The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-26

ervoirs. II was the purpose OF the com
missioners to make good their promise I,
have Pawtuxet water in Providence II
the fall of 1871 and they did so for on
November ath the worthingtop engin,
first pumped water from the river with
the smaller OF the two plungers with
which 1t was equipped.
The work OF raising the water into the
inlet chamber at Sockanosset reservoir
$50 feet above tids water was accom-
plished with 80 much esse that the larger
plungsr was substituted.
Mayor Doyle In communication to the
City Council on Novsmber Is. 1871 called
attention to the fact that Pawtuxet water
had been introduced into the city, which
he thought q matter OF sufficient impor-
tance to deserve recognition by public
services and he recommended the sp-
pointment OF com mittee to make ar
raDgements for proper eleoration Of
the event. In conformity with this rec
ommendation Aldermen Coggeshall and
Brsyton with Councilmen Binnsy, and
Van Slyok and N. +. Potter, Jr., we're
appointed to arrange for a proper celebra-
tion. The mayor was also made a mem
Der of the committee.
The celebration was held on Thanks
giving jsy which unfortunately proved
to be bitterly cold, but the exercises were
carried out according to the program ar
ranged, nevertheless. At hslf-past 8
o'clock iD the morning a procession
formed at the city building OH Market
Square, under the direction of John M.
Knowles, chief Of police. and headed py
the American band marched up West
Minister street to Dorrance, through Dor
rance street and Exchange Place to the
platform which had been erected. There
the formal exercises were held. After
music oy the American band, President
Caswell Of Brown University offered prayer
and the Orpheus Club and the assent bled
people sang the One Hundrsdth Psalm
of David. Mayor Doyle made a short ad
dress in which he called attention to the
fact that although nearly 20 years had
elapsed since the City Council began to
take action in relation to obtain
ing q supply of water for the city and
friends of the project did not abandon Ii,
hut from time TO line renewed their
efforts only TO meet with failure until they
bad almost ceaseo to hope that the work
world be accomplished during the present
" And now" continued the
mayor on this Thanksgiving osy we have
Assem- bled to witness the realization of
their hope, and with grateful hearts to
render thanks to the Giver of all good, as
we'll for the abundant supply of pure
water which is now flowing through our
as for the great mercy which has
protected our city from the
ravages of extensive fires. IL
Mr.. Moses b. Lockwood, chairman OF
the water commission also made an ad-
dress in which he thanked the mayor for
the words Of praise for the commits
sioners. he gave q orief outline Of the
wofk. accomplished and made the signih-
can't statement that la his judgment the
in the original estimate of four and a half
million dollars. After paying a high
tribute to the efficiency of Engineer
5hedd, Mr.. Lockwood concluded by cay
ing: "And now, Mr.. Mayor, ask your
honor and the chief engineer ito 60 with
me and TO demonstrate to the people as
sem blei here in q manner even more con.
than the eloquent words which |
you have just spoken, that their apticipa:
lions with regard to water are about to be |
realized"
At the conclusion OF the addresses the |
mayor the water commissioners, the |
chief engineer Of the water works
and Zschsriah Allen one OF the
serliest advocates of the introduc-
ion Of water, took their places at the
gate and gradually opened 1t in full view
Of the large gathering Of people. A three
nch jet of water rsncbed a height vary
ng from l30 to $50 feet, and from the
,old weather prevailing produced an srti-
icisl storm of hail and snow. The streets
n the vicinity were coated thick with
&C and frozen spray, but the people seemed
% pay little heed to the biting stmos.
,here so pleased did they seem with the
act that at last Providenc zone had taken
" the important steps that would take it
'ut Of the list of overgrown villages. The
LIBERATION was q success and from that
lime until the completion OF the water
works system proper, the work was
,ushed with vigor. Indeed, II may truth.
ully be said that no public improvem ent
yer made in this city was more faith
ully, economically and efficiently carried
nut.
The work OF construction was not CON-
'lstcd untiljS76 when tho original term
4 the water commissioners expired under
he terms Of the ordinance under which
hey were appointed, and q board OF
Vstsr commissioners was appointed. In
lie interim the SocKanosset and Hope
eserviors had been completed, snginss
sd bten installed and everything pre-
jared for furnishing an ample supply