The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-18


alone by property4holders on that stree
but by hundreds Of others in that vicinity,
and we venture the opinion that nine-tenths
Of the citizens of Philadelphia most heartily
concur In the request Of the parties here
aluded to. Il is demanded as a great public
convenience TO the thousands of pedestrians
who throDg its sidewalks on Sunday after
moons and public days, not to look at the
few more fortunate ones in their vehicles
drawn by fast horses, but for social min
Cling together on this everyday inoreas-
ingly attractive and fashionable promenade,
In reading the veto of the Mayor, IL would
appear as though he was fearful tLat the petit
TONERS and Councils were endeavorng to ruin
the value of the property and the appearance
Of Broad street, and that he was obliged to
come to the rescue of the property-holders,
and prevent them carrying out their contem
plated Improvements, saying in efect:-:.I will
take care of you, as you do not appear to
know what you are about, or what you want
and will see that you do not ruin yourselves
and your improvements on what is to be the
most beautiful street in the world, by permit
ting you to carry out your mistaken notions
upon this business. The fact is, | wilk Judge
for you"
1t may not be expected that certain of our
city officials can open their eyes to any public
improvement or interest-either of the city or
of individuals-if is found to interfere with
their own or their friends interests. Therefore
we suppose that it will be useless to attempt
any improvements on South Broad street
Which will in any way interfere with the pre-
sent fat contracts, until those in contemplation
are finished.
Let our citizens look at the improve
ments as they now stand in Broad street,
above Poplar, where some of our public
spirited gentlemen have been at work, with
widened sidewalks, beautifying and adorning
that magnificent avenue-but all this was
done before these fat contracts were contem-
plated. What has been the result Contrast
the six squares north of Poplar street with
the six squares south of Poplar, and estimate
the present value with that before those fine
Improvements were made. Who cannot
notice at glance the difference in favor of
the value Of the squares north of Poplar
street, and the vastly increased beauty and
public accommodation Who doubts but
that the public would be vastly benefited
by an extension of these improvements south
ward, if holders of property were only per-
mitted to make them But We suppose that
thismust all be ignored because interfering with
the present and contemplated contracts which
are for the enrichment of few greedy specu-
lators and jObbers. The petitioners did not ask
that Broad street should be decreased in width
but that south OF Poplar street the one hun
dred and thirteen feet between the buildings
should be divided as north of Poplar, in such a
manner as to accommodate the greatest num-
ber. Surely the public convenience and re-
quirements are not to be sacrificed for the spe-
cial accommodation of the few who can afford
to keep fast horses for exhibition, with their
splendid equipages, upon this the peoples
promenade. We trust his Honor and our
| Councils will not permit themselves to be
swayed or influenced by the advice of inte-
rested parties, but that they will yet yield to
the popular voice, and permit the beautifying
and adorning of North Broad street to be con-
! tinued.