The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-01-15
The Sidewalks.

Mr.. EpIroR,-Will you not please ask the
civ authorities if they cannot devise some
method to make your sidewalks more safe for
the pedestrian to thread his way than they now
areo Why, it is as much as life is worth to
ATTEMPT to travel dozen rods on some of the
streets! being nothing but glare ice, rendered
more unsafe and slippery by the hosts of chill
dren coasting down their sides, "When man
thinketh he stands he is obliged to take heed
lest he fall, and women tool Now and then,
before the steps of some house you will see
ashes or sawdust scattered about, which makes
it much better The sight of which sends
thrill of gratitude thro' the heart OF the pedes-
TRAN who. if he has not already 'seen stars on
his way, is expecting every minute that
phenomena to occur Why is it that children
are allowed to make the sidewalks their field of
amusement? thus rendering them unsafe for
apy other who are not as swift and sure OF foot
as they? l like to see children enjoying tne
winters SPORT for it quickens the life cnr Tens
in their veins-and then they seem SO JIy ho;r
and happy that in looking at them 4,a ~ crystal
hilarious glee, as they bound o 0se can hut
surface-even of the public % HIcsnJ Gains new
catch the spirit and our o ,Snnrr If we are re-
iunpe.us' a.. in' ioss of our childhoOd's days; and
NC world not rob them OF this pleasure, put is
there not some unfrequehted street that could
he set aside, by the powers that be, Tor them to
coast at will, without jeopardizing the lives of
others? and knowing such provision had been
made for them, am sure they wond not tres
pass on the rights of others as they now do; for
children as general thing like to be honora-
BILE and will not steal pleasure if they can gain
it without. This is serious question MIR. Edi- |
tor, even the morality of your city is being
doubted by the zig zaging manner in which its |
citizens are obliged to go thro the streets first
on one side then on the other with arms spas
medically thrown out, or up in the air, and |
sundry other gyrations of the body performed |
to maintain its equilibrium. No wonder broth |
er Quimby of the Gospel Banner" should write |
such an article as he did few days ago if your |
streets were then, in the state they are now in,
am quite sure he would see many that he |
might class among his accidents, most any day, |
should he be watchin the movements only of |
your most sober-minded church going people |
going to and from their places of business. Now |
l am only visitor in your city, but | have talk
the last few days not to know what am writ
ing about, and if the City Fathers think this an |
idle matter hope the citizens will not but will |
see to it that something Is done to regulate the |
centre of gravity in those who are obliged to
walk your streets Before their own places of |
business and houses they can exercise enough |
authO. ty to cut or cover the ice so person can |
have the courage to step out without getting |
insured against accidents. may seem a little |
presumng being only visitor among you, but |
expect to remain here awhile longer and do |
not want to be obliged to remain indoors all |
the time, for want to take in the beauties of |
your city, to carry with me wheresOever may |
roam. For the poet tells us, ga thing of beau |
ty is Joy forever" which even the most prOsy |
nature would not refuse to hold. Therefore, |
hope may be excused for this seeming intru- |
sion. C. w. NJ.