, 1859-02-16

XnE N1COltuQ 1-AFE13G0ks
Editors Prem ind Tribune:
Some weeks ago wrote IN article advocating
the "Nito'sou pavement rs ihc only thing as ye
introduced here, likely to answer the ends requsr
ed. Further observation and investigation oui.
condrm me in my views, aud reiterate mos
earnestly my previously expressed opinions.
| l observe in your issue Of Monday, an articl.
signed "cn1oAao," aud propose to nstlce sout
bs the statements made by this writer. lie quotes
from the ''Ofacial R-part Of Alfred 7. Turner:
| Superintendent Of Streets Of the City Of Boston
TO the City Council Of that City, on the l2.h jana
ary, 1857" will quote from the report Of The
same gentleman made 10 the same Council On tic
6th January, 1859.
THE Nicolson pavement, j el,ould think, might
be adapted IL tt,e Southern and Western cities on
account OF the abuye mentioned advantages, and
because wood Is cheaper III those localities, and
suitable stone very difficult IL procure"
He asks. =" will tue property holders Of Chi
cago learn the tru" worth Of ttis patent wooden
pavement at their cost, l.: :" hope tha tsiA
learn its true worth. es ~ith such knowledge the
condemnation Of ''ccbbies, as laid in Il citY,
il cure to result; ;nd an very confident that
the cost Of this lnuv'edgs will be less to pro-
perty holders. than The expense Of the "cob-
Bile experience hss already proved.
The cost Of this 'Doe:uu " eahhla pavement,
which il quoted Is being cheaper, 62, than oil
others. "a compared with the Eicorson," il to
be found in the following statement
1quote now from this Same report of Mr. Tur-
ner. "The cost Of this style of pavement (the
kidney cobole s.one) varies from 81 50 TO $l76
per square vsrd.'
The ''Ncotson' is offered to be nut down
here for 81 50 per square yard.
1t must be borne in mind that this peoble
Rasemeut can be laid in the city Of Roason At AZ
low price 1s IN any other City, probably lower;
aud that these figures are the actual oost Of d.
ing the work, including material, with no ex.
penees Of contractors protits, assessments, etc:
for Boston does this work WITH her own work.
mes.
Adding thesr expenses Of contractors protiss.
assessments, the higher rate Of labor here, and
the freight upon the proper quallty Of bon1ders
prove pretty expensive Que. think. costing
not icss thun $50 per s}uare yard.
One word IS to the reference made to this
81 'Nlcolson" pavement, a. being ia the hands of
one nlsu, and not open 10 competition. 1t is a
tor1nnate thing for property holders that this is
10, and that it IL In the hBnds Of IN honorable
tncn; and no peraou kno.ing the gentleman
who hu1ds the right to this ''Nlcolson" pave
rnent in this city, dare gainsaY the proposition,
for they muy rest assured that the work will be-
done thoroughly aud we'll, which would be- q
n's,ter Of great queh'lon, were the thing open to
II has been urged neainst Ibis " "Sicolson
pavement" "thRt the contractor was likely to
make too much morey on the job" Why there
Was contract circulated here Upon Clark street,
binding the siRoers to pay at the rate of IS. so
per ineal foot, for I" cob5le" stones, and not
word Of invitation given for competition. and
when the matter was brought before the Com-
mfttee, responsible contractor offered to do
the same work for Sc 50 per lincst foot, making
{ differences in the total for the distauce pro.
posed to be paved, Of sc, 900. Why did not
these gentlemen, WHO are 60 careful Of the in
tsrests Of Il property holders" enter their pro-
test against TINT contract, instead Of urging it
upon the people: The reasons must be obv,ons,
and property holdera will doubtless draw tue
correct inference from the facts.
The quotation from the Post might Is well
hare been omitted, for it will hardly decive cuT
one+ The wooden pavements referred to by the
writer ofthat attiole. bear no more resemblance
to " "Sicotaon" than The kidney Cobble''
pavement Of Mr.. Turner Of Bostop, bea-a to
the miserable " Boulder" pavement Of Chicago.
The writer Of that article probably never Eaw .
piece of "NIcolson" pavement in his life. Evi-
dently be katzo nothing about it.
| wish to statr distinctly the: Mr. Greeley
knew nothing Of my writing tbs piece which
you were 60 Kind as to publish before, but that
was prompted 70 the writing of simply from
my interest in seeing the best and most improv-
ing pavement laid in our city.
Once more. AK property holders to investi.
gate thoroughly this matter befors deciding
4 PaorER1E HoLDxR AND Tax PAYxR
Or CLARK SfREEr.