The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-11-16
IMPROVE THE CITY

and in winter is heard in reference to its
miserable condition in the matters of clean
illness and the locomotion of its citizens
Generally We find that most cities of this
size are passabe during one season or the
other, but when it transpires that AT no
time Of the year city is as il should be for
the convenience of its citizens, it is about
time something were done. No stranger
who visits Dallas, however much he may be
impressed with its activity, life and growth,
but feels himself compelled to enter pro-
test against the present general physical ap-
pearance of the place. 1t is a notorious
fact that there is not in the broad cxpansc
of this Union city of.our size and Prcten-
tons, a city with the same business and as
sesscd value property, and the same rapid
growth, that is so poorly equipped in the
matter of streets, sidewalks, parks, or what
ever goes to make up the general appear
ance, and beauty and attractive
ness of town as Dallas.
This state of affairs should certainly and
speedily be changed. Why must mud and
filth and debris of every description, rot
ting sidewalks and imperfect cutters be left
untouched to poison the air, rctard bust
ness, keep strangers away, and jcopardize
the health of nearly 10000 people? Atten-
ton has time and again, through these col
umns, been directed to the necessity for
city improvements, for better streets, good
sidewalks and efficient sewers, and it may
not be uninteresting to the citizens gener-
ally to indulge in a few figures and offer
some pertinent suggestions on the subject.
The fact that these improvements are badly
needed no one will deny and the only ques-
ton now is, can and ought they to be made?
The assessable value of the city property is
at the present time in round numbers
$G0OO,000 at least, though we are aware of
the fact that it is put down at less.
Now, suppose 100000 were subscribed by
the city, this, together with what property
owners would have to subscribe, and no
doubt would chcerfully furnish, would give
Us fund sufficient in every respect for the
creation of n system of sewerage and the
matchmaking, paving ami placing durable
crossings on two or three principal thorough
fares throughout their whole extent that
would be an ornament or credit to any city
in the land of even double our population.
This 100000 in the present growing and
prosperous condition of Dallas and with its
tritling debt could be easily floated at G per
cent. This would iasten upon us an
annual interest in this particular of $4,000,
which, however upon n rough calculation,
would only entail tax OF about one-ffth
of one per cent. The bonds can be made to
run for twenty or forty years, say, and does
any one now living in Dallas suppose for Il
moment that debt such as that twenty
years hence with all the wealth and growth
that we are reasonably anticipating in the
next decade or two would prove burden
some or even troublesome? And is there
now a property-owncr in the corporate linz
its with so small n soul that he prefers to
take the mire and the filth, the null
titude of Inconvenience of travel
which now exists rather than pay the
paltry one-iifth of one per cent tax,
to say nothing of the increased attractive
ness, accessibility and consequent increase
in value to his property? Let some of our
merchants ponder on these figures. Sun
pose they are owners of business house
worth 5000, what would it cost that man
or firm to have satisfactory sidewalks in
front Of the door, passable street or n
crossing leading to their place of business
that the shopping public could use and
would in fact use with pleasure? Only SO,
and to hesitate for moment over such A
proposition is indicative of want of bust
ness sagacity and penuriousness almost
criminal. A case in point illustrative of
the benefits of such changes may not be in.
appropriate here. In New Orleans when
Mr.. Caldwell desired to put down such
pavcmcnts as were thought to be the best,
he was met with strong opposition, hut a
block, his own, was so improved and the re-
suit was so attained. 1t soon became no.
ticeablc fact that business began to grayitate
toward that block; then others were i'm
proved and soon whole street was paved
and improved and rapidly drew business
thther. This settled the matter as Others
had to keep pace or become deserted. Now
Mayor Caldwell, of New Orleans, though
villilied and opposed, has left durable
monument behind him. So was il with
Mayor Hurley, of Galveston, and it is CON-
mon remark that Galveston is the only CITY
in the state. Why? Because she has the
air and mark ofa city, finish and ,conyen
fence that draw and endcar people toward
her. So the first important question, can
this system ofimprovement be done, are
we able to do it, is it feasible by the city Mt
the present time, is easily answered and
after analysis appears too simple to argue.
But while many admit that it is practicable
to do these things and with trifing cost
they are disposed to hesitate and object and
urge the impolicy of the crca-
ton of additional debts. But we
answer why should a city refrain from
using its credit for things necessary and
calculated TO Immediately and directly ben.
eft anymore than individuals or firms?
The merchant goes in debt and rcaps a
handsome profit on his speculation, and so
with innumcrable others. The cost TO the
present generation, as we have seen, would
he hut little and xve nssuna tho4 no s..o.I