Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1858-12-22
1870.

The sxBsrieace Of the present season Las oe-
no,s,rated that nothing short Of . substantial
having Of boulasrss on our principal Streets
will adeoustsIy answer the purposes Of the in
nepse business Of our city. Fresh gravel has
besp placed upon three or four Of the principal
streets, during the fan and summer, the sireets
have been rounded up, according 70 the most
spprovsd mode, and even the gravel has bee
Constantly thrown up to the CENTER whenever
II has been displseed. Now look at them
Iook AT Main. look at Madison Already has
the sub-strntum Of mud oozed up and inuuda-
~ them with its filth. Before the season
shall have expired it would be difficult for a
bsboldsr to conjecture whether or not there
had ever been any attempt to make solid
streets, and what was the material attempted
70 be used. We take it for granted that there
can no longer be any intelligent controversy On
that point. The time for argument on this
question ought surely 10 have passed BY, when
observation alone ought to convince every wit
ness that gravel has had it's day, and has faiied,
uf.erly failed, to produce the results predicted
for II.
We regard It as alncst an insult to the cou-
mon intelligence TO maintain that graveiied
streets have proved adequate or can prove sd-
eouats to cur wants. The experiment has been
fully and fairly tried, at an immense cest 20 the
city, and the benefit has yet 70 be perceived, 70
the degree predicted or anticipated. We in
dulge in no censurs or complaint on account Of
the experiment. It was natural and proper
that the cheapest and most expeditions plan
for paving should be tried first. Upon this
principle the authorities aud citizens have
heretofore acted, and The experiment has prov
ed a failure. The failure having been notori-
Gus and patent to common observation, d is
now right that soRe other plan should Be pro-
jscted and carried out-some permanent and
durable system. After long elaboration, we
are satisfied that nothing will serve the de-
mands Of business, but q fousdation Of heavy
and wsll-lsid boulders, with fine gravel to nh
the intsrstices and make it smooth We are
told that these may be brought here and laid
down at a cost Of s. 50 per square yard or say
from 500. 600 to $4,000 per mile, according 10
the width Of the street. We well know that
this costly and herculesn work cannot be &C
complshed in a year, or half a dozen years.
It mast be the work Of time. # will only
be necessary thus to boulder some half a dozen
streets. upon which is the heaviest travel and
the greatest " wear and tear" The others may
be graveled. andWill not wear out ss 90 The priI-
cipsI business streets. What We advocate, is
slnply that the work be commenced al cree, or
s. soon as the sssssn viii permit. 1--we can only
progress with a quarter Of a mile a year, We
will be doing away with the miserab bic old sys
ten, and laying g substantial and permanent
foundation for the future. We would not in
v0lge the city in additional debt, CT draw one
cent more from the taxpayers we only Wlsh
to see one half OF the amount now uis-speHt
appropriated to 2 permanent and durable sys-
ten that WI be a credit to our citizens. All
nov see (even the b%liDdest) that our city is
bound to be the great shfrspOf for an immense
and constantly increasing business. TIE num-
Der Of vehicles passing cur principal thorough
fares Is a wonder to all strangers Let US then
speedily rid ourselves Of The disgrace Of sueA
streets as We are for the present compelled to
endure