The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1895-03-29

Kemble avenue, and finds its way to the pond
on James street, receives a portion of the sew
age from houses on Washington, Bank and
Market street.
1t is known that the brook before referred
to as crossing Pine street receives a large por-
ton of the sewage from the houses on the
south side of Morris street, from near the
Methodist Church to beyond Ridgedale ave
nue., and from all the houses on Pine street,
and from those on the north side of Elm street
All these streams. very small even in wet
weather, become still smaller in dry. Some
of them, in portion of their course, have been
confined in drain pipes, while other sections
are allowed to spread over a considerable area
of ground
If the sewage thus committed to these
streams could be conveyed directly from our
city in properly constructed drain pipes, they
would form an ideal carrier, but unfortunately
such is not the case. In many places the
streams break their regular channels and
spread over an area of from three to four acres,
depositing their load of filth over a broad
area, which becomes offensive and dangerous.
In calling attention to these cases OF the dis
posal Of sewage the manner of which is I'M
doubleday contrary to well known rules for
the maintenance of health, comfort and clean
Illness which should govern an enlightened
community, we do not desire to be understood
as complainants against the individual prop
erty owners. On the contrary, we believe that
in most of the cases where house drains are
connected, or find their way to the natural
streams referred to, it is because there is an
absolute necessity for SO doing ON the part OF
the owners, in order to protect the yards and
cellars from being flooded with house drainage
The land being low, any cesspools constructed
therein are little more than excavations filled
by the surrounding surface drains or subsoil
springs. No portion of our city is more in need
of a perfect sewerage system than those sec
tions which suffer from these conditions
1t has been ascertained that the residents OF
some portions of the city still adhere to the
practice of using the water of springs and
wells for domestic purposes. This practice
cannot be too forcibiy condemned, in q city
where the system of cesspool drainage still
prevails; for the water of wells and springs in
these low lands consists of the natural drain
age, together with cesspool seepage from
higher areas, and its use for potable purposes
is injurious and dangerous in the extreme.
The popular idea with regard to the filth
ness of sewage and the liabilities to disease
consequent to the introduction of a sewerage
system, seems to be highly exaggerated and
extravagant Sewage is not injurious, when
not decomposed, and with well ventilated
thoroughly flushed sewerage system, con
structed upon the grades which are possible il
this city, there need be no apprehension of an
increase of disease in consequence; but we may
reasonably expect that our experience will be
similar to that of towns and cities where sucf
improvements have been made. viz, an in
crease in general healthfulness and a decrease
of the cath rate.
In this connection we desire to quote from a
table of vital statistics, compiled by reliable
authority, showing the result of the e ahlisb.
ment Of sewage systems in six towns in Great
Britain: