538 I Assembly" 



o death is the highest yet ascertained of the whole population of 

 any city, beini: upwards of forty years, or at least ten years higher 

 than in New York ; the births but slightly exceed the deaths, aud 

 there is but a slow increase of the population. They pay great 

 attention to drainage, temperance and cleanliness, and do not 

 permit the refuse matters to be discharged from towns and build- 

 ings, consisting of disintegrated debris of pavements, superfluous 

 rain water, solid and liquid excrementitious matters, the products 

 of combustion, and the refuse of vegetable and animal substances, 

 besides sundry waste matters used in manufactures, into the 

 streets, but through proper subterranean channels to a lower 

 level, where by artificial means they are rendered fit for agricul- 

 tural purposes. Our city is admirably situated to accomplish 

 this most desirable end, and seven hundred thousand acres of 

 land might be rendered fertile annually if the refuse could be 

 collected on the banks of our noble rivers in proper reservoirs, 

 and when deprived of the liquids, be conveyed in suitable barges 

 to the agricultural districts. The purposes of drainage of towns 

 and cities are twofold, to wit : the supply of water, and the is- 

 posal of refuse substances. Who will deny that there is not 

 water enough to supply all the demands of this great city within 

 twenty feet of the surface, if by proper drainage the filth had 

 been prevented from contaminating the spring veins by percola- 

 tion. 



Mr. Clapp, referring to the drainage of cities, would suggest 

 that some better method should be adopted to cleanse sewers. 

 The stench, especially in summer, from the "breathing holes" 

 was very deleterious. He would propose that there be connec- 

 tion between the large mains and sewers established occasionally 

 by the opening of a gate between them; that when the water was 

 running to waste this might conveniently be done. 



Mr. Purdy said, health, cleanliness, and comfort were import- 

 ant. In this city and others, there are little yards undrained and 

 comparatively useless. It is of no possible use attempting to 

 cultivate little plots in the city, unless the soil be made deep and 



