Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-11-15
paVe,nnSnfS.

Mr.. Ednor:-On returning yesterday from
Chicago, was pleasantly greeted with the an
nouncement that the Assistant District En-
gineer, in an official report, now formally de-
clareS that "the days of patent pdyement5 ana
paving rings are numbered" that pavementS
formerly '.held by monopOlistS at s.. 2s 70 81 10
per yard, are now laid at S1.I5 IN the very best
manner and OF the best material. with fair
margin of profit to the CONTRACTOR
This is peculiarly gratifying to those OF us
who for years have been insisting that such
the greatest needs of cities durable pavements
honestly laid, and honestly paid for"
1t will be well remembered how one effort in
that direction, in July, 1877, was met with Wig
OrouS protests, both verbal and written and
among other objections, (besides those personal
to the lowest bidder, was that the price de-
mandea was wholly inadequate. The only an
swer was: alt shall be tried,' and it was. From
that day to this no unduly expensive pave
ments have been laid in this District. Now
then, how can this exemption from excessive
cost in District Improvements be enjoyed?
Only by the unremitting vigilance of the people
OF the District.
Doubtless such watchfulneSs is claimed for
the past. But let me ask how many citizens
know what was attempted at the last session Of
Congress in respect to District Improvements?
We will take this matter Of paving, Tor example.
Even after good pavementS, both of stone and
OF asphalt, had been laid last year Tor consider
ably less than two dollars (s2) per square yard,
some at $1.I3 and si.15, bill was introduced
into the Senate authorizing $500, 900 to be mme-
expressly naming three dollars tss) as the limit
or maximum to be paid to contractors per
square yard. A startling feature OF the bill was
the appointment of special and salaried COM
mission of three persons, who should have abso-
lutte control of the entire matter, making the
contracts, measuring the work and dsbursing
the funds, and entirely ignoring the District
Commissioners, who were receiving salaries for
just such service, and for the protection of the
government and the citizens from eXtiavagant
expenditure OF the public money. Again, later
q v nj
square yard was inserted in the bill for the
permanent government OF the District.
q, Inc senate debate on that clause is 1nstluc-
tive reading. The impression honestly prevailed
among the senators that good paving could not
be done for less than 50 per square yard. and
they had generally been SO informed. State
ments by Senator Bayard and others to the
contrary, and based upon data that had been
carefully furnished them, We're pronounced era
neous. and the s. feature was passed by heavy
majority. Prompt conferences We're had that
evening and the following morning with many
SenatOrs-abe and consistent friends OF the
D1Str1ct-and some were conducted to the good
paVementS that had been laid at 81 rs and less
and that had stood the test. They convinced
the Senate Of the truth OF the statement that
had been confidently made to the effect that:
paving can be Wen and durably laid either
with stone or asphalt for two dollars and less
per square yard The vote OF the day before
was reversed. and 50 named as the maximum
per square yard, and subsequently the confer
ence committee omitted naming any sum
IL being demonstrated by the experience OF
the past sixteen months that with careful m m
agelnent excellent pavements can be laid. Tor
less tlian 50 per square yard, we are prepared
10 repeat and SubStantiate the declaration made
TO the Senate committee. that with the exercise
OF like economy in the past. washington would
now be the best paved and severed city on this
planet" We trust it may become 50 in the near
future.
Other cities are watching our experiments in
paving with intense interest. and letters Of in
quiTy concerning them are frequently addressed
to me, TO which this may serve as a reply one
OF these inqufrers occupying, as he does, the
front rank in the legal fraternity Of great
city, is curious TO know whether it is possible
to combine in asphalt pavements the two
features OF moderate cost and durability We
can now answer yes. The great desideratum is
that the eyes of good citizens shall be open and
keen. Every taxpayer should consider himself
sentinel, with death to his interests ii he
slumber at his post. Cities are the wens ave
the tumOrs upon the b0dy-poltic. They
threaten the life OF the nation, and the stability
OF republican. institutions everywhere. Disguise
II as we may our only hope is in the vigilance OF
the people. THOS. b. BRYAN
November IL. 1878