The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-11-19
AN INTERVIEW
With an Old Citizen of Wheeling In
Regard to Streets, Alleys
and Grades.

Tho interest in street improvements,
sewerage and the like stirred up by the ar
ticles recently published in the 1ETELLt
orScER seems 10 be on the increase.
Thinking he could probably obtain some
views germane to the subject, reporter
started out yesterday to have some talks
with some OF our old residents who would
be apt to have practical views in ccnnec'
lion with the lettering OF eur thorough.
fares, the improvement OF the sanitary
condition OF our people by a better
system OF drainage, and kindred topics.
The name OF an experienced engineer
and longtime resident OF Wheeling sug'
cested itself. We crossed over Market
street and entering long building, climb
ed mn half hundred steps, more or lees,
and knocked at one OF the four doors in
the long hall, waited for an invitation 10
come in.
A rather gruff voice babe US go 10 the
next door. We went, and timidIy open.
ing the door, as is ye reporters wont, and
d6tIing our hat deterentially as an enter.
ing wedge to the good gracts Of the elderly
gentleman who was tue most prominent
inmate Of the apartment, inquired II Mr..
]. was in.
"What do you want?" spoke up another
gentleman, engaged in writing not fer of.
We explained that 1t was our desire TO
chat with Mr.. J. on the subject OF the i'm.
provement OF our streets, the condition OF
our financep, the Jacob street alleged i'm
proyements, and other subjects concern
ing which his enlightened observation
must have given him opinions which would
be OF exceeding value 10 the public
which held him In such high esteem
That brought him, and with genia! smile
he observed that Mr.. ]. was not in, but
he thought We had de,cribed the present t
speaker pretty definitely, and he would
take pleasure in enUghteping US, II he
had at his command any "reminiscences or
suggestions which We considered OF value.
swell" said the reporter, "do you
know anything in particular about this
much famed Jacob street improvement"
~ cannot say that do, but from what
read and hear should suppose it to be
an i'll considered, di, jOinted job. project.
/
ularity, or for some worse purpose. In
this respect the card oil the Street Com.
missioner probably states fact when he
says it will compare with like jobs in
other parts Of the city,"
you mean that the fault does not lie in
the contract or the superintendence Of il,
but in the system under which such jobs
arc lot and the work done?
"That's Just 1t, cir, said Mr.. O., land
lust az long as the same means are en-.
ployed the same end will be reached"
"What remedy would you propose for
the faults OF the system?'
| Mr.. OIL is hereditary disease, sir.
I think the corrupt matter has so thor.
oughIy pervaded every vein that the only
way 10 eradicate the disease Ia TO cut the
animals tail off behind the ears The
safest and best way Is 10 repudiate the
old system and commence anew"
what do you include in your proposed
repudiation?"
Dir. Dwell, l zee am in for hall
hours chat. Suppose just monopolize
the talk, and criticise the system in detail,
and you question, listen, and when what
you want Ia found, make note Of 1t.
Go ahead" said the scribe, and Mr.. 0
went shesd.
II came to Wheeling more than forty
years ago, and but a lew years after the
city charter had been obtained. The
present system Of grades, and method OF
Improvement hsd then been adopted, and
US great latitude was permitted, because
the amount at stake was uncomfortable,
the errors and faults OF the system
were usually bridged over with the com.
mon senss Of the executive officer.
For instance the grade Of Seventh, now
Woods street, was calculated from the
centre of Centre" to the centre OF
"Quincy" street, distance Of 215 feet,
angle OF which wss given as 6.54' and rise
OF over 81 feet. Now you can see that II
such an ordinance be literally followed
the centre Of Seventh street at the
north end OF Quincy would have been 20
feet above the centre Of Centre street, and
| il uniformity was observed instead OF five
inches the ten feet sidewalk from the curb
to The east line Of Main street the pave.
men! would have rise Of about one foot
and tho elevation above the curb Of Centre
at thirty feet east would be over
three feet. But 10 avoid such incon.
gruities the ordinances have been con-
sideraby amended, and the improvements
made under the dictates Of common sense
and in the spirit otthe ordinances rather
than the letter.
"That is," interrupted the reporter, not
quite plain as to the point made, 'the ordi-
nance 20 col fc,ed with common sense
that the Street Commissioner at that
time ignored It."
Mr.. O Exactly; and cay further,
that the faults Of the ordinance Gre 80 sub.
Yersive OF true system that total absn.
donment OF 1t, either as rule or as pre-
cedent. is the only remedy"
"Whst substitute wonld you suggest"
Mr.. OIL have some suggestiOns
might throw out. II they do no good
they at least, like the dcctof's bread pills,
will do no barn. In the first place, |
would make every piece Of realty sdjoin.
ing projected improvement legally as.
sessahIe 10 pay for the came in proportion
to its frontage In feet upon The i'm.
proved street or alley.
Second, No assessment should be
made upon any isolated block or
square until at least three.iourths Of