New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-01

all civil officers in the state, which before the
war was exercised by the Governor James
Duane, native born citizen, who had wrecked
his fortune in the Revolutionary struggle, and
had returned 10 his farm near what is now
Gramercy Park, to find his house burned and
his property destroyed. became the unanimous
choice of the people for Mayor. and on Feb
ruary ), 1884 so installed, holding the office
for five years. Richard varick made Re
corder. Lafayette. on September II, arrived in
the city to embark for France. and was waited
upon by the corporation with an address, and
the freedom of the city voted to him. Octo-
Der John Jay arrived from Europe, and was
welcomed by the corporation, who paid him
the highest honors in their power" october g
Baron Steuben arrived and was addressed by
the corporation, and the freedom of the city
voted to him." December 2-"GeneTal Wash
lngton arrived and was received with the great
est enthusiasm by the citizens The corporation
made him an address of congrat ulation and
thanks and voted the freedom of the city.
Elizabethtown Ferry leased for f63 year
in 1854, and the streets cleaned for t1JO
and wells and pumps were repaired for $40.
Samuel Ogden this year proposed to establish
WaterWorks for the city His proposition was
referred by the corporation. was that of
Christopher Coils in IVA. Two years after
OGdenS proposition was made, or in 1tS6. Rob-
ert r. Livingston also proposed ito convey the
fresh water into the city" He received the di-
recticn and use" of the Bowling Green for the
purpose. but his scheme unsuccessful On
December II. 1898, one month after an epidemic
of yellow fever. which prevailed from July 70
November, with a mortality of 2.OS6. the au-
thorities were compelled by public pressure
to take up the various propositions which had
been made to them TO supply the city with pure
and wholesome water. Bronx River was sur
veyed by an English engineer named Weston.
but the corporation shrUnk from the immense
expense anticipated S1,00OOO and a private
Incorporation was started to accomplish the OBJ
Ject. called the Manhattan Company" It re-
Ceived unlimited charter from the legisla-
ture, with a capital to be used for the purpose
for which 1t was formed, the surplus to be en-
ployed In banking operations and the exclusive
privilege Of using the springs the island for
the supply Of the city"
For many years after the period mentioned the
Manhattan Company supplied New-York with
water drawn from deep wells and springs, and
forced up by a steam engine to a reservoir in
Chambers-st that fifteen feet above the
level - Broadway. This water distributed
through every street IN the city by means of
wooden pipes running three feet under the level
of the pavement. Lateral pipes extended into
every house that paid the company the regular
tax therefor. so, but extra compensation was
necessary to procure a larger flow than ordi-
narily. The works of this company were in
Reade-st, "a few rods northeast from the City
Hall"
Here is an extract from a report made TO the
city authorities as to what the Manhattan Com
pany intended to do In the way OF improve
ments in the early part OF 1900: They intend
10 discard the filthy wooden logs in which the
water has hitherto been conveyed throughout
the city. and TO substitute cast iron pipes,
which are perfectly clean and durable.
They have made several experiments in boring
for water to a great depth in different places,
but the result has not been very satisfactory
The corporation, however. seemed to have tried
its hand in sinking shafts at the same time. for
"it met with better success than the Manhattan
Company by sinking shafts in Washington and
Hail. where a pure soft water obtained,
which. coming from great depth below all the
Impurities of the surface, will be of much ben
eft II to be obtained in adequate quantities in
the southern wards of the city"