Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-07

x Benson's Porous Plaster, Price 25 cts. *
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earnest enthusiasm and jealous emf
lation which refuses to rest satisfied
2 while improvement is possible. An or
derby and well disciplined militia is ca
pable of being an excellent school of in
struction in many of the virtues which
characterize the best type Of citizenship.
BOSTON HARBOR.
The much-needed improvements in
Boston harbor demanded by the i'm
portance of the commercial interests of
the port have been forwarded during
the year through both national and state
agencies.
The main chip channel at the entrance
to the harbor has been freed from rocks
and shoals, so that there is now uni
form depth of q feet at meanlow water
with width of 1000 feet as far up as the
Narrows. Under a contract with the
federal government to continue the
same width and depth of channel up to
the city, the work of dredging is now
going on, and win probably result Curing
the coming season in the completion OF
channel Of Like dimensions to President S
Roads.
An examination Of the proposed new
ship channel through Broad sound has
been made, and it is expected that con-
gress will be asked during the coming
session for an appropriation sufficient
for the excavation of a channel by this
route 1900 feet wide and 90 feet deep at
mean low water.
Boston has suffered in the past from
the lack of a free and deep waterway
for large vessels approaching her
wharves. 1t has been a serious obstacle
to the due expansion of her shipping in
terests, from the burden Of which relief
should not be longer delayed.
With the view of providing for the fu-
ture still greater facilities for the COM
merce of the port, the legislature of last
year authorized the expenditure of a
large sum to secure public ownership
and control of certain portions of the
foreshore of Boston harbor, and for the
construction Of a pier and dock on the
commemorative flats at South Boston.
A contract for the foundations and core
of this pier has been made by the harbor
| and land commissioners, which it is eX-
pected will secure it's completion and
readiness for service before the contem-
plated ir~ provements above referred to
in the ship channel shall be fully carried
out. Owing to the dislodgment of many
industries and business firms through
the location Of the southern union sta
ton, the attention of investors and bust
ness men has been turned in larger
measure than heretofore to the unde-
Veloped property of the commonwealth
at South Boston, and to the increased
use of the wharf properties of South bay.
TYPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY COM
MISSION.
Provision was last year made by the
legislature for the relocation, under the
direction of the Typographical survey
commission, of the boundary lines be-
tween this commonwealth and the ad-
joining states of New York and Rhode
Island. The surveys for these lines,
which have been made at the joint ex-
pense of the states bordering upon them
have clearly demonstrated the necessity
of the work, owing to the collaboration of
former landmarks and the uncertainty
of former lines 1t is probable that the
boundary line between Massachusetts
and Connecticut will for like reasons re-
quire early attention.
METROPOLITAN WATER BOARD.
The great constructive work commit
ted to this board has been prosecuted
with vigor and has made substantial
progress during the past year. The tun-
mel, two miles In length, making the be-
ginning of the aqueduct which Is to
connect the Nashua river at Clinton with
the Sudbury water system of The city of
Boston, has been completed, and the re-
mainder Of the aqueduct, with the open
waterway, nine miles in length. has been
SO far finished that water can now be
conveyed through it to the Southboro
reservoir This large reservoir, cover
Ing an area Of two square miles, and all
ready connected with the Boston water
system, is so far completed as to be now
collecting aud storing the waters of its
own watershed. The main supply pipes.
generally feet in diameter have been
laid through the greater part of the met
ropolitan water district. A large addi
uonal water supply is therefore already
assured, and it is believed that reason
| for apprehension of any serious trouble
in the near future from a light rainfall
no longer exists. The building of the
dam and reservoir at Clinton and the
other work connected with this greaS
Undertaking will require several vears
Tor completion. 1t is interesting to note
ehat with increasing population certain
municipalities within the 10-mile radi
US, but not originally included in the
municipal water district, are already
showing desire to be admitted to share
the benefits of the new water supply. The
commonwealth win finally be fully re-
1mbursed for its great expenditure an,7
the several municipalities viii obtain an
4 abundant supply of pure water at a hess
expense than if each were forced to CON
struct independent works.
STATE HIGHWAYS
The first appropriation for the con-
struction of state highways was made
in 1884, and amounted to $500 600 rrba
appropriations since then have been
as follows In 1895, $500, 900; in 1895
S6OOOO and in 1897, $500, OOO-of which
last sum, however, not more than 5000
600 was to be paid from the state treas
ury during the year 1897. AS rs ner cent
of this expenditure is borne bv tba
commonwealth, the several countia,
| benefited repaying to the common
wealth 70 per cent of the amount ex-
pended, 1t will be seen how large q. SIM
IN the annual state budget is paid fo,
TINS purpose. The cost of maintenance
ana repair is not yet matter of largo
moment but with every year this item
must increase, and under existing leeIs-
| thiS=# ie 10 h.