Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-07-09
THE PAvING aUARHEL


The first street in Memphis which
should have been either paved, foored
tunnelled or bridged from end to end, ii
that which is street part Of the year anl
mud-cansl the rest Ct il, Main street
Along it flows the principal stream O.
transportation If merchandise and tina.
Of travel. At each end is a r~ailrOal
depot, and it is lined for s large part o.
its length with stores. Its mud and
almost impossible condition many
months in the year, its quagmires and
huge holes in which vehicles daily
founder when it becomes a river Of mud.
cost, annually two or three hundred thou.
sand dollars more for drayage than the
cost would be, for the same Transports
ton, If il we're paved, a load which
would then be conveyed to its destina-
ton along this street for half a dollar,
costing two or three. The consequence
OF this enormous tax on consumers is OF
course injurious to the city by diminish
ing its trade. Such a business street. so
horrible and disgusting a canal Of semi
LIQUID abominatiOn has never been seen
in d other city in the world and with
such an one no city can present any
attraction TO strangers, visiting it either
for pleasure or business, or have any
good opinion Of itself. Main street is
altogether a disreputsOle and indecent
thoroUghfare.
Moreover, fortunes have been made by
dumping sand and gravel into its inss-
tate nav, to be speedily swallowed up
IS II it were an Irish bog, and leave the
street worse than before. Incredible the
cost Of this to the city incredible the
profanity which its abOminable condi-
ticn has caused among our sex, aud the
domestic jars arising from ill-humour of
the other, for which the infamous snd
intolerable street, detested and hated by
all women, is responsible,
We have read with patient attention
the reports Of the discussions in the City
Council IN respect 70 the claims Of the
bidders who propose to pave this and
other streets The season is rapidly pass
Ing and the controversy and discussion
serL TO be interminable. We venture to
g. 10 the city step-fatbersi that they
3 ~. v inning golden opinions from
2 VINO are not partizans either Of
10 5 s. GKEENLAw or HOPPER &
MONTGOMERY, but are anxious TO see the
work begun, either by their explanations
or mutual recriminations, and that their
discussions have become slightly weari-
s0me. They undoubtedly crafty the
taste Of the few Ml-natured persons Of the
~comr-Snity, 10 whom it is pleasant 20 see
the weaknesses ofhUma1 NATIVE ey. 0sed.
and agreeable to know lbat their neigh
bours are no better than they should be-
and who find amusement in -cs4dals
and quarrels: but thoughtful men, who
care for the character Of the city aud that
Of those whom the people hav e trusted
and honoured, are panied and mortified
by proceedings and discussions that do
not exhibit poor human nature in the
most favorable light.
We have individually no right TO re.
buke or censure. But The community
has that right and we are quite sure
that Il demands that the quarrel and
recrlminaton shall cease, that the con-
shall be awarded to somebody.
and the work shall be begun,-on Main
first Of al, and then on Jefferson.
the river hank to the Charleston
Railroad Depot. 1t is not for US 70 say
b whom they should be given. We are
vel aware that it does not always follow
nat 8 contract ought to be given to the
bidder. Other considerations NAV
,osnetimes control How far the wealth
Il one party or the other ought to con.
dilute one Of these consideration, we
10 not say. Let The Board decide all I
hat. i is their province; but LEI them S
Iecide It quickly. Let he work be be 1
,un and done, and dane DeR; for il is il
lot rel done Il viii Don be worthless.
zou 4 should be dOnc is easily ascer- {
aned. I