The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-05-12
A Few Facts and an Appeal
MeSsrS. Editors:

! CHdHlel anu TAKE 10 anu IOT Jut
use of the city, the stream known
as Fishing Creek, is no longer a
question. But that the people
of Frederick would consent to
and encourage a project so mani.
feStly unjust and selfish, if they
knew the absolute loss it will be
to the people of this community,
is difficult to believe. The truth
is that Frederick covetS Fishing
, Creek, because its waters are
fresh and sparkling and the au-
thorities propose to take it solely
on the principle that might makes
right. On a straight line from
source to mouth the distance is
not long, but it winds about,
doubles and re doubles upon it
self, now going in one direction
of the compass then in another,
and when it reaches the MOnOcacy
it has traverSed and watered
scope of many square miles and
blessed and gladdened a multi
tude of people. All this will be
stopped, during the hot and dry
summer months, if tapped with
a twelve inch pipe at its head.
"There is enough for YOU and us,
too has frequently been said by
people who are ignorant Of facts
and yet have not taken the trouble
to inform themselves correctly.
What is the factl
| speak on the authority of
those who are best qualified to
Judge. Except in rainy seasons,
during the greater part OF the
summer and autumn months. all
of Fishing creek will run through
SIX inch pipe, and at times Of
drought, for weeks together, the
entire stream has passed through
an opening Of four inches at the
mill of DR.. Il, ID. Neighbors.
The writer makes this propo-
Sition to the authorities and will
see that it is made good if they
accept it, namely, that a quantity,
equal to that capable of passing
through a twelve-inch pipe, be
first allowed to run in its natural
channel and all over and above
that Frederick shall have without
charge or damage.
If the entire stream is taken
the loss to the entire community
will be irreparable. All along
the people are dependent upon it
during the summer, and eSpec-
tally i'll times Of drought. 1t is
the source of supply to many fam
HES for house and washing pur-
poses. and to some for the water
ing Of stock, and to a score or
more of farmers to run their en-
glneS for threShing, hulling, saw :
ing, etc. The mills with the en-.
tire stream are often able to run
only small traction Of time. and
If it is taken they will be com
PEELED to close down or run by
steam
This some Of the proprietorS
say Is too expensive, as the com
petition of the larger plants are
great, making the profits very
small. In this all of us will he
put to a serious Inconvenience.
TO be compelled to go long dis.
tances to have chopping done or
to get mill feed, will be especially
veXing TO those of us who have
room for but small quantity at
a time. The writer in the inter.
est OF the people, feels it his duty
to call upon every citizen to
arouse aid and combine to fight
the project. Why should we
not stand together for Self-pro
lection and compel these people,
who act as if the rights of Others
deserved no consideration, to re.
Spect the old English law, which
Is also time hOnOred one in this
country, "that if stream be
taken from its natural course il
must he returned into the same
channel with the water undefil
ed" TO return the stream is moi
the intention, nor is it possible il
this case, and is therefore an ut
ter violation of this law and prin
clple. AS one intimately aSSO
ciated with the people of the com
munlty, and therefore feeling
that their interests are his inter
eStS, the writer would appeal tC
the conscience of the people O.
Frederick, and ask by what prin
ciple of right or justice, can ONT
set or class Of people ruthlesSl,
take away the property, advanta.
geS and cOnveniences of another
class? Is it not robbery, pure
and simple? 1t is earnestly ask
ed, Will the christian people O
Frederick do it,
j. U. A.,
Lewistown, Md.
led. WEgive space to the above com
munieation at the request of tn,
writer, but it comes trhe late to pro
duce any other effect than n knnwl