Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-12-11
PAVING THE STREETS.

wants paved streets, and croakers, and
those who oppose all improvements that
cost money, are dumb. Main street IS
sight to look at Its topography is de-
cidedly volcanic, and appears to have
suffered terribly in the throes Of great
convulsion 1t is not wholly impossible,
however. A mule, hitched to dray,
can make the trip from beginning to end,
and return at night without the loss Of
more than one leg. But seriously, the
work Of paving our principal streets is to
begin at once. Mayor LoFLAYD will not
allow the business to sleep, but will in
fuse into it an energy that will not be
relaxed until the denominations that con-
front us everywhere shall disappear.
Work that should have been done ten
wears since, we find now upon our
hands. 1t would be folly to neglect
it longer for every interest OF whatever
character, in the city and out Of it, rem
ders it imperative. Real estate princes
mist under the amended charter, walk
souarely up. They must pave in front
of their property, from the sidewalk to
within two feet of the railway track.
There are to be no ipjunctions, no quib'
bles, no delays. The amount necessary
can be assessed and collected as any
other debt and there is no help for 1t,
And it is eminently just that this should
he so. Fine streets attract business and
create commerce. The tenant, by virtue
of them, is able to drive lucrative trade
and make a living; the landlord is en-
abled to increase his rents and absorb a
large proportion of the profits of his
tenants. In addition, the commercial
value ofhis property is greatly enhanced.
Does he pretend that Tom, Dick and
Harry, from all parts of the city, shall be
taxed to enhance the commercial value
of his property? If SO, let him.
We wish to suggest one thing to the
Mayor and those who are planning the
manner of paving the streets The centre
of the city is the proper place TO begin.
1t is to this point that oil trade and all
travel tend. The greatest attractions are
TO be found there, on account OF its den
eity. More wagons, carriages, people
and trade are to be found there, and
there is more wear of streets, and greater
necessity for good ones, First, COM
mencing about Madison or Court, let
Main street be paved out to both ends at
the same time. Then, such OF the
cross streets to Second, and such portions
of Second as may require paving most.
Acting upon this plan, and from the CEN
ire. those streets in most demand will
be the first repaired. Following it up,
ihe city will be gradually, but surely
naved. from centre to circumference.
Whatever the plan may be, we rejoice
that the great work is to commence In
earnest. under the auspices Of SO en-
liehtened and energetic a gentleman as
Mayor LoFLAYD.
THE ROBBERS AND PLUNDERERs.
We referred yesterday to the cotton
stealers in the South. Their names will
come to light, unless delay in reeonstruc'
ton shall cast them into oblivion. Fraud,
theft and robbery we're the order of the
day during our four years Of war. De-
moralization swept over everything, and
bad men-not made bad by circum'
stances, but bad originally-played rob
Der with impunity. Society, says the
Cincinnati Enquirer, during the last five
years, has spread its protecting wings
over the successful swindler. We made
fraud fashionable, and wofshiped, and do
still worship the man who has risen to
Office by the arts Of the demagogue, OF
accumulated his thousands or millions
by dishonest practices. When a man has
enjoyed the opportunity to steal and has
not stolen; when he has had large public
, trusts in his hands and restored then
without diminution when he has GROUND
the official grist, and taken no dishonor
able toll therefrom when he has ha'
great opportunities, and neither taKe'
nor plundsred, society looks upon hin
rather with pity at his innocence thai
with approval of his honesty. He j
regarded as a moral coward while the.
who have been skillful and inscription
in pluckiug the, public goose, are &C
counted brave and sHgacious.
Wesdo not Of course, approve of I
man who has been detected. Societ.
puts on all its prudisbness, and resolute
lywishdraws its skirts from the neighbor
hood Of him who has been SO unfortuhat
as 10 incur exposure. But 1t does nc
withhold its smiles from those whom
knows could only have accumulate
their riches by Legitimate practices. ]
Furnishes not the guilt, but the discovery
When Colonel BUrLER--lhe brothe
of General BprLEE-went from Ne'
York to New Orleans, he LEI
his hotel bill in the forme
city unpaid, for the want of means t.
nav II; when he returned, after tw'
Years service upon Coloners pay, h
was counted worth million. When b
went he was a social cypher; when h
returned. he was q figure, and a higl