The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-03-03

was appointed by the Council to inquire into
the expediency of Opening Metcalf lane. -
Whether that committee ever did enquire
into the expediency" or not, is more than
we can say; this we know, that they never
reported, and thus the matter died died
probably because OF the neglect OF that com
mittee. There is trite saying that, "ev1.
rything comes ia use once in saven years"
Ii this is true, thee this CON Mite. Rll
come in use again, and it is possible that
the Council, under the impression that the
old Committee will never report will at
their next meeting appoint new one, who
we are sure will do better than their prede-
cessors, aad will be abl. to report that il is
"expedient," and will be able 90 render that
report in seven days instead OF seven Years.
This We think "expedient" only expe-
dent, but perfectly right and proper We
think that the moral and physical health of
our city demand it, and see no good cause
why.it should not b. done at once. There
are but slight signs of improvem ent ia that
neighborhood now; but supp use the proper
ty holders on that lane should take 1t in
their heads to improve their lots, and should
build Immediately upon the line, does it not
occur TO all that it would cost more to con.
denim the property than it will now, while so
little of the property on the west side is
improved Moreover, we learn that the
Board of Health have voted the buildings
at the corner of Cove street and Metcalf
lane nuisance. If this is 80, could they
net be removed now at less cost than when
the owner has gone to the expense of re-
moving that nuisance; would not the open
ng of that lane make it such thor oughfars
that the owners of lots would be induced to
build and would not this improvement of
lots increase the receipts of taxes to an ex-
tent almost sufficient to pay the interest on
the cost of the work we think it would;
we think that the increased assessment on the
property would fully meet the interest on
the outlay.
1t may be said "the city has no money!"
suppose sne mas none, Is tnere no property
in the corporation belonging to the city
which is yielding no revenue? and ii there
is, would it not be Infinitely better to sell
that property and invest it in improvements
which are actually needed, snd which would
yield An income in the shape of taxes, as
would surely be the case with the property
air 10 nt IL
open2 We have ever thought that the city
was not benefited by holding the property
at the foot of Wide Water street, known as
the Tobacco Warehouses;" the rent on this
property does little more-if any--th pay
the state taxes, and the cost Of repairs. Ii
such are the facts, would it not be better to
sell this property, realise positive inco nae
from it in the shape of taxes, and invest the
proceeds OF that aale ia the Metcalt lane i'm
provement? woald it not be "a wise policy
to invest the ten thousand dollars, arising
from the sale OF the depot lots in this i'm
provement, and cannot the city well afford
it, since that property will now yield reve.
nue w VIC oiey WuASu 10 Moi tuon IL mas
EVERYONE before.
And are the people not tired Of this moral
tester on the side OF Main street; have not
the peaceful and moral inhabitants all
around that precinct of iniquity been sub.
jected to the annoyance and trouble of the
absolute and immoral women who inhabit il,
long enough; have not their senses of sight,
hearing and smelling been offended sufficient
ly long; have they not seen sufficient drum
kenness, debauchery and crime have they
not heard enough of the midnight whoops
and yells of the miserable inebriates of both
sexes, who have local inhabitation there
have they nst sufficiently inhaled the old.
and death from that locality? We think
so.
Does not the Council think with us?
Nor are these the only reasons why Met.
calf Lane should be opened. There are
thousands living in the Eastern and North
Eastern portions Of the city, who visit the
Market House or the Ferry Wharf every
day all this portion of our citizens are COM
PEELED, when they reach the Southern end OF
Cumberland street, to "make an elbow" and
ceme down Church street, or choose the still
more Objectionable alternative of going
down Cove street, and pass the Watch
House and City Jail Open Metcalf Lane.
and this people will find it infinitely more
convenient to pass through there, and thus
save themselves the necessity of either of
the other disagreeable alternatives. This
tide of travel will carry trade with it, and
we venture to say that in three years after
Metcalf Lane Is opened, graded and paved,
it will be filled with stores, all of which will
have a steady stream of custom. Dry good