The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-08-28

| undertake little jobs for few thousand
dollars. In other words. little thieves
do not abound among men who have
attained positions and secured reccg-
milton before the executive depart
mcnts, or who have the privilege of do
ing business on Capitol hill. The last
discovery of corruption involves only
the sum of $4,000; and out of that the
contractor could not have made more
than $4,000, although he might have
made at least $1,000 if he had done his
work honestly.
Opposite this city, ON the Virginia
heights, there is cavalry post called
Fort Myer. 1t is near Arlington ceme-
terry, and in plain view of Washington.
For several years there has been cons:d-
cradle complaint concerning the meager
supply OF water at Fort Myer, and va
rious plans have been considered for
supplying sufficient amount of water
for the comfort, convenience and health
of the soldiers stationed there. The
prevailing impression was that via
duct must be built to connect the fort
with the water supply of this city. In
accordance with this plan, an appro-
priation of 100000 was made, and the
secretary of war caused the subject to
be investigated by his engineer officers,
who reported that well ought to be
sunk on the premises which would sup
ply sufficient water, and which would
cost not much less than the viaduct. 1t
was reported that 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 subcontractor in
Pennsylvania, brought him here and
set him to work. Three wells were dug,
the first two being unsatisfactory. The
third well produced flow of 10000 gal
Ions of pure water per day; and the
government chemist declared that the
water was absolutely pure. 1t was nota
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.
600 paid to the chief contractor.
The quartermaster general recently
caused the well to 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 four-inch terra
Gotta pipe was connected with the well,
and ran down the hill side into little
brook. A few hundred yards down the
stream a dam had been constructed
which backed up the brook water, SO
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 flow of 10000 gal
Ions per day could be kept up. The
same water was being pumped up over
and over again. There was no well at
all. and there never had been a well. 1t
was simply the dishonest practice OF a
subcontractor who secured his money
and then disappeared.
Congress appropriated 100000 to
proyide water supply for Fort Myer.
The sum of 5000 has already been ex-
pended and no result produced, so now
only 500, 900 remain available for the
purpose. and the soldiers at Fort Myer
must still go thirsty, or else pump up
water from their little brook until it
becomes exhausted. and it is not very
full of water during this heated season.
The ex-congressman proposes to pay
back the 5000. although he will be the
loser of that amount, in addition 10 the
money which he paid the swindling
subcontractor.