Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-03-30
Tho Stafford Pavement.

The Stafford Pavement.
1t is now generally admitted that
wooden pavements are superior to pave
ments of stone or pavements of any
other material The principal question
is as to what wooden pavement is the
best And this question, we think, is
certainly destined to be settled in favor
of the Stafford pavement The contest
undoubtedly lies between the Stafford
pavement and the Nicolson pavement.
The advantages of the Stafford pavement
over the Nicolson pavement, however,
are not only numerous and important
but undeniable. They must be ac-
knowledged the moment they are pointed
out We will point out q few of them.
The flooring of the Nicolson pavement,
for example, is continuous, and, conse-
ouently, cannot be removed for any pur-
pose without serious trouble and ex-
pense as we'll as irreparable damage to
the flooring itself The Stafford pave
ment, on the contrary, is composed OF
solid sections of two by three feet, which
can be removed without either trouble or
damage. Again the Nicolson pavement
not merely admits water, but retains it
between the floor and the blocks, thereby
Fastening the decay of wood; whereas,
the Stafford pavement, besides being
more impervious to water, has no floor
except a stratum of sand, into which the
little water that may find its way through
will sink, leaving the wood perfectly
drained. Furthermore, the Nicolson
pavement is built in detail in the street,
a method which necessarily interrupts
business. The Stafford pavement, en-
the other hand, is built at the mill
and is put down almost as rapidly
and noiselessly as the temple of Solo
mon was put up. A square, we are
assured, may be put down in two or
three days. Moreover, the strain of heavy
vehicles upon the Nicolson pavement
so disturbs the blocks as to change
the cells from the top to the bottom,
making them peceptacles ut water, and
active agents of decay. The Stafford
pavement is framed together, whereby it
is made too solid to be disturbed by the
strain of the heaviest vehicles. But these
advantages of the Stafford pavement,
though decisive, are not all. In addition
to these advantages, which relate to the
plan of construction, there is browning
advantage in the treatment OF the wood,
which consists in saturating it with a
mixture of crude creosete and resinous
oils, the effect of which is to render it
proof not only against own decay,
but against the decay even of whatever
foul matter comes into contact with it.
In other words, the mixture in question
is powerful antiseptic, better adapted
to guard the public health than all the
sanitary regulations OF all the sanitary
commissions that could be organized.
The Stafford pavement is itself grand
and most effective sanitary measure. But
we have said enough to show that the
pavement is one of great merit. Its cost,
we should add, is about the same az that
of the Nicolson pavement. We should
also add that it is adapted to sidewalks
as we'll as to streets. The advantages of
the pavement, as we have outlined them,
are certified to by Professors Doremus
and Torrey, of New York, and by other
scientific men Of equal distinction. Be-
sides, the pavement is now being laid
down on the Seventh avenue in New
York, in pursuance of an almost unani-
nous vote of both branches of the city
government, fact which is itself most
satisfactory certificate The superior
merits of the pavement are indeed indis-
putable
Our late townsman, Colonel David
Looney, now OF New York, has purchased
n x;xhs - H. Ctoan-d ,oua,,an4 Datant
for the city of louisville during the next
sixteen years, and, we understand, is pre-.
pared at once to begin the work of laying
down the pavement on our streets. II we
are willing. The subject, we are informed,
will be brought before ous City Council
tonight. We respectfully bespeak for it
an impartial aod complete examination.
In the management of his valuable
right, Colonel Looney has associated
with himself our well-known towns
man, Colonel !. l. Hyatt, whose energy
Of character, business ssgacity, and un-
spotted integrity are the pride Of US all.
OF Colonel llooney himself we need not
speak. He is personally known to oar
whole people. OF ell men he is unaues-
tionably the very man for the enterprise
in hand. His energy 10 unsurpassed;
his knowledge of men is thorough; and
bis power og combining and directing
them is remarkable. Withsl, be is q man
of captivating address, and Of unfailing
tact The enterprise which he and our
friend Hyatt cannot conduct 10 success
must bs hopeless indeed. We heartily
commend them aud their enterprise to
the public favor oHisrills Journal