The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-03-06
The New Mayor.
HOW HE RUNS THE MAoH1NE-orTY IMPROVE
MENTs-oFFIcIALs WIDE AwAKE-oHARLEsToN
TO BE REJUvENATED.


that this slast feather would break the canlel's
back" and mourned in sackcloth and ashes
over the probability that at an early day old
Charleston would certainly go to eternal
smash. Others we're more hopeful-held their
tongues, thought the curt laconic speech Of
the new Mayor meant work-and waited. Be-
fore the end Of two weeks, city bills which, for
more than year, have been at o fearful dis
count, appreciated nearly to their par valtei
city stocks advanced twenty per cent; the po-
lice, who had almost forgotten how green
back looked, rejoiced in being paid off with
whole packages of the article fresh from the
bank; the public institutions, under Che patron
age Of the city, were supplied with the same
welcome currency and in other departments,
financially speaking, sail went merry as a
marriage bell"
Then the Mayor stirred around among mus
| ty old ordinances. Stray cattle were inconti-
nently gobbled up, and their owners fined. The
lie ,nses of all the Jehu's i'll town we're inspect
ed; and liquor shops witnessed something more
| stirring than toddy stick. War was made
| on vagrants; battalions Of sweepers and shov-
foot by foot, through the streets; the inspector,
infected by the oxygenated energy of his chief,
was here, there and everywhere; the engineer
never did delve more industriously elbow-deep
into calculations, and tho City Council looked
on and wondered.
So far, so good. Everybody 's delighted.
Everybody praises the new Mayor. The brok-
ers on Broad-street hang out their compliments
to his administration in the shape Of ohingles
which read 'sCity Bills Wanted" and the city
itself is making a new toilet under the vigor-
GUS manipulation Of somewhat rough BARRIERS
it is true, which, by the time the sickly sea-
sCn commences, will enable her to exhibit
clean face and white pinafore when she makes
her summer bow.
We notice a few Of the pending changes.
THE SANITARY CONDITION
of streets is matter Of serious concern, and
the Mayor has commenced work upon them
with energy. The tidal drains are to be
promptly overhauled, and the City Engineer
is now making arrangements to flood the
whole of them simultaneously so that Charles
on may undergo regular washing, and these
noisorne receptacles Of filth be prevented from
sending forth the malaria which keeps the
doctor busy and the graveyard open.
PLANK ROAD.
From Line-street, on King, to the city boun-
dary, plank road is soon to be constructed.
The contract is in conception, and when CON-
pleted will supply desideratum to those who
enjoy an airing behind horse. flesh. Turnpike
gates are to be built, from the revenue OF
which the expense is to be paid, and the prices
therein and out will be regulated by the
Council.
THE ORIGIN OF FIRES.
Another important order just issued by the
Mayor, is that which we publish this morning
instructipg the Chief Engineer Of the Depart
ment to investigate the cause and origin of all
fires, and to make use of his authority for this
purpose to the requisite degree. Heretofore
these examinations havo been mado by the
agents of Insurance Companies, but only in
self-defence; hereafter it may bo presumed that
foul play will be forfeited out and punished,
and that We shall know the why and wherefore
of every confagration that calls so many peo-
pie from their snug beds at midnight, and
burns up fire-wood in the steam engines.
STREET IMPROVEMENTS.
The workmen were busy yesterday in Lowell
ling that portion of the Meeting-street side
walk north of Queen-street. The old cellars
ore being filled up 10 the level of the pave
ment. old curbs are removed, and this portion
of the city will soon rejoice in firm, hard and
even asphaltum pavement. The work is un-
der the immediate charge of Captain Auguste
Habernicht, who laid the sidewalk in Char
lotte-street, in front Of General Canbys resi-
dence. Mr.. Edward England will superintend
the laying of new brick curbing along the side
walk. This improvement on the broken foct-
way Of this part Of Meeting-street has been
long needed, and General Burns requested the
City Engineer to have the contracts made and
the work commenced at once. Captain Haber-
NIGHT has large experience in this business,
and the street under his mana sement will
soon assume different appearance. The pill
lars of the Circular Church encroach consider
ably on tho sidewalk, and, as the church is now
in ruins they could be easily removed Should
the church be rebuilt, however, it is very
doubtful whether these pillars will be adapted
az part Of the architectural design. side
walk should be clear, and an excellent
opportunity is now offered to remove these
unsightly distractions. There are several par
ties in the city who would be willing to remove
them for their material, and it is full time that
some action should bo taken in the matter.
When Mayor Miles removed the colorado which
diseraced the Meeting street sido Of the guard
house there was general cry OF "desecratlon,"
but the impr rovement effected soon silonced
the croakers. The removal Of the Circular
Church pillars will no doubt be attended with
the same lamentation, but time will prove that
the action is justifable.
FENCES.
1t is in contemplation also to erect fences
around all vacant lots on King and Meeting
streets, between Market and Queen. Ii the
owners of the property are unable to do it
themselves, it may be done at the expense of
the city, and the cost assessed upon the own
ers. A wise measure, for if there is any pla;e
in Cbristendom that would tempt q thief on
dark night to ''go through victim, or entice
a. drunken man into unseen pitfalls, it is the