The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-18
CITIZENS, ASSOCIATION.


ne purpose Of organizing an association 70 carry |
~ 10 urrs he Endorsement OF existing ordinances
and laws ia regard 70 roads and streets- |
TO press the passage Of such new ordinances and
10 insist upon ths proper cleansing Of the streets
ugG sas P5CRss
oorssst y. rf thcrcuTnfarcs crc % 80 FOR dFyine v w
TO urge the early compiston Of Broad street -
To To- invesigSte the right Of turnpike ana plank
road companies 10 occupy and charge toll upea
public streets and roads 81. I. .1eil .
TO ascertain whether such companies cannot be
by law TO keep the roads, on which they
charge toll, up 70 certain standard OF condition
20 prosecute such oficias or corporations as are
derect In their duties 80 far ~ they nave controi
10 ace that the ordinances relating to the occupa
ton OF streets by builders and contractors are en-
forced and n necessary TO obtain the passage OF
more stringent laws on this subject
mi K Price was called TO the chair; Edward Ship
pen and George Gilpin were called upon 70 ACT IN
Mr.. Price upon taking the chair referred to the
deporable condition OF the Streets and stated that
although the honor conferred upon MN was an en-
He had, after reflection upon the utterly ruinous
condition of the streets leading out OF the CITY, aud
to notice Where the wrongs existed. He REFERRED to
Fairmount Park and the time when u would become
TO zee the streets Of the city in the same condition
az are now the roadways OF the Park.
This association is not TO interfere Ia any manner
In an advisory manner. He did not desire this asso-
ciaton TO be part OF the municipal government
nrime OF his life as Representative in the State
senate, and while there had been Instrumental IN
ann modeeS after the state
and therefore he did not want it marred. The asso
citation should merely correct errors or existing
Mr.. Shippen then read the following articles OF the
Citizens Association for the Improvement OF Roads
The object OF this association shall be to use all
lawful WAYS and means to the enforcement OF
such laws and ordinances as shall have relation 20
Of Philadelphia and to procure such additional legis-
lation as may be deemed necessary In that behalf.
sons who shall subscribe to these articles and who
shall pay annually the sum OF five dollars
The association shall hold an annual meeting on
the frst Monday OF February, at which meeting the
directors shall be elected In the manner hereinafter
Al the first meeting twenty-fou directors shall be
chosen by ballot, eight of whom shall serve for three
years. eight for two years, and eight for one year.
and at each annual meeting thereafter eight direc
tors shall be chosen TO serve for three years uat
their Successors elected TO I'LL the vacanctes> >Oc
casoned by the expiration the terms OF the retiring
directors, There shall be no voting by proxy. The
directors shall annually elect a President and a
Treasurer from their own number, and shall appoint
Secretary and such other officers as may be found
necessary, who shall hold their oflces during the
pleasure of the board, and who shall be paid such
compenBation as may be determined by the board.
the Board OF Directors shall have the power to fill
vacancies in their own body, and TO make from time
TO time such rules and regulations as to them shall
seem expedient for giving effect to the purposes OF
the association, and shall have the power to collect
the annual dues Of members and TO dlsburse the
same for the purposes OF the association; but they
shall not have power to incur liabilities beyond the
amount OF money at their disposal at the time.
Fairman Rogers then addressed the meeting, stat
ing that he was one OF the orignators OF the move
mont. The condition OF the streets was well known
TO all persons, and that they need repairing very
ness, however, is nobody's business, and the same
state Of affairs Ia allowed to continue. 1t Is the
object Of the association to correctthis, and improve
It is not proposed to interfere with any city ON
cals but merely to make suggestions; and 1t Is pre-
sumed that the officials Will act more effectuall,
| when supported by strong public opinion. Thi
movement originated with small coterie OF gentle
| men, who held several informal meetings at thei
respective residences, and the result has been thu
| preparation OF the articles just read.
| Mr., DraytOn followed by saving that the street,
are in an Accountable condition in regard to gradin,
| and paving and flthiness Should one desire q
drive out to Germantown he is compelled to taxi
OF the railroad tracks, which are but little bette
| than the sides Of the road.
And then it is impossible to even travel at a six
mile an-hour pace, unless by chance he falls in be
| hind railway car and follows it up. The object o
this association IS to correct this evil and place tn
roads in proper condition as & t WI
certainly be objection to its carrying out the pur
l poses for which it has been formed.
Mr.. Henry Rawle next addressed the meeting. ii
| presented at length the good that may be accom-
| plished by the association. He mentioned the con
'' to the y PARK: with the exception Of the porto
| Nicolsonized, IL was Shameful IL something
not done soon every carriage will be driven from tn
streets Of the city. He contrasted the condition
our city streets with those OF many cities in Europe
and stated that when the streets OF a little unfrt
| quented town in Switzerland are placed In con
parison with ours, 1t brings forward the blush {
shame to the cheeks OF our citizens. He conclude
by urging all TO aid the association In It's EFFORTS
l correct the evils now existing.
Edward shippen was OF the opinion that the cor
dition Of the streets sadly needed refnedying IN
other inferior materials, which makes such pawn
failure in fact cobble stones arc played out tue
The attention Of the authorities should be drecte
to the necessity OF good streets and roads. III
association does not propose to interfere with
| make any opposition TO the public authorities, b
rather to act in harmony with them It must be a
derstood however, that the highways and roadwa
proper order, no matter what the consequences IN,
be. Heoid not believe, however, that they wou
be forced TO resort to harsh measures.
Again, the distractions on the sidewalks, such
gas boxes, water boxes, stumps Of trees. etc, oug
also TO be removed This association totally esche
Combined for the general good aud welfare OF &
community. To carry out these objects proper
general canvass Of the city 20 obtain members, a
, he hoped to see them counted by thousands.
The meeting was then addressed by John
The articles @ Of the association were then adopte
after which the following officers were chosen:-
: Directors-George 9. Carson, K. Spencer Mil
, Edward shippen, J: II, p, Mcclellan, NJ Geor
| u. Tyler, John Neill, M. d., EDWARD NJ. HopKtl
, 1 and George W. Bidde, for one year. ~
II NJ. Il. Rogers, George Cadwaader, George
| Ziegler, William Stevenson, Amos Il. Little, Willie
/; II Rawle, Theodore Ssiignac, and X =. Kersho
| for Two years.
=. G. /. Borie, Joseph +. Tobias, Fairman Roge
!, Andrew Nebinger, NJ. d. Samuel b. Thomas Jan
: G. Fell, and Clarence II, Clark, Tor three years
The President announced that this should be Ct
sidered the first annual meeting, and that the Mt
r annual meeting would be held in February 1871.
After which the meeting adjourned.
4 | A large number of the gentlemen present III
' stepped forward and signed the roll.