The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-09-20
Az ExAMpLE ron OUR roLLowINo


stood out most prominently heretofore as
the populated mud-holes OF the Lone Star
state, have fourished and iloundered winter
aud summer without rival in that par
ticular, ARE Dallas and Houston. The press
OF both places and the more progressive
citizens Of both have kept up an incessant
appeal for such improvements a. would
give to the cities an air of cleanliness and
psrmanency, as well as n metropolitan APP
pearance, both from considerations of
finance and health, and after 50 long a.
time some disposition is being manifested
to catch up with the age in this particular.
II is being seen, indeed, what has all along
been urged, that the costs of such improve
ments are simply Investments that will
rebound in greater population, business
and increased value of property as well as
multiplied comforts, respectable appearance
and better health. The movement has.yet to
be practically inaugurated in Dallas, but it
Is encouraging to know that there are some
men in the city council and government
'h' NV why HlbEi'5olNN
and modernized enough to know that good
streets and sidewalks are necessities for
such large and promising city as Dallas,
but they are determined to spare no effort
nor agitation until something is done, and
have at last commenced the fight in earnest
But as for Houston, she has forged ahead of
us, has already gone TO work, can even now
point to extended and permanent improve
ments, which, though so recently made,
the people would not part with for
twice their cost. What on earth is
the good of living individually
or collectively, without comforts,
merely for the sake of living, existing be-
cause afraid TO cease to exist The city Of
Houston has set us an example that would
be disgraceiul to us not to follow. We
have as great need for extensive city i'm
provements, are fully as able to make them,
and have from our situation and rapid
growth every reason to anticipate greater
returns thercfrom. ALDERMAN CARTER, of
our city, has received from NICn-pREsIpESr
JORDAN, of the Central road letter
which he last evening intended to
submit to our council giving the
cost and character OF the work done in
Houston, and it can be seen therelrom that
durable sidewalks and pavements can bo
had for comparatively little money. In
Houston the cost was about $1,000 per
block, but Mn. JORDAN thinks that the
same work can be done here tor
$4,000. 1t is safe to say that both
Elm and Main streets. from the public
square to Sycamore street, or at least
twenty blocks, can be soidly re.
paired and paved for 100000. What is
this sum to such u city as Dallas And il
must DO remembered, too, that this cost
will fall upon both the city and individual
propcrty.holders. Neither will have tc
bear the whole burden. In twelve month,
after the work was completed, not bust
ness man in Dallas would have it undon,
Tor twice the money. We again, therefore
urge upon our council and citizens the
necessity for prompt action and an attcn
tive and favorable consideration of the fact,
and figures furnished by the experience d
Houston, Winter il coming ON, the indi
cations are those of heavy business
strangers and capital will be here, and moi
to take some definite aud progressive steps
rs suggested will be simply suicidal
For the benefit of the public we extract IN,
| following from Nh. JoEpAN's letter to Al
prGNAN CARTER: "rho paving now beinl
laid was contracted Tor by mo ~ yicc-prcsi
dent of the Texas Mining and Manufacture
ing company, under the Boston specifics
tons, practically as follows -Four inche.
of sand and gravel, and eight inches hare
rock, the rock to bc from six to lively,
inches long, from four to eight inches wide
and uniformly eight inches deep; the SAND
and gravel to be laid four inches thick, I,
such grade rs may be designated by Ia,
city engineer. The rock is laid upon tho
gravel and carefully settled in place with .
ram Of Seycnty.tiyc pounds weight, tho
rock surface 10 conform to Grade as required
/ by city engineer nil intersticcs to bo care
fully filled with sand and gravel, etc. Fol
doing this work | received from the cit,
Of Houston sos per superficial yard
and thirty-throc cents per lmeal foot
for ourbmG. The CURLING is foul
inches thick, twelve inches deep
and as long as stone can he had. Tn,
Curbius was laid SO as to project two incho
above and below the paving. In addition
the city paid hny cents per cubic yard TO
all excavation over and above twelve mchc
deep-so that you see my price Of $40
covered the cost of doing twelve inches o
grading wherever necessary, To DO thi,
work, two blocks 950N6i and two intcrsec
tons GixSO each, had to do or furnish
s,02l 5.lO cubic yards grading at ~ cents
SoN3l; 500 cubic yards gravel at SEQ
SLIGO; l,27S cubic yards rock, cost O
quarry, ireights, etc, SI-SS,92i, 5,IG
superficial yards paving at - oents-Sl,9 20
incidental hauling, Sl25-or total, Sl3,063l
The above is not claimed to be exact, an,
you must understand that the rock wa
hauled two and onc.half miles |,
wagons aud 375 miles on cars, and In,
gravel was hauled about no miles. | be
liovc that such close personal attention a