The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-06-14


This communication was referred to the
committees on railroads and streets, and up to
the 9th of May five months) no word was or
could be had of the intention Of the commit
tee. On that day the company made up Its
mind that there was no Intention to give
them the courtesy that their communication
demanded. They commenced to break ground,
leaving but three weeks before the lst Of
June to open The line. This was done, and
the entire portion OF the road, intended to be
used this fall, was opened, and has not been
disturbed, except In cases where horses and
drays have broken 1t down. This work was
accomplished by working day and night against
every obstacle thrown in ils way by the City
Councll and Its agents, draymen, and many
other interests that seemed to think they were
affected by the road. or course the streets
are 10 bad condition, but the road Is not TO
blame; we could not commence any sooner.
The City Council who ought to have met us In
q fair and inst manner, refused to do 30, and
on their shoulders rests the responsibility. As
to the statements made by The city engineer
and inspectors of streets, relating to the cost OF
restoring the streets to their former condition,
the city has nothing to do with 1t until we re-.
fuse TO restore them; but We will remark here,
that we prefer and intend to do the work our
selves, but not at their figures, we having no
desire to make off the city. The health OF the
city Is the cry OF the city registrar; and ose
would think, 10 read his many communica-
tlons on this road, that We cared for nothing
but money, and that the lives OF the citizens
were as nothing compared TO 1t. desire 10
cay that, In answer to his statements, they are
NO. oorreot, aud Ihoe -ha cannot prove them
either ln person or by committee OF his own
choosing. We gave. this matter serious
thought, examined the authorities on the sub
Iect, and conversed With many physicians OF
this city on the question of opening and filling
streets during the summer months. We were
in doubt until We read The rotest Of the cltl-
z.ns against the present registrar filling lots
In the western part OF the city, In 1859, with
the filth and offal Of the city. We read the
letters of various physlcians pronounclng 1t
an outrage on the community, and that other
motives governed the registrar besides the
public good, charging him In the same manner
(see DR.. KInloch's letter. as he charges us, as
will be seen by the following extract from his
communication to Council, June lst, 1872, viz:
"That individuals have the conceded right to
fnperil their own life, health and happiness
for mercenary or ambitious ends cannot be
questioned, as examples of such Insane devo.
ton to selfish interests are daily furnished US
In the history of the race" We read the regis
trar's reply 10 the protests, and his reasons
Why he filled those lots In the manner he did,
and from that communication we came to the
conclusion that the people knew nothing about
heath; that filling up lots with tlth and ofal
was not Injurious to the health of the city, and
that we could open the streets sixteen inches,
during the summer months, without injury 10
the health of the citizens. Who owned those
lots we do not know; but this we do know, that
the registrar does not own any stock IN thls
road, and has no interest 10 its success. The
public can rest assured that we will do all that
can be done to complete The work In tie short
est possible time, and restore the streets to,
We hope, better condition than we found
them. All that We ask Is that Justice shall be
done In the premises, and that the ignorance.
the prejudicea, and the selfish Interests OF per-
Sons who care nothing for your city shall not
be used to injure and retard an enterprise
which is destined to build up Charleston, and
make her what she ought to be, metropolis,
and not hamlet by the sea.
Respectfully,
T. HURLEY, President.