Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-15
OtR CITY AND THE SNOW.

1
In Richmond and vicinity the depth OF
the recent snow on level was seventeen
inches. but IN some places II drifted III
II was three feet deep.
In the course OF few days most OIL
this syow will resolve itself into It's orisi-
nal element, and we shall see the side
walks wet the cutters surcharged win
water and slush, and most of the country
streams rising.
A warm rain would be followed. almost
surely. by disastrous floods. Not so sue
cession Of bright days. In the former
case the SHOWS would instantly melt and
| all the streams from the mountains TO
the seashore would rise simultaneously.
! But the suns influences would be more
! conservative and genial. The streams Of
! this vicinity would empty themselves
1 before the up-country streams began to
! burst their banks. Therefore, we do not
look for dangerous noods-unless there
should be warm rain, or the tempera-
ture should rise to an extraordinary de-
gree from the sea to the mountain tops.
Here in Richmond our present and most
urgent public duty is to clear the side
walks ana crossings and such OF the road
ways as offer serious impedments to the
movement Of teams In the existing con-
dition Of our streets it takes three horses
to do the work of two. The result is
cost and delay.
Another duty OF ours IS to see TO the
condition Of our house-tops. some OF
the roofs in this city are heavily laden
with snow and are sagging When the
thaw comes the water will leak through.
But those who have roofs of tin would
do well 10 hire careful and competent
men 10 clean them. The tin may be easily
pierced by the nails in ones shoes, and
viii be ruined where IT is struck by the
sharp edge of the spade
Unless the services Of very careful and
skilful men can be obtained. the cleaning
Of roofs would better be done with brooms
and shovels made Of wood. Thus the
weight of the snow may be reduced. and
provided there are no nails in the heels
Of the cleaners shoes, the tin is not |
likely to be injured.
In the matter Of cleaning off sidewalks |
most Of our people have shown common
dable spirit. The exceptions are few, but |
notable and provoking. 1t is too |
bad that the continuity Of the
work upon a square which Is usually |
crowded during business hours should be |
broken by one owners refusing to do |
the part which public spirit and the ordi-
nances of the city require of him.
All Of our streets would soon be In a
fairly good condition if each house
holder would do his or her part promptly
The thing to do just now is TO throw
the snow off the sidewalks, but in a little
while il will be necessary to keep the
cutters open. Merchants would find it to
their interests TO give this subject their
attention. Unless more systematic work
should be done TO meet this emergency
han has been done upon like occasions.
our people ladies especially, will fnd
walking vastly more disagreesble a few
lays hence than it is now.
In balmy weather the plumber Is an
object of much raillery and some objurga-
ions, Dut at tunes Sucn as tnlS people
speak to him most respectfully. His SER
vices are sought in many quarters. The
question with him is not where he may
get work, but which of his patrons he
gill favor first. Now that the beginning
Of the thaw has set in it is seen that the
freezing, and consequent expanding Of
he water in the pipes has burst many
If them. and hence the help Of the plumb
+ is badly needed. He is entreatei
md imulored TO SO here and there. In
iitations crowd in upon him from the
pest in the land. Being "A good natured
man he does not seek 20 get even" with
hose who have oft revled him, but goes
where his handicraft is most urgently re-
luired. And in three cases out of four,
ne will find that the repairs he has to
make might have been avoided by little
ingenuity and foresight upon the part Of
he hOusehOders.
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