Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1842-05-20

Oua LAxD1xe.-A few days since we observed
several workmen actively engaged in excavatlng the
river bank below Chestnut street, or rather removing
steep mound made by the dirt taken out OF ceal'
which led US to believe that the new board OF lrus
tees had determined to commence, in earnest, with
the necessary improvement of the town. Upon en-
quiry however, we learned that it was being done at
private expense, the lessee Of property nearly in its
rear, doing for the advantage it would be to him
alone, as citizen. Why this improvement has SO
long been delayed, or why it has to be done, if done
At oil, at private expense we cannot divine, unless
we attribute j: to not very credltable to the
public spirit of those concerned and whose business
il was to see that matters were differently arranged
If there is any thing which gives an imposing APP
peaxanee to place. or adds value to property IN 1t
or its vicinity, 1t is neat clean and convenient Ian
ding. Our country has been mostly settled by emf
grants coming to it by the river, consequently our
neglect in the improvement of the wharf has given
many an emigrant an unfavorable opinion Of the en-
teprze and public spirit Of our citizens, not easily to
be eradicated and may have deferred others on the
Z" look OUT from making their homes among U.S.
And why should it not! Until last season, when
a little improvement was made at private expense,
we had but narrow, steep, and rough passage to
the steamboat landing the bank, in all other places
being in its natural state, where piles Of dirt
were made in digging cellars covered with rotten
logs, drift timber, halle, sumach, and other offensive
bushes while the space Of public ground on the bank
was covered with heavy growth Of weeds, emitting
on odor as unpleasant to the smell as uncomely
to the sight. Such scene betrays want Of public
spirit to extent highly discreditable to the town.
It is with regret we make this confession, as it must
reach eyes abroad but is to the interest of all con-
cerned that it should be remedied, if remedy
be produced by it, it will make ample amends for any
injury the publication may effect.
The expenditure of small amount of money in
grading the bank and clearing away the weeds and
bushes, would give our place much handsomer APP
pearance and lead emigrants to believe that we were
not all for SELF caring nothing for others. The want Of
it is SO apparent to all that hazard nothing in say
ing that if the board of Trustees will give its assist
ancs the citizens will not be backward in making
contributions.
Besides what we have STATED. there is another
matter of general interest that should be attended to-
In low stages of WATER boats Of the lightest drought
in the upper trade cannot effect landing at our
shore, without doubling their longest planks With
but little expense compared with its importance,
wharf can be made affording a convenient landing
for steamboats, at all stages Of water. In this too,
the citizens will extend their aid.
These are but a small portion ofthe improvements
which should be made, but large, doses not unfre-
quently produce evil effects we shall reserve others
for future notice.
There is yet, however, another subject to which
we would call the attention Of the Board and as our
suggestions require outlay the public funds, we
shall do it with great confidence in its compliance
We allude to the manner of terminating drains to
cellars on our wharf, At present the water is con-
Quoted to the bank and there suffered to scatter over
the ground. keeping the inclined space in many pla-
ces, complete bed of mortar, or mud. This should
no longer be allowed. Persons draining cellars
should be compelled to extend the drains to the waters
edge. and thereby allow our wharf, at sometimes to
permit goods to be landed without damage.