The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-04-09
A PATENT PAVEMENT WANTED.
The Proposal to Lay n Ballard Pave
ment in King street.

A considerable number Of property owners
and other citizens interested in the project OF
paving King street, frem Queen to Calhoun
street, with the Ballard pavement met at
noon yesterday in the Council Chamber of the
City Hall, at the iavitation of the Mayor, to
consult upon the proposed Improvement.
Mayor WAGNER presided, and, In explaining
the objects of the meeting, said:
Elloao. Citizens-I have taken the liberty to
request your presence on this occasion lot tne
purpose of asking your consultatioron meas
ure of contemplated and very necessary I'M
provement, which will interest you more par
~ticularly of all our citizens, inasmuch as yon
will be the especial participatois In its oene-
fits. Wherever large numbers OF Individuals
are collected together, and more especially ID
cities, where trade and commerce are the main
sources of prosperity and riches, the cleanll-
ness, convenience and durability OF the streets
and ihoroughfares are Of paramount impor-
lance. Our King street possesses none OF
these qualities. 1t is neither clean, nor con-
yenienC, nor durable. And yet 1t Is the ave-
nue. where some Of our most Important branch
es OF trade are conferred, and where, on any
fair and pleasant day, may be encountered
thousands of all classes of our inhabitants In
the pursuit OF business or recreation. And
StlduHClo, WV " 6ShSAoJ
In preference to any other street In our
city. Your street requires improvement. For
the purposes of your extensive trade and ior
the convenience OF the public 1t is inadequate.
You know. 1t well; in wet weather It Is but a
mass of slush, and, when the sun smiles upon
you, 1t is a cloud Of dust. And what can we
do 3 We must not cobble II, because the con-
tInual noise of passing vehicles will interfere
with YOUR business. We must not shell It. be-
cause the lime dust will ruin your coetiest
goods. But something should be done. l
have made diligent and extensive Inquiries
Into the various systems OF street paVlngs,
and have conn to the conclusion that the
been introduced in many Northern cllies.
and Is now being extensively laid IN WASH,
lpgtop, is the cheapest and best. 1t Will
answer all your purposes admirably. us COST
In Charleston will not exceed two dollars
per square yard. Twenty thousand a0llaIs
would pave King street from CANOPY
down to Queen street. But us Guy n TeupoS ed
neriod of disorder aad misfortune, and whist
our means have been reduced, our pubic
thorolghfares have been nearly ruined. We
have not one street that is not clamoring Tor
repairs; our whole system OF drainage was
utterly obstructed. and had to be renovated and
enlarged. And as We go along all portions OF
our city are crying out tor improvements, and
are entitled 10 a fair consideration. We nave
already done and temporarily improved q
great deal, but It is inadequate. We desire to
do 1t all, but It will take years. Nevertheless,
whenever the citizens Of any section viii COM
bine In q liberal voluntary effort, the city
cannot and will not refuse her aid, l would
therefore request Of you, gentlemen, 10
lead the way 10 public spirit, and IN
this most desirable Improvement Of
your street. 1t Is now the time, for by
the opening Of the fall season every con-
tract can have been made and the work COM
menced. I would respectfully suggest that
you now Interchange your viewe, aud, II the
matter meets your appreciation, that you aP..
point committees to solicit subscriptions: II
You subscribe fifty per cent. of the COST, am
CONFIDENT the City Council will grant the bal
ance and at once carry ont the work. II any
square will subscribe fifty per cent, Council
will improve that square. / am assured your
enlightened sense will perceive the good OF
my object, and your literally. Will induce you
to grasp the opportunity. Let me oeseecn
you to make the effort, and success Will assuI,
eddy follow. Our city must succeed, and snail
succeed, if our citizens will cultivate hope and
a lively energy to perform their part. AND,
for your encouragement In the matter under
consideration, I will promise you that, II no
extraordinary misfortune intervene, you anali
save the cost of the Improvement In the re-
ductIon Of your next years taxes aud IL
censes.
A full interchange of opinion followed as to
the merits and feasibility of the proposed I'm
provement, and the meeting adjourned with
out any formal action, but with the expires.
zion of the Intention of Mr.. Llndstedt and
Captain Melchers to canvass the subject of
paving the block between George and Calhoun
streets with the new pavement, and, If found
to meet the wishes of the other property own
ers, to begin the Improvement at that point.