessen to some extent
the lew for county as well rs city purposes
Thirdly, the cost of removing the
water works to some point north
of the new inlet Of Wheel
ing creek. "Cimon," in your issue of yes
terday, shows that that item would also
be provided for in the receipts from the
contemplated change. The writer is salts
fed that ''Cimon" is not visionary, but
eminently practical, and has at heart, like
the illustrious Athenian general and states
man, whose name he honors for the occa.
sion, to be true beuefsctor Of his fellow
citizens.
''Cimon" is certainly correct when he
tells the people that noe is the time, when
it is question of very heavy OUTLAWS fol
bridge purposes, SC, &c. Later it would
not, could not command the same stten.
ton which il may properly do now. Your
paper of Sunday furnished some usefu
hints in regard to the project in question
As the city and county are deeply inter
ested, the writer is glad the REGISTER in
vites the expression of public opinion or
this important matter. The Intelligence
will without doubt welcome similar ex
pressions of popular sentiment.
CITIZEN.