The daily gazette., 1876-07-28
EDITION.
Macadamized Fourth Street.
Protest aaatmst the "lHo.
del PaceMessf.,

PAYMENT OF THE ASSESSMENTS TO BE
RESISTED BY LEGAL MEANS.
Since the recent measures of City
Auditor Beggs to secure the payment
of the assessments for the macadamiz-
ing of Fourth street, tie property
owners are preparing with equal vigor
to resist his measures. They claim
that the street, as at present paved, is
not only nuisance. but damages their
property, and that they should not be
compelled to pay for the work.
Last night meeting of about thirty
of the property owners was held at the
Office of Esquire Il. B. Frazer, Third
and Market streets, to discuss the sub
ject and adopt measures of resistance.
Among those present were Esquire
Erazer, Joseph Teas, Fl. r. Bringhurst
Henry Pretzchner, Geo, Adele, John
Aiken, Sr., Edwin w. Horner, VIM.
M. Francis, II. F. Albert, John Han.
son, James Heal, John Davis, Peter
Springer and others. Some present
them had not.
Esquire Frazer was called To the
chair. Abncr Sparks appointed Secre-
tary and William NJ. Francis, Trea-
surer.
The object OF the meeting WAS sta
ted by the Secretary and the subject
was fully discussed by nearly all pre-
sent. 1t was unanimously declared
that the street, rs at present paved,
was a nuisance. And that the work
was done without the consent of the
property owners and that 1t was Gins
ply an experiment made by the city
on the street. When the paving was
started the understanding was that it
should not cost more than a stone
pavement, whereas it has cost great
deal more.
Those present who had paid their
| assessments were just as earnest in
condemning the work, as the others,
and were entirely willing to test the
legality Of the measures adopted by
the city to compel payment.
1t was also stated that since the
street had been macadamised property
had deprecated in value rs per cent,
although the property assessments had
been maintained at old rates, and in
some cases increased. Recently fine
property at the s. e. corner of Fourth
and Poplar had sold tor $4.500-$10O0
less than its previous value.
One gentleman stated that when the
pavement was completed party of
contractors were about to purchase
the Lobdel lot between Lombard and
Pine streets. and erect fine row of
houses. Afterwards, when they saw
the condition of the street, they de-
clared they would not build If the
ground was given to them,
Mr.. II. .R. Bringhnrst was of the
opinion that the city owned the CEN
tre of Fourth street and should pay
for the pavement. They had torn
down two market houses in the cetre
of the street, and now wanted the
property owners to pay for paving the
street on which the houses stood.
Finally it was decided to appoint
committee of five to call upon laws
yer and secure his written opinion as
TO the power Of the city to force
payment Of the assessments aad to re-
tain those already paid.
Messrs. VIM. Mr.. Francis, Henry
Pretzchner, Jos. Teas, John Aiken,
Sr., and James Heal were appointed
the committee, and collection was
taken to raise the necessary fee. The
committee at once retained Chas. B.
Lore, Esq.
The chairman Of the committee will
call the next meeting, at which Mr..
Lore's opinion will be read.