The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-10-17

cradle complaint concerning the meacer
supply oil water at Fort Myer, and va
rious plans have been considered for
supplying a sufficient amount of water
for the comfort, convenience and health
of the soldiers stationed there. The
prevailing impression was that a via
duct must he built to connect the fort
with the water supply of this city. In
accordance with this plan, an appr6-
priation of 100000 was made, and the
secretary of war caused the subject to
be investigated by his engineer officers,
who reported that a we'll ought to be
sunk on the premises which would sup
ply sufficient water, and which wonld
cost not much less than the viaduct. 1t
was reported that a flow of $4,000 gal-
Ions per day would be ample, and surely
that amount could be procured by an
artesian well. At any rate the effort
should be made.
just at that juncture eX-Congress-
man Levi Maish. of Pennsylvania, Sc
cured the contract for digging the well,
his compensation to be $4,000, if he
could produce $4,000 gallons per day.
Col. Maish hired a subcontractor in
Pennsylvania, brought him here and
set him to work. Three wells were dug,
the first two being unsatisfactory. The
third well produced a flow of 10000 gal
Ions of pure water per day; and the
government chemist declared that the
water was absolutely pure. 1t was not a
spontaneous flow, but was forced up
with an eight-horse power pump. 1t
was thoroughly tested, and sure enough
10000 gallons per day were produced.
and the well was accepted, and the S.
900 paid to the chief contractor.
The quartermasteI general recently
caused the well t. be carefully exam.
ined, because it did not produce the
amount of water required. In fact when
the pump was worked and the water
used, it. soon gave out. Investigation
disclosed the fact that a four-inch terra
Gotta pipe was connected with the well
and ran down the hill side into a little
brook. A few hundred yards down the
stream a dam had been constructed
which backed up the brook water, sc
that it could be pumped up into the
fort premises. But. as long as the wa
ter was merely pumped to show its
volume, it ran back into the little
stream; and thus a flow of 10000 gal
Ions per day could be kept up. Thu
same water was being pumped UP ovel
and over again. There was no well a
all, and there never had been a well. 1
was simply the dishonest practice of
subcontractor who secured his inorel
and then disappeared.
Congress appropriated 100000 t
Srovide a water supply for Fort Myer
The sum of $4,000 has already been eN
pended and no result produced, so nov
only 500, 900 remain available for tn
and the soldiers at Fort Mye
must still go thirsty, or else pump u
water from their little brook until j
becomes exhausted, and it is not yer
full of water during this heated season
o The eX-congressman proposes to pa
0 back thS $4,000, although he will be tn
: loser of that amount, in addition Ia tn
money which he paid the swindlin
n subcontractor. The question is, no,
will he get it hack into the treasury
n Under existing practices, the none
U having been expended for the we'll, an
q the treasury books showing that fac
the money can only be restored to tn
treasury as a part of the conscienC
fund. 1t cannot be added to the apprC
priation for Fort Myers water SUI
n ply.
1t is of vast importance to everyon
in this country, that only honest men |
: sent to congress, and only honest me
be placed in high positions in the nj
: tional capitol. 1t is important to tt
) farmer, the miner, the merchant, til
= manufacturer, the preacher, the wifi
:, mother, daughter, son, and to the il
- FAINT in arms, hat this should be homes
: w and in truth a government of the pc,
u pie, for the people and by the people.
SMITH d. FRY.
ID Height of Fame.
~ - 800. Isl