The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-12-15
Psvements and Wagons.

The outlay Of this City for pavements is kea
w. We are eudeavor -ng to extend our paved
streets annually, and the repairs of the most
travelled thoroughfares added to the expenditure
on this account forms no light or trifling sggre-
gate. The subject il growing in Importance aruu
ally and becomes one CT serious consideration with
the City Legislators. The larger cities have reg
Glatione for the preservation of the payements
which years of experience have suggested aud ma
tured. 1t 10 time that we were giving more attsn-
ton to orr ordinances for the same OF ject We
have q law which prohibits a wagon from trans
porting more than certain weight, save whore
the article transported is incapable of DIVISION
This law ought to have been enforced. There is
another law against fast driving heavily loaded or.
indeed, any kind of wagons We rather think
they are but lit s more than dead letters
The day 10 not remote when complete reforma-
fion Of the system of dfayase Will have to take
place. All who have watched events in Richmond
know how slow such reformation must take
place. Why, the mere matter OF raising the sides
Of coal carts to prevent the coal from falling into
the streets from them as they passed along, re.
auired as much elaboration in the Council. IA the
maturing of tariff bill in Congress. Cary street
was once A. black as night, from tho coal iolted
from carts. The nuisances Of black dust, black
walls and black streets became unendurabIe.-
The remedy was simple and economical, yet such
storm as the proposed alteration in the bodies of
the carts for this purpose, occasioned was enough
TO alarm the Council After great exertiors hy
some of the boldest of its members, the measure
was carried and the remedy was complete.
The new measures cow required are Of q more
serious character They will take more time. and
demand more frrnness. They look to widening tie
tires of drays and wagous-the intuition Of the
number OF horses or mules allowable in one yehi,
cIe-and to the burden allowable except where
bulk cannot be broken. Tho present STYLE of four
horse wagons is not suited to the streets and especi
ally those that are not extremely wide Where a
wagon backs up to the side walk of Cary sreetit is
almost obstructed. The weight they carry is too
much-their tires are too narrow-and they go too
fast. If one will stand on Cary street and watch
the progress of the long line of four horse teams
as they trot down that street, hs " Ill wonder how
II 10 that the pavement holds out as IL does From
stone to stone the heavy laden and narrow wheels
jump, striking every single one 1t meets blow
heavier than any siedge ham amer Our pavements
admirably put down, but it is not In the inge.
puity Of man to lay down q pavement that win
stand such usage. Our streets In places which
were not long since relaid are now broken and ter
ribly uneven. Soon Cary street must be reiaid
and We progress and the transportation along Oh.
streets increases, the intervals Of these repairs
must be shortened, and the annual outlay for
paving greatly increased.
Tho subjecs is one deserving consider atom.
Any reform must be slow, and therefore, it il the
more important, that it be begun soon.