Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-02-27
H One Of the sr.. object. which

@ One of the 6rst objects which
attracts the attention ef styaagers in
Gallipolis. is the almost absolute mat
tention. on part Of the property bold
ers, or the corporatioo authorities, to
any improvement Of the sidewalks or
crossings. 1t is alleged as an excuse
on part Of the council, that the charter
Of incorporation does not confer upon
them the power Of expending any por-
ton Of the taxes in paving sidewalks.
II this be 90, which We do not dispute,
it must have been done designedly, BY
property holders when the town was
frst laid out. However, excusable
then, when the lots were owned by but
few men, and many of them in humble
circumstances. upon whom the expense
would have been heavy. the case is very
different now. Our population has
very largely increased. Many Of the
lots have been sub-divided, or sold of
to sepssats parties. until the cost of
paving, which would be ruinous even
now TO one man. being divided amongst
so many would scarcely be felt. Our
town has improved rapidly in wealth
snd intelligence within the last decade
Of years. Have We Kept pace there
with in improving our town? Assur-
edly not. Why? Because there was
wanting some controlling power, by
whose direction this could be legally
done. Many Of our citizens IL called
upon would cheerfully unite in having
this want remedied. Who will take
the advance? Those who do so must
expect to bear the sbnse Of men who
have no regard for the somfort and COR
venience of the public, nor enterprise
sufficient to expend one cent toward
oesrtifymg and improving our other
wise naturally well located town.
In this day Of universal contempt
for the colored race, it may not be Pc
culiarly gratifying to our pride, to state,
the most extensive and best constructed
pavement In Gallipolis put down by
any one man, is that Of Mr.. John Gee,
on Second street. This taken in con.
nection with the fact that he Is not a
citizen Of our place, or ever likely to be,
and that he belongs TO that class Of
whom it is said "they have no rights
which white man Is bound to respect. "
speaks volumes in his favor, and ought
TO put to shame those who, equally
able to do so, yet suffer the sidewalks
in front Of their own dwellings, to be
ancle deep in mud. to the great ineon-
venience not only Of themselves but
their neighbors. 1t is certainly within
the province Of our council to put down
some kind of paving at the crossing Of
streets. This is no more than working
the streets, which they have a right to
do. Our crossings for the past month
have been in a most wrelched condition.
Only few days since we noticed Mr..
Wingate, the Superintendent Of the
Government teams. having gravel
hauled on the crossing Of Second and
Grape streets. Our ladies should
thank him for it, for on their account
only was it done. We are tempted to
introduce this subject just now, because
the intolerably muddy condition of the
sidewalks, will induce many Of our cit
liens to reflect upon it with more earn
estness. than they likely would in3ry
weather. We hope they will not view
it as the resident Of Arkansas did the
roof on bis house, unnecessary in dry
weather, and who would work in the
rain" Our columns are open on this
subject to a full and fair discussion. and
we should like to hear from all parties
We presume not to dictate
to our citizens, but speak only Of the
necessity. The ways and means we
leave for others.