THE DAILY EVENING TELEGRAPH PHILADELPHIA, . TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, .18G9.
3
COi'XILS AM) THE WATER.
fnrrlnl Meeting if City Council Yentrrdnjr
Artrrnoon-.Hi-nKner ol Mnvor Fox-Full IMn-
I ruanlnn of the (Hibjrct-Areoniit of (he l'ro
rrcillntia. The business dono was this:
Silrcl Jlronrh. President Stokley was fri
tlie chair, a full (uoruni of members present.
The first business in order whs the reception
of a written message from Lis Honor tlio
Mayor. It was ready only at the. last moment.
It called attention to tlio necessity on the part
of Councils for immediate attention to a sup
ply of water to the c ity.
The annexed correspondence was also laid
before the Chamber as collateral documents:
To the Prcjddent and members of Select and
Common Councils Gentlemen: The follow
ing statement of facts connected with the dif
ficulties of the Water Department during this
period of unprecedented drought, and a few
suggestions upon their future avoidance, are
respectfully submitted lor the information of
your honorable bodies:
Tho first inconvenience felt was upon the
7th (lay of J uly, when we were called upon by
the agents of the Schuylkill Navigation Com
pany, and requested to discontinue the work
ing of all our wheels for a lew hours of the
day whenever the water was drawn down to a
point "below the top surface of the dam."
This stoppage usually allowed sullicient
water to accumulate in the dam to permit the
whole or a part of the wheel:) to run for the
balance of the daw.
The stoppage was made daily, when re
quested by tlio Company, in deference to the
terms of existing agreements between the cor
poration of the city of Philadelphia and the
Schuylkill Navigation Company, the final
Agreement being dated June II, 18:11, which
gives the Navigation Company the right to
fasten up the gales or openings used to draw
off the water, ami whenever the water is drawn
of I below the top surface of the dam to keep the
name fastened until the water shall again be
raised as high as the top surface of the dam.
The Company, however, did not exercise
this right in a peremptory manner, but po
litely requested it to be done, to which request
wc daily complied until, by the largo five at
the Patterson stores anil other causes, the re
servoirs were drawn down so much that I con
sidered it unsafe to suspend pumping, and on
several days declined compliance with the re
quest of the Company.
The supply of water in the river becoming
rapidly so very limited as to cause alarm, and,
deeming it my duty to attempt to keep it up
by every possible means, a letter was addressed
to the Navigation Company (a copy of which
is appended), desiring thetn to suspend the
loikuge of any boats through the outlet lock
at Fail-mount, niid also to draw down all the
available water from the dams on the line of
their works. This request was promptly com
plied with by the assistant president of the
Company, and their works were closed at
about five o'clock P. M. on Saturday, August
14, 18ti'.i, and have so remained; at the same
time they have, by drawing the sluices in
several of their dams, kept the water in r air
mount pool high enough to permit the work
ing of a considerable part of our power for
a portion of each day.
I have no hesitation in saying that, had the
Company not acted in this manner, and chosen
to keep their upper dams closed, the city
would before this have been deprived of water.
The present drought has no precedent in
the history of the Fairmount works, either in
duration or alarming results, the nearest ap
proach to it being thirty-ono years since.
There are no adequate means within my
knowledge by which the present difliculty can
be immediately remedied; the future means
are obvious. Attention has been called to
them in a report made by a sub-committee of
tlio Park Commission (of which I had the
honor to bo chairman"), and presented to that
body October 11, 18t;7.
It is not considered necessary, at this time,
to do more than indicate the modes suggested
by that report, as proper and feasible for in
creasing and improving the supply of water
from the Schuylkill:
First. 15y the construction of a sewer from
Manayunk to a point below the Faiiinoiint
dam.
Second. By the improvement of the water
power to its fullest extent. ( By substituting
new and more economical wheels for the dila
pidated wheels and pumps then in use.)
Third. By the erection of largo auxiliary en
gines, to be used during the dry weattier of
summer, which might be so arranged as to be
able to reach the water below the dam, in case
any accident should happen to that important
structure.
Fourth. Additional engines of largo sizo at
Spring Garden works, capable of supplying
the Delaware reservoirs as well as tlieir own
Fifth. By the construction of very large
distributing reservoirs or reservoir.
Sixth. Tlio building of large retaining com
pensating reservoirs upon some of the streams
at the head waters of the river.
Add to these the raising of Fairmount dam,
whereby tlie amount of water wasted upon the
wheels will be very ruuen less to raise the
same quantity as at present into the reservoir,
and the works of the Navigation bo largely
improved and increased in valm : and the sub
stitution of inclined planes worked by steam
power, in place of the present outlet lock,
whereby the water now wasted from t ho dam
for lockage of canal boats may be saved, and
the business of the Navigation Company not
be interrupted.
By these means, in my opinion, the future
improvement ot the water-power lroni the
Schuylkill can bo successfully accomplished;
the second, third, fourth, lii'th, and sixth
suggestions requiring attention first.
1 do not think that the unfortunate position
in which we are now placed need impair our
confidence in the Schuylkill as a source of
supply, if the measures above indicated be
taken advantago of.
The experience of former v ars shows that
for ten to eleven months of the year the ordi
nary volume of water in the river is ample to
drive all the wheels that can be placed in the
old mill house; during the balance of the year
they may bo assisted, as required, by steam
power.
I may add that some of the means proposed
in the above report have been anticipated and
partly put into execution. ( no new turbine
wheel has been erected and put in use, and an
other is in course ot construction. A largo
Cornish engine has also been erected at the
Spring Garden works, and has had a prelimi
nary trial; the boilers intended for it are not
yet ready for use.
Believing that your honorable bodies will
refer the w hole subject to the Committee on
V ater and this Department for early investiga
iion,i nave con tinea tnyscll to a simple state
nient, merely intended for the present infor-
4'-i i
jnaLluil ui councils.
Very respectfully, Fred. Ghaff,
Chief Engineer of the Water Department
August 23, 1809.
Schuylkill Navigation Company's Office
Avguxt 11, 1869 To lion. Daniel M. Fox
juayor ot rniiauelplna Sir: Pursuant to re
solution oi the managers of this Company at
a special meeting to-day, I have the honor to
address you relative to a communication re
specting the uso of tho water in Fairmount
dam.
Inclosed is a copy of a communication
which, by direction of the managers, I sent to
the Chief Engineer of the Water Department
on the 7th inst. Since tlicn tho evil has been
steadily increasing.
To-day, in conscqucnco of the refusal of
tho city to comply with an agreement not to
draw tho water below tho level of the top of
the dam, the navigation for loaded boats in
Fairmount pool has been entirely suspended.
With the aid thus obtained by taking water
belonging to the navigation, the city, after in
curring heavy liability to all injured by this
illegal obstruction of the public highway, may
supply power to its machinery at tho Fair
mount Water-works for a short time longer.
Should the drought continue thero is littlo
doubt that tho entire water of the river would
soon prove inadequate for that purpose. Tho
result may bo such a diminution of tho supply
of Aater to tho city as will occasion great do
privation and suflering, and, in the event of
lire, great disaster.
The managers have, therefore, instructed
me to address you chiefly with a view to put you
in possession of tho main facts of the case,
in hope that you may be able officially to urge
the application of tho proper remedy.
The most important of existing misappre
hensions upon the subj-ct is a belief that this
Company claims the right to limit now the ex
tent of the right of the city to use the water
of the Schuylkill for distribution from its rc
seivoirs. The Company have never made
such claim. The (old) city corporation, under
its grants from the Company, did claim such a
right against the district of Spring Garden; but
the Supreme Court decided against it, and es
tablished the law as it now stands, by which it
is clear that the present city may draw from
Fairmount pool all the water it needs for dis
tribution from its reservoirs, at least as long
as the quantity so drawn does not interfere
with the use of the river as a highway a ps
riod certainly very remote, and which possibly
may never be reached at all.
But the use of the water-power created by
the d'lin at Fairmount, or by any other dam
on the Schuylkill Navigation, stands upon a
different footing. The only right which the
city has to such use of the water in Fairmount
pool is derived by giant from this Company
under the agreement. The supply of water
in Fairmount pool would bo sullicient, in
periods of the greatest drought, for the wants
both of the Navigation Company and the city,
if the latter did not rely wholly upon that
water for its ioevr at the Fairmount Water
works. The quantity of w ater thus used is
enormous.
The old breast wheels there consume nearly
forty gallons as power for every gallon that
they throw into the reservoirs. The turbines
lately introduced consume twelve. It is solely,
therefore, as a measure of economy, and to
save the cost of an auxiliary steam-engine, to
be used only in seasons of drought, or in event
of accident to tlie dam, that the city now takes
the water, and stops tho navigation in the
manner of which we complain.
1 he grant from the Company to tho city, it
will be seen, was most carefully confined
w ithin the limits by which the Company itself
was restricted by its charter which charter
guards the rights of the public in the river as
a highway, by providing that every such grant
be so framed that it shall not at anytime im
pede or interrupt the navigation. Accord-
ngly, the grant to tho city is only of "tlio
water and water-power that shall remain after
Irawing oil from the dam erected so much as
may no necessary lor tlie purposes oi mo
navigation of said river, canal and locks;" and
it provides also that "the city shall only have
use ol said water as, with the use thereof lor
the purposes ol the navigation aloresaid, will
not reduce it below the surface of said dam,
and keep it so reduced."
We are happy to acknowledge that the city
authorities of the Water-works have generally
faithf ully endeavored to carry out this agree
ment, and in compliance therewith have re
peatedly shut oil' the water from their wheels
when so requested by this Company. But
on the other hand they have often, in what
they naturally considered the discharge of
their duty to the city, deliberately violated
the agreement, and drawn down tho water in
the pool far below tho stipulated point. For
tunately, until recently, the obstructions to
the navigation thus occasioned have not at
any one time been of very long duration, and
the Company has therefore forborne to do
more than remonstrate and urge upon the of
ficers at Fairmount tho recommendation of
such measures as would prevent tlieir recur
rence. Bv referring to the report of tho Chief En
gineer of tlie Water Department of January
28, 18(11, of which a copy is inclosed, it will
be seen that their remonstrances had the do
sired effect, in so far as that officer was con
cerned; and some of his recommendations of
a remedy have from time to time been adopted
by Councils.
The increase of consumption of water by
the city, amounting at the Fairmount works
during the past live years to over twenty-four
per cent, for the mouths of June, July, Au
gust and September, has apparently far ex
ceeded the means of supply during the periods
of drought; and this increase of consumption
is certain to keep pace with tho grow th of the
city. If no additional means of supply are
luimshcd the evil will soon be most loriiiida.
ble.
As already stated, it is now so great as to
cause serious injury to this Company, and all
parties interested in the navigation of the
river. It is an evil full of peril also to the
city; and if her interests alone are considered,
and without any reference to those of this
Company, they would seem to call for imme
diate measures to provide against its reecur
rence in tut lire years.
A cessation of drought can alone relievo the
difficulty involved in tho stoppage either of
the w lu ils at r oirinouiit or tlie navigation, at
the present time. But the future is in the
power of the city. Her duty to herself re
oiiires action; and that duty will not be con
sidend the less urgent because It involves also
the discharge of an undisputed legal obliga
tion.
Referring to tho Chief Engineer of the
Water Department, to whose uniform desire
to do everything in bis power to lessen tho
evils complained of, we wish to bear the
strongest testimony, for a confirmation of the
statements hero made, and expressing a wil
lingness to give any further information that
may be requested upon the subject, I am, very
respei :tlully, your oim-uicih scrui,
W. M. Tiu;UMAN, Secretary.
Office of the Schuylkill -Vr'toii Com-
v.." 417 ll ;ii xti'rrt. l'hiUlihhihiu.
Attmixt 7, 1809. Frederick Graff, Esq.,Chief
Engineer of the W ater vpriiin.-m ui meaty
of Philadelphia Dear Sir: The obstruction to
.i ..t..;,.n r.r ii. in flompanv caused bvtlm
lilt; tint IgaLIWII v. -- - - -j "
...i . r I..n. rtmeiit in drawinir tlx..
tcuuu ui juut ui -- - a
water of Fairmount pool below the level of
the top of Fairmount dam have of late been
so serioms as to make it neaessary on our part
to use every eflort to prevent tlieir recurrence.
With this view we proposo soon to urge upon
the proper authorities to provide a suitable
steam engine, to be used in supplying the re
servoirs of Fairmount during the few weeks in
the year when the water power is insufficient
for that purpose.
Wo proposo this courso in tho first instance,
rather than resort to legal proceedings, be
cause we are aware that every effort on your
part hns been made to comply with tho agree
ment between the city and the Company, under
w hich alone tho former derives its right to use
the water of Fairmount pool as a motive
power, and that tho repeated violations of that
agreement, by drawing off the water below
the level of the dam, are frankly admitted,
and are explained w ithout being attempted to
be legally justified, upon the ground that they
were necessary in order to supply the city
with water. The object of this note is simply
to place upon record tho above facts, and to
express the hope that you will at the eailiest
moment call the attention of tho watering
committee to them, and urge upon that com
mittee the adoption of such measures as aro
in your judgment best adapted to tho case.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(for the Schuylkill Navigation Company,)
W. M. T I LI. u M a n .
Pipor'mnit for Suppliinn the City with Water, Chief
Fimtueer's f'thce, 104 A', tilth ttrec't, l'hilathljhia. An
lin.it 14, li-.C.n! Charles ' Wharton, Esq., Assistant
President Schuylkill NavitiHtiou Company I enr
Sir: As you are aware, the exigencies of thn de
partment have, tor some days past, compelled it to
draw water from Fairmount dam bolow the point
stipulated in the BRrecment between tho citv and
your Company. Although this has furnished much
relief by enabling ns not only to use the amount
thus diawn, but also that wnicli has been retained
in the dam by the consequent stoppage of tho pass
ape ot your loaded boats through the locks, yet at
this time, owing to the continuance of the drought,
and in part to an accident to one of the steam en
gines at the Schuylkill works, the supply in our
rest rvoirs is so low as greatly to imperil not only
the comfort but the safety of the city. Under these,
circumstances, I feel it my duty to make an earnest
appual to your Company not only to close the locks
at Fairmount entirely, but also to draw off their
dams above Fairmount to the utmost extent pos
sible, and to keep your works in that condition un
til the present crisis is over. The question of in
demnity to your Company for the loss it may sus
tain must, of necessity, be left open, it being out of
my power to make any arrangement upon tlie sub
ject, but I am persuaded you may rely with confi
dence on the authorities ot tlie city to do full Justice
on tlio occasion. An immediate reply will greatly
oblige Fh KDKicieK Ouavp,
Chief Engineer of tho Water Department.
Office Schuylkill Kneinntinn Cmnpnny, X. 7 it
Walnut street, Philvlclphia, August li, lsii!)
Frederick (trail', F.sip, Chief Engineer, V. 1.
lear Sir: J ti replv to yours of this date, just re
ceived, 1 have the honor to state that placing full
reliance upon tlio city for indemnity against all
losses and liabilities which this company may incur
in consequence of a compliance with your request.
I have, without awaiting the action of tho mana
gers, assumed the responsibility of acceding to it.
1 have accordingly given order by telegraph that
the locks at Fairinount, be forthwith closed, and tlie
pools above drawn down to tho greatest, possible'
extent the works to remain in this condition until
the emergency to which you refer is over.
Very respectfully and truly vou's,
Chaklks W. Whaktov,
Assistant President.
Telegrams. Philadelphia, Aunust li. ls(I!). To
.James F. Smuh, Heading, Pa : The necessities of
the citv for water are so great that, at the request
of the 'Water Department, we have consented to
close the Fairinount locks entirely, and also to
draw down the dams above to the greatest pjssible
extent, until the emergency is over. Mr. Gr.itl, or
his representative, will be at this ofiice, and I re
quest you to confer with them by telegraph, and
give such orders hs you may think best to carry out
the object of the above arrangement, and supply
water to the wheels at Fairmount. Answer imme
diately. Cuarlks W. Wharton,
Assistant President.
lieadinp, August 14, 18(i9 To C. W. Wharton,
Fan mount: J cannot do anything but mischief bv
drawing down the dams as proposed, because there
will be i.o water to till them up. James F. Smith.
Fainnotint. Aunust 14, 1809. James F. Smith,
Heading: Fxplain your meaning moro fully. As
the navigation is to be entirely suspended until the
drought Ts over w hat harm will it do to draw down
dams w here sucli drawing w in not injure boats
However, If you are clear that no water can bo
spared, say so. Mr. Wharton has gone home.
W. JH. TILUUMAN.
Ri-atlina, Aunust 14, 1K6D Hon. W. M. Tilghraan,
Fail-mount: Jt navigation is to be suspended over
he whole lino then J can draw several dams with
out interfering with boats. Then if Mr. Graff will
immediately put fifteen-inch high strips on Fair
mount dam, to prevent water from going over, 1
can try tno experiment ot drawing down neaviiy.
it there snouiu no no rain, men tuis woniu give re
lief tor two or three days; afterward the situation
will be worse than now. Say what 1 shall do. (rive
me an answer right off. Jamks F. Smith.
Fairmount, Aunust 14, 1SC9 James F. Smith.
Heading: The water is now twelve or fifteen inches
below top of Fairmount dam proper. Send ou
gradually all the water you can spare without in-
inring boats, l ne rate at which von can sen J it
can, we suppose, be regulated to a certain extent by
telegrnus. Three days' supply may be vital to
ruuaucipiiia. w. ai. tilohman,
f KKI). (iltAKF.
Peadinn, Aunust 14. 18'J9. To Fairmount, from
Rending: i will go and draw as much as I can or
dare, to-night. James F. Smith.
(i Hire let the achuylktll JVavviation Uompantl, iv.
417 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, August 21, 1S09
Hon. Daniel M.Fox, Mayor of the city of Phila
delphia Sir: Keferring to my communication to
you of the 11th instant, I have the honor testate
that since that date a further correspondence has
taken place between this Company and the Chief
Engineer of the Water Departments which copies
urei ncloscd for your information as follows:
lbv.i, August 14, t . uralt, Chief engineer, to
Charles W. Vv harton, assistant president.
isiiy, August 14, C. W. Wharton to F. Graff.
lxti, August IS, C. W. Wharton to F. Graff.
lstiti, August 18, F. Graft' to C. V. Wharton.
Abu, telegrams Nos. 1 to 6 Inclusive, dated 14th
Instant. Respectfully,
W. M. Tilohman, Secretary.
Oflice t,J the
mist
Vititnrof the Citu of Philadelphia, Au--W.
M. Tilghiua'u, Esq., Secretary
Schuylkill N
avigation Company Sir: I have to
acknowledge
letters of the
the receipt, in due course, of your
1 ltu and lilst lust., wun lueir sevuiai
he matters to which they refer have
inelosures. T
received my c
tlie subject of
areful consideration, ami will torm
a message from me to Councils this
day.
ery respectfully, yours,
Daniel M. Fox, Mayor.
To His Honor Daniel M. Fox, Mayor of the City
of Philadelphia: The subscribers, recognizing the
inmiTtance of a full simnlv of water, beg leave to
call your attention to the absence of the quantity
requisite to answer the demands of our population
for ordinary uses, and deploring the demand that
would necessarily ensue from any extraordinary
event, such as a calamitous lire, we beg to ask your
aid and influence with the Water Department that
they shall be induced to employ such instrumen
tality and machinery as will keep our reservoirs
lull and mMicientto meet any emergency.
Thomas C. Hill, President ltellauce Insurance
Company; G. W. Wood, Koyal Insurance Com
pany; W. D. Sherrerd & Co.; Thomas H. Mont-
. ... . r. . . . t ....... I.ian.anna Cnnl.
gumery. jresiueni r.uH:t"'00 ...iv
imnv. Ileum li. Montuomery, President In-
mrance Company of Pennsylvania; Charles
Piatt, Vice President Insurance Company of
North America: Henry Lylburn, Secretary
DdHwarn Mutual Insurance Company; Atwood
Smith, General Agout Liverpool and London
m i jik iurUiiM Company; Ulchard s.
Smith, President Union Mutual J"""1"
Compsnv; W. G. Crowell, Secretary Pennsyl
vania Fire Insurance Company; lboinai J.
Maris, President American Fire Insurance
company.
(Circular 1 Offl of the"chiej of Police of
i'oliee will at once detail a umelent number or
officer, to ,lsit every dwelling- -,- ..VTltant,
can upon the proprie u.r. - ---- mer of
work., tartorlM and ","IJl,u&- io.portat.ee of
KlngfhXu8 Sftft article in ttaftr establish-
meuls.
B, order of the Ma jor. u
A CWuiof Police.
SreolKl Order No. M- J? . SLMft
9
sixjetlve district and ur "Y i thB use of the
the necessity of being economic ,1 Vin nersoiiallv
SchuyUill Jater. 4?TJ?XZX
ordinances regulating the nse or water In ths city
the pollen oflie.ers are directed to proceed forth
with, according to law, against the parties violating
the same. .
p.y order of the Mayor.
St. Clair A. Mct.noi.t Attn,
Chief of Police.
Mr. Kinpc moved the reference of the mes
sage to the Committeo on Water. Unani
mously agreed to.
Mr. King offered a resolution, that Frederick
Craff, II. P. M. Birkinblno, with two others to
be by them selected, bo appointed a cominis
sion to consider and report to Councils tho
best plan for supplying the city with water
commensurate with tho rapidly increasing
crow th ol the city. Tlio said commission
shall mnke a thorough and full examination of
the subject, and report to these Councils tho
result of their investigations, and shall be paid
such compensation as shall hereafter be deter
mined by these Councils.
Mr. r ranciscus moved to refer the commu
nicate n to the Committee on Water.
Mr. King earnestly asked that before this
was done a report Bhould be listened to from
the Chief Kngineer of tlio Water-works. To do
otherwise would literally bo egotism. The
gentlemen proposed to be employed upon this
matter were experts, authorized to employ two
others. Let these gentlemen make the proper
observation in detail, and no further scarcity
of water, such as now exists, could ever oc
cur. The speaker had been asked what the
city would do in the existing case. His reply
was, "I will do anything, will vote for anything
that will give the required relief." What
would prove the remedy the speaker knew
not, excepting the means specified in ids mo
tion above.
Mr. Franciscus said that this Chamber was
convened, not to appoint a commission, but to
lind tlie means to supply the city lor the pre
sent with tho water it needed. It was for this
that the present meeting was called. What
the people now want is not "commissions."
but water. And this water they want at once.
It will be time enough when this drought is
over to discuss the question of water-works en
largement; what is now indispensable is an
immediate supply.
Mr. Hodgdon, chairman of the Committee on
Water, reported an ordinance appropriating
S'2o,(i(i() to the payment of damages to the
Schuylkill JS avigation Company for the loss of
employment to their boats; such sum to bo de
ducted from any award subsequently made to
the Navigation in consequence of such loss.
Mr. Hodgdon explained that for some days
past all the water of the navigation had been
turned to the uso ol the V ater Department.
There were some five hundred boats lying high
and dry, to which they could give no water.
The boatmen are deprived of employment for
the present at least.
Mr. King opposed tho appropriation in the
r resent shape. He thought that the !?25,'l00
would be as well spent bv the Committee of
Councils as by special commission.
Mr. bmitli read a letter upon tho subject,
showing that five hundred boats are now lying
high and dry. Many of these people have
their families with them upon tlieir boats.
Ihey are in the main penniless. The ruaviga
tion lias been sending them money and fodder.
Tho ollicers of the Company have been self-
sacrificing in the matter. Tlieir operations
have long been stopped, yet their expenses
have not for a day been diminished from the
usual rate, tiive them this $2o,000, and from
any future award of damages the amount will
be deducted.
Mr. King could not see tho force of this ar
gument. Mr. Hodgdon is a most careful mem
ber. He lias investigated the case, and these
people have certainly been injured. A law suit
looms up in tho distance We are anticipating
it, and rendering a verdict of "guilty" by giv
ing in advance of a verdict the sum of $25,000
for damages sustained by tho Is avigation for
the period of just nine days.
Mr. Cattell deemed tho appropriation but
proper and just. The Navigation shut its
locks and opened its dams, gave up its own
business, and relinquished all its interests to
the interests of the city. They bring no suit
for damages; they go honorably to tho city.
They have a large number of employes, who,
if not restrained by high-toned mtives, might
break through the locks, which now sapply
the city with water from the canal, and pass
on their boats. They could do so if they
pleased. They aro waiting to see what Coun
cils will do. Who will say that the Schuylkill
Navigation ought not to be compensated for
tlie suspension of tlieir business?
Mr. Plumly approved of the resolution.
Many people will now learn for the first time
that Philadelphia is supplied with water by a
private corporation. The damages done to
this corporation would probably be fixed by a
court at a quarter million of dollars. Even
temporarily to satisfy such a power $23 000
is but a tithe of what should bo claimed by
them.
Mr. Stokley said that these boatmen could
not push out the gates of the locks. The
topography of tho canal prevented any such
procedure if it were undertaken.
Mr. Smith thought that tlie Schuylkill Navi
gation Company, if Councils refused this, their
reasonable request, would bo justified in
closing every leak in their works clear down
to tho city of Philadelphia.
Mr. Plumly remarked that the city would
largely be gainers, and would simply manifest
their magnanimity, by the appropriation of tho
$25,000 desired for the payment of damages.
Mr. Duffy thought that we wanted water in
tlie basins. Tho present object was to get
it there. There is water enough in the
Schuylkill..
Mr. Plumly. This afternoon tho Hope
Encine Company will test tlieir skill in pump
ing water into tho reservoir. It will bo time
enough to make appropriations when such
means have failed.
Mr. Hancock thought tho whole subject a
farce.' If the Navigation Company want $25,
000 they can raise it in ten minutes in tho
street. If t a ,l'l?Umr meeting they come
here with a claim of $100,000 damages tho
speaker would vote to pay it. He was not
willine to go home and tell his constituents to
night that lie had given away $25,000 of the
city's money until the Navigation Company
had personally come forward, and, at a regular
meeting, presented their claim.
Mr. Fox said ho had been absent from the
city for several weeks, but the eighteen gen
tlemen of the committee were of such a class
that he should give his entire support to the
wishes of that committee.
The bill then passed without a dissentient
vote. . . . .
Mr. Franciscus then ottered a resolution au
thorizing the Chief Engineer of the Water De
partment to uso any and all means that he may
deem advisable for the supply of water to the
city, either by portable steum engines or other
means. He withdrew it upon learning of the
passage of a resolution to like effect in Com
mon Council. See Common Council report.
Mr. Plumly objected to both resolutions as
superfluous, redundant and unnecessary.
Tho amendment was lost; the resolution
then passed.
Mr. King's resolution, to appoint a commis
sion as above, upon the best plan for supplying
the city with water, was then called up.
Mr. Franciscus witb increased earnestness
Tressed a reference of this subject to the Com
mittee on Water. A corresponding bill in tho
other Chamber had just been so referred.
Mr. Smith didn't care for what Common
Council did. This commission would probably
select as the two coad jutors the chief engineers
of St. Louis and of the Croton Water Depart
ment in New York. The cost might not bo
moro than $10,000; let gentlemen willing to
vote $100,000 to tho Navigation evince tkelr
sincerity by voting for this small amount.
Mr. Marcus deprecated such precipitate leg
islation in so large a direction. In two weeks
tho Chamber will resume its regul ir meetings.
Let not the city prematurely create what may
prove a seriously expensive commission.
Ihe motion to refer to tho Committeo on
Water was agreed to by a large majority of
votes.
A resolution of condolence upon the death
of tho late Alexander Harper w as concurred in.
Adjourned.
Common Branch. This branch of Councils
met in Supremo Court room yesterday. Tho
body was called to order at 3 o'eiock by
Joseph F. Marcer, in the chair.
The call of the Mayor was read, stating tho
reason therefor.
A lengthy communication from the Mayor
was presented and read. Also, a communica
tion from the Chief Engineer of the Water
works. Mr. Willets offered a resolution instructing
the Chief Engineer to inquire into the feasi
bility of employing tho steam engines to fill
the basins.
Mr. Hanna moved to refer to the Committee
on Water. Carried.
Mr. n. Huhn offered a resolution to appoint
a joint committee of five from each Chamber
for the purpose of taking into consideration
the feasibility of using tho waters of tho
Lehigh or other streams for supplying the city
with water. Kefeired.
Mr. Huhn oll'ered an ordinance making an
appropriation of $100,000 lor the purpose of
procuring an auxiliary steam engine to supply
a sullicient quantity of water to the city. Re
ferred. Mr. Bardsley offered the following:
Resolved, by the Select and Common Coun
cils of the city of Philadelphia, That tlio Chief
Engineer of the Water Department bo and ho
is herety instructed to adopt any temporary
measures hisjudgment may suggest to remedy
tho present scarcity of water.
Mr. Kline moved to amend by adding by and
with the consent of the Committee on Water.
The yeas and nays were called, and stood 22
for to 17 against.
Mr. Shoemaker moved to amend by adding
provided the same can be dono without stop
ping the hydrants in any dwelling-houses, and
the expense incurred not to exceed $25,000.
The amendment carried, and on the motion
being read as amended it w as carried.
Mr. Evans oll'ered a resolution appointing
Messrs. Graff and Dirkinbine, together with
two others to be selected by them, a commis
sion to inquire into and make a report on the
best method of supplying tho city with water
Referred to tho Committee on Water
works.
Mr. Martin offered the following resolution
of condolence on the death of Alexander J.
Harper:
Whereas, These Councils being informed of
tlie death of Alexander J. Harper, Esq., who
for nino years was a member of Common
Council, and one year president of said body,
and feeling that it is duo to tlio many virtues
that deceased possessed, that said Councils
should, with becoming respect to his memory,
and sympathizing with his relatives and friends
in their bereavement, show by our action the
esteem and respect that deceased was held by
us; therefore,
Resolved, By the Select and Common Coun
cils of the city of Philadelphia, that we sin
cerely deplore the loss by death of our es
teemed late fellow member, Alexander J
Harper, Esq., who for many years was a mem
ber of Common Council, and by his sterling
integrity, honesty, and capability endeared
himself to us as members, and believing that
tho community have lost a faithful, honest
and tried friend, and his aged parents a true
and constant son.
Resolved, That we tender to tlie family of
tho deceased our united sympathy and con
dolence in tlieir sad aflliction.
Resolved, That the clerks of Councils be
directed to have prepared a copy of the above
preamble and resolutions, and transmit tlie
same to the family of deceased.
Mr. Miller offered a resolution requesting
the Chief Engineer to try the effect of tho
steam engines in filling the reservoirs. Agreed
to.
Mr. nuhn moved that when Councils ad
journ it do so to meet on Tuesday next. Post
poned for the present, till the bill from Select
Council was read.
A report from the Committee on Water
was received from Select Council, with an
ordinance annexed, making an appropriation
of $25,000 to pay the Schuylkill Navigation
Company for supplying tho city with water.
Agreed to. Adjourned.
maws suxvixviAB.'sr.
Cltr Affair..
The mouthly meeting of tho Young Men's
Christian Association wus held last evening at
Hie hall, No. 1210 Chcsnut street, Peter li. Si
mons, President, in tho chair. The essay of the
evening was read by J. II. C'oyle. on the subject
of "Sabbath-school Machinery. ' The subject
for discussion, "Is the modern arrangement for
conducting Sabbath-schools adequate to the
work before 116?" was engaged iu by several
members. Twenty new members were elected
to the Association, after which the meeting ad
journed. A meeting of the superintendents of power
looms in use in the district extending from
Poplar street, north to Hart's lane, and from
It road street east to the Delaware river, was held
last evening at Front and Master streets. It was
stated that there are employed in this district
about 1800 looms, and that the business of tho
superintendents is to keep the looms in working
order. Tho average wages received by the
suneriuteudents is from 110 to 25 per week.
The organization is about four years old, and has
tor its oflleers President, D. V. Taylor; Vice
President, D. Donahue: Recording Secretary,
Frank McKeevcr; Financial Secretary, William
Coddingtou; Treasurer, John Hurl. The em
ployes 111 this district number about 1000.
The distillery of John M. Kelly, northwest
corner of Twelfth mid Uutlonwood' streets, lias
been seized because of assumed Irregularity in
the mode of conducting the business. Super
visor Fulton has ordered the seizure of White,
llentz iV Co. 'a rectifying establishment, No. !W3
N. Second street, not on the ground of fraud,
but because it Is within IKHI feet of a distillery,
aud the assessor of the First district has, for that
reason, retused to assess it, consequently no
license has becu granted. The firm, some
mouths ago. commenced proceedings to cotnpel
the assessor to assess the rectifying house. The
old assessor lluallv did so, but llui new one re
fuses, and he has beeu sued for damages, which
are laid at t.VKm.
General Jaewb Zlelln. of the Marino Corns
of tho I 'nlted States, whoso headquarters are In
Washington, paid an official visit to the Phila
delphia Navy Vard yesterday, aud was received
with the customary salute. Soon after the
General lnsje ied tho several companies of mu
rines at the yard.
Dommtlc Aflnlr.
Gold closed yesterday at 132.
A death occurred iu New York yesterday
from Asiatic cholera.
Captain Shaw yesterday Inspected the
Baltimore Fire Department. ... .
An illicit whisky distillery was seized in tho
Fifth Ward of Brooklyn yesterday.
The Christian Church, lately built at Sey
mour, Indiana, was burned down yesterday.
Another lock is to be placed on each of tho
vault doors of the Treasury Department.
The Treasury Department saves tVJ,000 per
month by tho late dismissal of unnecessary
clerks.
On Sunday night Joseph Derrick was
stabbed and fatally Injured at Albany, N. Y.
Adam Simmer and Bastlan Dollar are under
arrest charged with tho oflense.
George Uurnaelc and his wife, a newly mar
ried couple, of Louisville, Kv., yesterday drank
v vt, iiiniiiv. umt miisiieu juu im
bibing beer treated with morphine and arsenic.
Result a dead couple.
The Democratic Carbon County Convention
assembled ot Mauch Chunk yesterday, and
elected delegates to the Senatorial Conference,
wnowuiiavor the nomination of tho Hon. A.
G. Urodhead, of Mauch Chunk.
THE WATER SUPPLY.
Trial of a Strnin Fire Knalnr.
The mooted question of whether steam fire
engines could be made available in pumping
water into the Fairmount reservoir from tho
rairmount dam was put to a practical test yes
terday afternoon. Chief Engineer Downey de
tailed the Hope tire hnglne to proceed to Fair
mount and make the experiment. The steamer
reached I lie steamboat landing just north of the
Water Works about 5 o'clock, and proceeded to
the trial In tho presence of a number ot mem
bers of Councils, city olllcluls, engineers, and a
good gathering of spectators genenvllv.
considerable delay was experienced in drug
ging the hose tlirounh which the water was to
be forced to the top of Fairmount. This hoso
was pulled up the steep ascent in as direct a Hue
as the formation of the ground would allow, and
when the noz.le end was in close proximity to
the rest rvolr the engine got up steam and pro
ceeded to force water from the river. The first
attempt was a failure, In consequence of tho
hose bursting In some weak point before tho
wider reached the reservoir. A second and a
third attempt failed from similar causes, but ou
the fourth trial, the line of hose being in per
fectly sound condition, the steamer got fairly to
work, and in the course of an hour, with u pres
sure of seventy pounds of steam, water was
forced into the reservoir at the rate of about four
hundred gallons per minute.
This would make for one engine about 21,000
gallons per hour, or '.'SH.OOO gallons in twelve
hours. If the entire Fire Department were
brought Into requisition, consisting of forty-six
steam engines, the amount of water pumped
would be i:i 248, 000 gallons of water iu twelve
hours. During the month of August about
'..'5,(100,000 gallons is the average daily consump
tion, and supposing each engine of the Fire De
partment capable of doing for twelve hours the
work performed by the Hope yesterday, during
her short trial, it follows that the steam engines
are capable of pumping into Fairmount reservoir
something less limn Unit ot tlio daily demands
made on the Fairmount works. During the
lime the Hope was In service yesterday the hose
leading to the
reservoir was about two-thirds
full of water.
It appears from yesterday's experiment that
the principal question is strength of hose, as far
as availability of steam lire engines is concerned
in the present dilemma. It Is thought that there
would be no great difficulty in placing galvanized
Iron pipes from the foot to the top of Fairinount,
and let the steamers force water through these
pipes.
This afternoon the experiment will bo re
newed, oud three steam engiues will bo detailed
for duty at Fairmount by Chief Engineer
Downey.
GETTl'SIIURU.
Tlie t'amlna Itrimlon an tlm llnllle Field Tho
Kebel (.i-iit-niU who Deellnc.
Invitations were Issued to tho following Con
federate otlicers to attend the Gettysburg re
union: General Robert E. Lee, General John B.Wood,
commanding Right Division of General Loug-
Piekett, General G. II. Stuart, General Wade
Hampton, General H. Ileth, General Komper,
Major H. K. Douglass, General James A.Walker,
General William Smith, known as "Extra
Billy;" General John S. Moseby, General K. 1).
Lilly, General J. K. Trimble, and General J. D.
Imbodcu.
GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE DECLINES.
The following are tho only auswers from these
Confederate Generals:
Lexinoton, Ya., Aug. 5, 180!). Dear Sir:
Absence from Lexington has prevented my re
ceiving until to-day your letter of the 2l!th ult.,
inclosing an Invitation from the Gettysburg:
BaUlc-ficld Memorial Association, to attend it
meeting of the officers engaged in that battle at
Gettysburg, for tho purpose of marking upon
the ground by enduring memorials of granite
the position and movements of the armies on
tho field. My engagements will not permit mo
to be present. 1 believo, if there, I could not
add anything material to tho Information exist
ing ou tho subject. I think It wiser, moreover,
not to keep open the sores of war, but to follow
the examples of those nations who endeavored
to obliterate the marks of civil strife, to commit
to oblivion the feelings it engendered.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. Lee.
riTz-uron lee's orixioN.
Ric hland, Stafford county, Va., Aug. ltVJ'lW!).
Don. D. McCouaghy, Secretary Gettysburg-Battle-field
Memorial Association: Dear Sir 1
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt,
through General R. E. Leo, at Lexington, of a
hospitable invitation to attend tho "reuulon" of
the principal ollicers of the two armies that
fought for tho field of Gettysburg. It will not
be in my power to bo present at tho time indi
cated, viz., hist week In August. My division
of cavalry reached Gettysburg on tho afternoon
of the 'M July, 1803, was placed upon the left
of our army, together with General Wade
Hampton's division, tho whole being under
tlie command of General J. E. B. Stuart.
General lee's Chief of Cavalry, at that
time; fought during the 3d with the cavalry
upon the right Hank of the ("your" struck out
and following substituted) Federal army. Stuart,
Hampton, and I had been absent from the army
with our cavalry from the time it loft Virginia
until the above time. Any information that I
may possess on the subject matter of your com
munication will be cheerfully rendered. I rather
think, though, and 1 write It In all kindness, sir,
that if the nation is to continue as a whole, it is,
better to forget and forgive rather than perpetu
ate in granite proofs of its civil wars. Sincerely
thanking you and your Association for the con
ciliatory spirit which prompted a courteous In
vitation, I am, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, Fitz-Hugu Lee.
geneuallonostreet's letter.
New Orleans, La., Aug. 12, 18159 Dear Sir:
Your interesting letter, of the 80th ultimo, via
Saratoga, Is just received. A few days previous,
I wrote to advise you that Important affairs
would detain nie In the city during tho season.
In reply to your inquiry as to tho best mode of
securing the assistance of tho Southern gentle
men iu marking the different points of tho field,
1 con only answer for myself. Other persons,
residents of this city, who were thero, aro now
absent, or I should consult them and send you
their views. I would be pleased to visit Gettys
burg at any time when I ean leave New Orleans,
tut I do not think It possible for nie to do so
this year. I would prefer to make the visit
with as many persons as can be gotten there, but
if I can only do so by myself, I would prefer
such a visit rather than none, if I would bo likely
to find some one there to assist me in marking
the points and lines of the field. I am, sir, very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
jAMEaLONGSTliEBT.