Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-03-31
The Regular Spring Freshet and
Flood L. Upon Us Once
More.
The Buildings Along Broadway and
Fourth Street Catch the High
Water Again.
The General Sentiment az Expressed
Regarding the Convention Of
Monday Night.

With the advent of spring, the melt
ing Of the snow on the level and the up
lands, and the utter inadequacy of the
sewerage and drainage facilities of the
city, the periodic inundation and food
ing of the buildings in those parts of
the city to and through which the water
flows and drains off, has again begun.
Had the slope escaped the recent heavy
snowfall, these places would have es.
capped, as the winters SHOWS had already
melted and passed off, gradually and
almost imperceptibly. But the snow
which fell last week was of so great
volume, and it's melting, under the
warmth of the past two days, has been
SO rapid, that the city's lack of drainage
facilities is uncomfortably and incon-
veniently evident to those, who reside
and have business places along Broad
way.
With the beginning of the downward
flow of water from the uplands vester-
day, was the commencement of the usual
lake along Broadway, from Fifth to
Fourth street. Too rapidly came the
water to be carried of by the sewers at
the corner and by noon the water had
risen to level with the sidewalk, and a
steady, rushing stream through the
bitches along the sides of the street,
showed that there was no immediate
prospect of a dimunition IN the supply.
A sort of temporary barrier against the
flow had been constructed about the
Merchants bank building, and the water
was thus stopped for time, forming q
sort of lake in the square. Men were
kept at work, examining the entrances
to the sewers to see that they did not
become clogged, but even with this care,
the water could not be drained of.
The spring promises to be repetition
of the experiences of last summer, dur
ing the unusually heavy rainfalls.
While the water has as yet done no con-
siderable damage, 1t is also fact that
the worst is yet to come. It is a matter
of serious moment to business men,
whose places are surrounded by water,
to the depth of two and three feet.
Venice may be pleasant town to live
in, but Venetians are accustomed and
prepared to do business upon a liquid
foundation, and Bismarckers are not.
The question of drainage ditch to be
constructed upon Eighth or Ninth
streets, for the drainage of the city and
the prevention of these annual overAows
has long been discussed, and council
committee has now such a measure
under consideration.
That the construction of such ditch
is crying necessity will be evident to
everyone. The city has already claims
filed against it, for negligence in allow
ing water to overflow sidewalks. and a
consequent destruction and damaging
of property. And if the city is to be al
lowed to remain subject to such over
flows, it is probable that other claims
for damages will be presented, out of
which expensive suits may develop.
The council committee should investi-
gate thoroughly, and act advisedly and
expeditiously in the matter. If it lies in
their power to do anything to mitigate
the evil, they should act at once, and
make some definite report The matter
will probably become an issue with the
next city council, if it is not attended to
by the present one, as the necessity for
action is plainly apparent.
LITTLE DROPS OF WATER.
Larson's shoe store, just vacated by
him, is suffering, and the floor partly
covered 1t is his opinion that he moved
at about'just the right time.
The Merchants bank block is receiv"
ing it's usual cellar full, the water SEEM
ing to have kindly feeling for that
haven.
Steiber's laundry was closed for the