The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-03-04
aREIGIAN BoosTERs,;
Return of the IhyestlZa.ors Last Might
what They Thip!K Of the Payements
and PittabuPRh

Return OF the InVestig ators Last Night
what They Thip1 OF the Payements
and PIttsbaFgb.
Our reporter was compelled to close his
account OF the pilgrimage Of the Streets,
Alleys and Grades Committee and others
OF this city to Pittsburgh, at point at
which the inspection began. There are
several different styles Of paving in vogue
in Pittsburgh, viz: the cobbls stone,
Nicholson pavement, Asphaltum and Bel
gian, the latter themost recentintroduction.
The hour was late when the inspection be-
gan. in the neighborhood Of City Hall, but
smithfeld street, Fifth avenue, Wood
street and other avenues were critically
examined. The two latter were paved
with the Nicholson pavement several
years ago, but by constant exposure to the
heavy transportation wagons, drays, car
riages and other vehicles, they were rapid
ly cut TO pieces and ruined.
This necessitated the construction OF
something new and durable, and ct the
same time something that would satisfy
the people in the matter as the
Nicholson pavement had been laid at an
enormous expense, and It's rapid demoli-
ton and destruction rendered the laying
OF one, that would at least last until 1t was
paid for, a necessity, and the Belgian
pavement is result Of this deficiency in
the other. II has been down now for
some time and giving general satisfaction.
The Belgian pavement consists OF pieces
Of Ligonisr or Maryland granite, so-called,
cut into blocks OF about three inches In
thickness, one foot or more in length, aud
probably four 10 six or seven inches in
width, and Is set edgewise in the streets,
the interstices being filled with gravel or
very coarse sand. II Is called Belgian
from the circumstance that it was first in
use in Belgium. II has been tested with
flattering success in many cities, and Is The
pavement.
The City Engineer, Street Commissioner
and other gentlemen in the party took
great pains in explaining not only this
pavement, but also their system OF repairs,
sewerage and in brief whatever OF in
terest there might be in the streets, alleys
and grades OF their city.
After thorough examination Of these
streets the committee adjourned for sup
per. After which they were taken to the
Opera House to hear Ada Cavendish, who
is now performing in that city. Nothing
further was done that night, and at 8 A. NJ.
yesterday the entire party met at City
Hall, where carriages were in waiting TO
take them to the thoroughiares they
wished TO examine.
Fourth and Fifth avenues were examin.
ed, and also Penn avenue. Mayor Lid.
dell, the City Engineer, Street Commits.
sioners and other officials accompanied
them. After thorough examination oil
all these streets and many others, in q
cursory manner, the reservoirs and water
works were inspected, and favorably com
mented upon, and at one o'clock the
party returned to their hotel.
Nothing Of concerted character was
done during the afternoon, the excur'
sionists amusing themselves by examin'
ing other improvements, visiting old For,
Pitt, the public buildings, or whatever o.
interest presented itself, and at P. N
took the train for home, where they ar
rived at 1880, well satisfied with theil
trip and unanimous in their expression OIL
opinion as to the hospitality and kind.
ness, not only OF the Mayor and Other
officers Of Pittsburgh, but OF her people in
general. Mayor Liddell gave the com
mittee his entire time during their stay,
and was unremitting in his attention and
kindness to each and all Of them, and the
same may be said Of all the officials who
went around with them and entertained
them.
As the results OF the trip very little can
be prognosticated at present. The commit
tee individually were very much impress
sed with the general usefulness, durabili
ty and desirability Of the Belgian pave
ment. They recognized the fact that with
this pavement laid down in the streets Of
this city, that for years and years we would
have comparatively no trouble 80 far as
streets were concerned, that such move.
ment would add indefinitely to the value
OF real estate, would make the city more
attractive, and numberless other advanta.
ges would result, but then, the cost. The
citizens would never consent TO pay s. SO
or s. Copper square yard for such an i'm.
provement. Taxes were too heavy now.
We pay thousands OF dollars an.
nuhiy w GeItaih Cihoo VI ptVPle
for scraping mud in hillocks, and letting 1t
remain until the next rain scatters
them again, which any one can see is a
useless expenditure. Other large sums
are paid to men with horses and carts,
who nearly regard themselves as city
pensioners,and whom no average railroad
contractor would have in the same town.
ship with him, and in many other ways
Is the money that should be expended In
permanent improvements dissipated.
The cost OF Belgian pavements Is at first
sight little steep" but with what money
is set aside for street improvement, a large
section Of any street could be paved each
year, and 1t would not be long until our
principal streets could be put in good con-
dition.
It is not known what report this COM
mittee will make. All are well pleased,
but "the ducats, oh! the christian ducats."
FATHER KREUscH AdAIN.-The INTEL
Tr6RNcRR NJ Santemher 18th 1870 nnh