Huntington independent. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1871-1874, 1873-06-19
Reform Needed.

The Central Land Company has
done many things for the advantage
of this city, and it devolveS on the city
council TO follow up the good that has
been done by the enactment of ordi-
nances, which shall protect the citizens
from impositionS ana nuisances.
In regard to building aud Insurance.
II isa clear and manifest duty for the
council to do all in their power to
lessen risks from Ere. and thus enable
the citizens 10 get Insurance on their
property without being required to pay
extra rates. An ordinance should be en-
acted to prevent Correction Of specially
dangerous buildings, or the carrying on
If specially hazardous trades immedi
on the main thoroughfares, and in i'm
mediate contact with business houses,
which are greatly injured thereby; for
instance, there is in this city. on orc of
the principal avenues, a three story
house, the lower story of which is occu-
pied as ablacksmith shop, the second
story as a carpenter shop, and the
third story Cor a dwelling place. No
conscientious Insurance Agent could in
sure that house at any reasonable
rate. and not only IS that the case, but
the adjoining property is obnoxious to
the same objections as the building
itself Ii is not right that one citizen
should be permitted to injure another
in this way, aud in most cities it would
not be allowed.
Another matter requiring atten-
ton, is that Of carrying on such bust
ness black-smithing and horse-sbocinc.
right on the main avenues. Without
an ordinance to prevent it, a man may
if he is so minded, put a blacksmith
shop right down alongside Of q dry
goods store OF between two, and be the
running of both, because the dirt,
noise and smoke necessarily attendant
on the one business are incompatible
with the other.
Has any man right to do thiss
Does not good law teachlthat no man
has intrinsic rights, which in their exer-
else interfere with or curtail the rights
of Others, or work iniRry to another2-
We think so, and hope citizens viii be
protected from injury. Suppose, for
instance a man buys lOt on Third or
Fourth avenues, intending to bald a
dwelling house. He commences his
house, and before il is finished another
one buys'a lot alongside, and puts a
black-Smith'Shop there. 1t takes away
half the value Of his lot,and al the com
for. Of his house. His rooms are filed
with smoke; if the clothes are hung out
10 dry, they are covered with SCOT or
cinderS; the noise and dirt, and smell
are al instances, and all iutersere with
the bodily comfort Of the ueighbors
and the whole thing is an infringement
on his neighbours rights. Another mat
ter is that a blacksmith shopcauuot be
carried on, on an Avenue without the
infringement Of existing ordinauces-
Because the workman must either oc-
cupy the street as a workshop. or lead
horses TO be shod, over the Sidewalk.
W ihopc the ordinances VIII De enlOrC-
ell, and II necessary now ones enacted.
10 protect the citizens from uuisances.
We hope no one, blacksmith, or any
ono else, will take offence at this arti-
Gle We do rot wish to interfere with
the business Of any one, but we are
anxious TO secure the prosperity Of the
city, and the protection Of an citizens OF
every class, So FOR 'hc good Of al, /: