Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1872-06-19

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Ornngcburg, according to the last cen
sus, 1869, contains but little over 1000
inhabitants. l doubt much if there has
been any perceptiblc increase since that
was taken Except in babies-as to which
give it up-and they don't need streets
just yet.) The business part of the town
is almost wholly confined to Russell
street, to which there is easy access by
cross streets to all the inhabitants. The
stores (with but one or two exceptions)
all open on Russell Street. The street
runs through the town, and by it farmers
enter the town, principally, from East
and West. AS thoroughfare it has
been found abundantly convenient and
roomy for all the years gone by-for all
the time preceding this extensively pro-
gressive age; in all the good old times,
when people were not taxed ESQ as to
know it) and could we'll afford to build
new streets if needed. Now this radical
view of progress comes in. What was
good enough in the good days-what is
good enough now-must give way be-
cause this is an age of progress, and we
must go with the age and pay dearly for
our passage too. A new street must be
opened, and when conservative citizens
ask "cui bono" the age of progress won.
dcrs. We ask again, "cui bono?''
What will tL;, ,,o,,, ,t,oa. oG,..A g. ~
public good? not what it may do for u
few citizens, who want to sell lots on it ),
but ''pro bono publico?" Let us sup
pose it opened. Commencing with 60
feet to the West; narrowing down to 35l
and 30 feet, SO rs to avoid some private
residences, and then passing these and
reaching other private lots, it spreads oit
80 feet wide down to the Railroad. Let
us suppose it opened, what then? Is it,
supposed that the farmers bringing their
cotton, either from the other side of the
river or across the railroad will u,e this
street? There is not one farmer in 1OO,E
who hauls cotton and produce to the.
Railroad. They bring these things to
Orangeburg to sell and exchange at the
stores. These stores all front on Russell
Street. To take this street would be out
OF the way. They can only accomplish
their object by going where the mer-l
chants "most do congregate."
Again, almost all persons who comoio
Orangcburg, come OH business in the town
with the merchants, and would have no
use for this new street. And even f.hcre
be passengers coming up, or bringing any
goods or chattcls, the business part ofthc
town is sought; and by actual measure
ment | believe the old is as short rs the
new street will be. 1t must be clear then
that this scheme will not benefit the far.
mcr, who is the most important citizen.
VIII it benefit the merchant? Will it be.
more convenient for him to haul by, or
transport his goods to his store? His
store is OH the great old thoroughfarc.
know ofbnt one merchant whose lot
runs through from his store to this new
street, and who would probably use it. If
it will not benefit the farmer, and but one
merchant (cven if it will benefit llim) and
no one else that we can think Of, where
i'll is this new street such IL matter of PUB
Lie interest, rs to warrant the expense Of
its building? | say PUBLIC interest, be-
cause with the rise and fall Of lots pur-
chased .on that street, the interest of IL few
lot-owncrs is involved, and they do not
constitute the public. For this matter,
which does not present itself rs public
benefit, or rs calling for public sympathy
and approval, what is the public called
upon to contribute? What arc private
citizens asked to contribute? Let us see.
First. The street is proposed to be made
50 feet wide, (and ifmadc at all, it should
be 30 less) and to run from the II. II. to
its Western end TO run it from the r.
II. this width, it will cut through and
render comparatively worthless number
Of valuable lots the owners Of which arc
bitterly opposed to any alteration of their
prOncrty IT. will puf larpaIy info tba