Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-12-04

number OF law suits that must take pInc
VI some remedy is not speedily adopted
this would coniine litigation to par,,c,
lar square, and in a measure snperccsI
the necessity of special surveys in future
as the ground contained in those square
can be ascertained by simple measure
ment on the several streets from the per
manent land marks, it is proposed to plac.
at The corner Of every square, for expe
'rience teaches Us the inpractibility o.
making All accurate survey under existing
circumstances with the best instrument ia
use among us; this has been accounted
lor-by some to proceed from local as well
as other Causes; be that as it may, il AL
ways produces disasreeable sensations to
the parties interested, as well a. the ar
tist employed to make the survey, and
must Ultimately end in disorder and con.
fusion.
As 10 the probable expense, fear none
are able at this time to calculate it with
precision, but am persuaded that the part
mat would lie incurred by opening new
streets would be much less than is curn-
monty calculated upon, as il is resuri,ea
this would not be done except it be found
10 De beneficial to the proprietors, as we'll
as the city at large; for should il be ne
cessary TO open or extend a street in any
part OF the city In such manner as 10
take more ground from some of the adj
Joining projectors than others, those
who enjoy the benefit of the street should
pay IN proportion 10 such benefit. In re-
gard TO the width of streets much has
oeen said by persons OF experience and
Judgment, who all seem to agree that
convenience and health should be princi-
patty attended 10, these seem to require
not more than e6 feet at most, as thar
width would give space sufficient for
trsnsactlnss the business Of this place as
well as Tree current Of air along the
streets; less would perhaps be too cum
nnsd' and more would be too expensive
TO be paved and kept in good repair. Z,
The power granted to the city by the
General Assembly ofVirginia at their last
session to open and extend certain streets
therein mentioned, conceive deTcctiya
III two very important points; tirst, it is
conhned to particular parts of the city,
and secondly, there is 40 power given TO
the jury TO enquire into the advantages
that the adjoining proprietor or proprle.
tors would derive by the opening, shut
ing or extending such slreets, lanes or
alleys as might be deemed expedient by
The said commissioners 10 alter; these to.
gether compose the second subject for
consideration that is, how this expense
could be proporiioned SO that each may
as near as possible bear their equitable
qusntum Of the same.
The power to equalize this expense, I
am persuaded wauld be safe to be given
10 the commissioners, as il could by them
be capitalized with less expense and per.
haps with more equity than it could l.os-
sibiy be done By jury, for it would be
absurd TO suppose that any person owning
ground sufficient to build on each side Of
any new street 1t may be.nccessary to O.
pen orexIend would su,ain any damage
thereby, so itwouid be but equity and Jus
tee that the property adjoining sueh street
that has not been curtailcd thereby, should
pay IN proportion to the benefit arising
froin TIE same this appears to be We
~ important enquiry whether by Jury.
commissioners or otherwise, as il would
IN measure place the expense on the
property benefited by the alteration BIZ,
asthe city at large would, am persoa,S
ed, DC greatly benefited by such arrange
ment ofthc several squares, streets, lanes
ard alleys throughout the same, IL is but
right that all should pay something to-
wards an expense SO necessarily incurred.
A CITIZEN.