True American. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1835-18??, 1838-09-29
MR.. CALDWELL'S STATEMENT,
Ans,oers 10 The Report in favor Of Round Stone
Pdrenaents.

NhS. OALDW ELL . 0IAIEM EN-. =
Ans'oers TO The Report in favor Of Round Sion.
Paren,ents. ~
Fsitsw CHisens-It is generally known that /
have ever been strenuous advocate for changing
the manner, and material, of our present pave.
ments; but my reasons for 50 doing are not equally
public, for while every sophlstry which the up.
holders of things as they are, and abuses as thew
exist, has been extensively, and officially prom ul-
gated, have been entirely shut out from urging
nay own position, OF replying 10 theirs.
The following facts, and arguments, are intend
% as answers I" the report made BY the majority
Of the Committee on Streets and Landings, and
would not have appeared in this unofficial form
had an opportunity been afforded me Of presenting
them through the sanction Of the Municipal
Council.
have long been convinced that round stone
nts in this city, obnoxious to every spe.
cies of sensurc,-as oxtravagant incon vepient. in
furious, noisy dirty and indirectly onerous in tho
extreme, 10 every cit zen; and having attenti, civ
examined the su6ject,-having carefully weighed
Inc experience, and practice, Of every enlightened
community, and carefully reflected on evory at
tempt at proof offered in defence of this style of
pavement BY lts advocates here, cannot find any
reason tor change ofopnon, nor even the slight.
es' resemblance OF an argument in all the sophis-
try used in its support l naturally feel some az,
sufance that my opinion cannot be very incorrect
a. inc authorities in New York, Philadelphia, Bos-
ton, Baltimore, and all the large cities, are exp!o.
oihg this very pavement us worse than useless,
and adopting one of blocks Of stone, or wood, in
its stead: and while such is the cuse, canno, but
iesi that there Ii some ground work for the sneers
OF distant fellow citizens that tho enterprsing in
nobitants Of Now Oreans arc behind the jntelli.
gsnce OF the age, since they seen perpstuatinp
that abuse which the enlightened of every city in
EUROPE or America, area'discardng as one utterly
worthless.
do, indeed dissent in toto from the opinions of
the majority of tho committee of streets and land
ngs, and influenced by the purest patriotism, and
aJust sense OF tho duty owing to my constituents,
make this ono more effort in favor of what
deem the cause of the People, and of Truth.
40 strongy object to continuing the contract
win Mr. MInturn for round stone, or pebble pave.
eh'' al W por square yard because, in the first
place, conscienously believe IT the worst that can
% us'd and, in the second place. because, if in de-
nance OF reason, and the wishes of tho people, round
S.one pavement 10 to be used, Justice to those who
oeiegated the Council, imperatively demands that
the lowest offer should be- aceeptcd;-,hut their
money shall not be usslessly, and douby squandsr-
co. merely to continue an old abuse in the same
hands, but that the proposal of Owen Cook to con.
tract for the same at 81 per square yard should be
accepted. If pebble pavement is to be forced on
inc community, why is any particular individual to
other will take7
The difference of opinion between the MAORI.
~ OF tho Streets and Landings committee nnd nv.
sell on the subject of Mr.. Minlurn's contract, is
'ais:-i wish to adhere to Mr.. Minturn's own
oner 10 pave Ave thousand yards of cubic
docks at VA so. and twenty thousand more at
COST, without cent of profit and for tho benefit of
inc municipality on condition of contract for
aoooo square yards OF round stones-The MAORI.
~ have changed this contract, allowing Mr.. Min
turn ttty thousand yards of pebble pavement and
permitting him to throw up his offer to pave 25,.
ooo yards OF cubic blocks, at cost, if no finds it
Improbable on furnishing 5000.
bofore gong into the relative merits of round
ana square stones for the purpose of paving, beg
Als'lhsy to state that the pavement made by tie
pte'ei' contractor, Is tine very worst sort OF this
very worst Pavcment.-The only principle on
which pebble pavement can be made TO be- toernble
Id observing uniiormityin the sizes of the stones
proved III Philadelphia, and other cities, where
every one has to pass througha four six, or eight
men rihg' us the case may be: whereas in New Or.
seans, stones varying from 3 inches, TO A. are pro-
hlscuouSly thrown together, and by thor incon-
G'uots 'oths ana sizes, cause every evil to which
pavement can be liable,
My only ohjcet-my only wish, is TO follow the
example OF every enlightened community: TO IRE.
vent Tie city OF New Orleans from falling in tho
soaf OF any IN The march of improvement, and
would therefore abolish the Justly dsca rdcd round
stone pavement, and adopt in it's stead one formed
OF cnoic blocks of granitc, hexngonal blocks of
wooo' tue formor to DO pu' cd in the business
tnoroughfares,-the latter in tho non.conmercial
Ulun Il ob,,;nn
Block pavements can be procured as fnrt az no.
CURED TO meet the views, and wishes, Of the citi
zens: four responsible parties having offered TO
contract for "a 900 yards mare of square stones, an
nuaIly, than has been hitherto used of round; and
thus, If permitted, every street in the ia xabe limits
OF tne municipality can be durably paved, and in
loss time than now occupied in laying pebbles that
are hourly breaking up.
80 Tar from refund stone pavement being CHEAP.
or than granite blocks, am now perfectly /
prepared TO prove 1t to be far more expensive nav.
that wore It removed. and abolished, entirely, the
direct and indirect taxos that would be saved
TO The community, would in three years. more ,hun
pay the entire expenses of the new, square, pave
ments. The contract price with Mr. Mlnturn for
pebbles, is So so per squire yard, laid down.+,he
contractors for the granite blocks offer to bring
mem 10 the Levess at the same price, which to fin.
leh ana complete, IN every way, would cost IS cts
per yard an addition This pavemA,h whom once
put down, would last for half century, while
round stone paven'ents daily out OF repair The
expense of all the crossings ia extra: the con,rac
. . Mr.. M,nturh, charging cents per foot and
the council finding all the laerals the entire OK.
penses OF which might be saved, IN eyexv portion
ofa block pavement Gun bo used as cruising
place.
The estimate of only ono per cent, for repairinp
pebble pavement. liz an utter fallacy. The con.
lrnct :or repairs last year was SO, iOO:-for this
year It is 81, o00;-wthn two years Gravier street.
from Ichoploulas st. 10 near Buronut street. hns
.een entirely relaid at cost Of $4,000: and St.
Charles st. also, from Gravler 10 Common IT. AZ n
charge of $4,000 more. What arc these but r,pnirs?
1 he entire OF Now Levee must be Immediately re.
aid' and will cost about Sl56, 900, although not
'Ver an average OF tivo years in wear, and con.
HAntiy undergoing some amendments Are not
uch large additional OUTLAWS to b. churyed to re-
'aiIsf II this amount expended in about two wears
ma nall, be taken as "a criterion, all the round
tone pa. sments will be renewed in about Z years;
mo as The contractor receives 20 OF tor relay
ng, every squire yard OF round stone pavement in
he course OF 50 years will cost SIG 90 besides the
ate OF per cent exclusive of the relay of New
eVee tor ordinary ropairsas proved by tho s35 900
aid la the last Two years, to the contractors for
opalrIng and reaying these pebbles: while granite
locks at an original cost of 81 49, will endure tho
alf century through, without than half per
ent. per annlim, for repairs by the estimate
i their vehement opponents Nor is it, by any
,eahs, certain that granite could not be procured
ven at less price, If the Council pould publicly
dpertise for proposais and give time for their
IL Is 30 years to run,t scarcely worth combat,
ng the objection OF the maj orIty of the said COM i
li.tee, that the City cannot afford pay for larger
riced article, since long before those bonds ina a
re the difference will BIO more than ten times IA.
ID in the item of repairs alone. t