The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1873-04-19
Communicated
Communicated,
INDIVIDUALS DANCE WHILETHE
PEOPLE PAY THE FIDDLER

We would call the attention Of the good
people of the city of Dallas, especially
those who bear the burden of its taxes,
TO certain work that is now being done
ON Main street, immediately in front of
the proposed Market House, to the material
injury of said street, at the expense of the
civ. without authority Of law, pd III for
the purpose Of promoting and building up
nriyate interest viz; the. cutting ola large
ditch from eight to ten feet deep, aud for
n distance of from Two TO three hundred
feet through sandy soil along the side of
said street, the execution of which work
has already consumed the labor of tho
chain gang for more than two weeks, be-
sides the services of an employed police
man to guard the men and oversee the
work; and yet this job is not completed.
1t is well known that early in last year
Main street was opened to the corporate
limits of tho city, and well graded--with
proper drainage--from the Court House
SQUARE to the line of the Central Railway,
and this Mt great expense to the city. 1t
ia fact apparent to every practical man
who will examine the locality of the street,
and the grounds adjacent, considering the
nature of the soil, which, as before stated,
is sandy, and the great volume of water
that must necessarily rush through this
ditch, when opened that the street will com
mence giving way aud falling in with
the first rain, and will continue to do 80
with every subsequent rain until the entire
carriage way at that points swept away or
rendered impossible for vehicles; and that
this oan be prevented, only by the build
ING of an immense stone or brick culvert
the entire length of said ditch, which can
not be done at n cost OF less than seven
hundred dollars. 1t is also fact appar-
ent that all this is being done for the pur-
nose of reclaming and making valuable
certain low lands through which y large
rayine has hitherto afforded IN escape
for the waters accommodating above. These
lands, comprising the site Of the proposed
Mnrke; House, together with the house to
be erected thereon, are tho property
private individuals, and the city Inns no
interest watever in either. A half dozen
or 30 gentlemen have seen fit to form
themselves into q company for the pur-
nose of building Market House, having
obtained the permission OF the City Coan-
Oh, whether the giving Of such permits
sion be right or wrong we do not propose
to discuss), and the chain gang have been
put TO work to prepare these private
grounds to receive this private building,
without any authority whatever. We say
without authority, because certain Alder
men have told us that no such work had
been authorized by the Council assembled,
and such authority could not otherwise
have been given. Now, where is the fault?
Who manipulates the wireworking? Has
any city Official personal interest in this
affair? Who assumes the rcsposibil-
ity? Does the chain gang presume to
direct its own optrations3 III so one would
think they've an eyeto business. Now, II
the members of the Chain Gang owe u
debt to the city which may be discharged
by labor, very WE'LL then let the work be
done for the benefit of the city, not for les
injury. We think the facts warrant all
that is said, and it is quite true the people
should look to their own interest and
frown down corruption in small places.
Lot it begin at home.
JACOB NUSSBAUMER.