The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-06-28
THE STREETS. &C.

newspaper headed "Street Improve
ments, covert attack is made against
me in the editorial columns, to which |
will make reply am not sufficiently
acquainted with newspaper customs to
say whether it is allowable or usual to
call in an outsider and conceal him be-
hind the editorial chair to fire off blank
cartridge, but it appears to be fashionable
to say the least.
Perhaps the terrible scraper has been in
too close proximity to his toes, or he
wouldn't have torn around the sanctum
in the manner he is reported to have done.
Having endured uncomplainingly, and
with evident satisfaction, filthy street
and fragrant mud hole directly in front of
his handsome residence, it is wonderfully
strange that he should be so Mortified at
the new order of things. For once, at
least, (thanks to the very efficient Street
Committee,) We have streets that are an
ornament and credit to our little city,
speak now more particularly as to the
upper half of it. Mud holes have been
filled up, bitches cleansed, and the streets
nicely rounded. All made clean and
beautiful and symmetrical, in fact,
hundred times more beautiful than ever
before. Under Democratic admiaistra-
tion of city affairs, all the discomforts and
annoyances could be cheerfully borne by
our friend. We have streets now to be
proud Of. True, it requires some water
to keep them we'll sprinkled, and until
they get properly settled hope the good
people that have a pave wash W i'll apply
it without stint. They pay for the privi-
lege and should have their money worth.
Naturally, some people feel sore and
jealous that the sceptre has departed,
and are disposed to find fault with every
thing Cracking is now the order Of the
day, and every time they look out on the
marked improvement of the streets they
say to themselves why didn't we do
this when we had chance - The fact
is the people had become tired and rest
less at their do.nothing policy, and elect
others to do just what is being done.
The article commences with very
weak attempt at irony, but with the
truth bristling out ON all sides, when he
says that "the law of custom and the
opinion of the citizens of Lambertville
generally, must await the expenditure of
large amounts of money before sewerage
and drainage can be reached, He knows
the people do not want it on account of
the fearful expense. 1t would bankrupt
any city like ours inside of five years.
Look at the City of Elizabeth, N. J. And
yet he would fly into the face of united
people and have it severed at an immense
cost, for what? Simply to benefit select
few who have large interests here. The
people are not fools and do not propose to
be burdened with sewer debt. We had
hard work to get out of the Bounty debt,
aud you know aburDed child breads the
fire. As matter of course 1t must be
done right. All made of cut granite and
LAID in German cement. There must be
no half way work about it, gentlemen.
Missionaries may write it up in editorial
columns from week TO week. in poor CON-
position and more doubtful grammar, but
at least one Centennial more will have
rolled around before these great improve
ments will be brought about, and we are
not Old Fogyish y in our notions either
by long way. As for destroying the
road bed with the scraper, it is unworthy
attention, the veriest .bosh,o and any
child of ten years knows better. In point
of fact it is really the only way to pre-
serve it properly. To show the utter
fallacy of his argument, / would here say
that the same Company sent one here two
years since aud asked permission to grade
1 up one of our streets. Permission was
given and it was tried on Delevan street,
and ever since it has been the driest street
we have. Then follows some "balder-
dash " about the Street Committee having
conferred almost regal power on the Free
holder, to cut and slash right and left,
fore and aft, and the privilege to break
things generally; finding fault because |
say "culvert" in one sentence, and in
the next adopting the same word grum-
bling because they are rough !" fearful
that they will "breed a pestilence,' and
that the "City will become depopulated. )"
Dear Dear! He says put them down
tswithout plan or grade" Perhaps did.
4 But have faint recollection of employ
ing an engineer, who gave the grade when
| made the improvements at the inter
section of Church, Bridge and Ferry sts
with Main st., and If it were not in bad
taste, might say who it was that gave
me the grade. But forbear. ] will re-
mark here that the work | did at the
points designated. was done in q good,
substantial manner, of the very best ma
terial, and to the satisfaction of everybody
except those who can see no good in any
one save themselves. Some people think
they must always have hold of the lines
and drive. Like one of old, they would
"rather rule in perdition than reign in
heaven" Get on the back seat now and
listen. You want culverts and don't want
them. You want streets of Belgian block,
and yet you say the Council did right in
voting the matter down. You even want
good roads up town, and yet hate the
sight of the very thing that will bring it
about Yon think the conservative pol
icy of rs years ago too slow and selfish
for the times, and yet stand ready to
oppose everything to put Us abreast of an
advanced public sentiment. We have
learned from you that decade is
just rs years. Is that SO? ! can
demonstrate that we win have better
streets this year at less than half the cost
usually incurred. have no time to
write newspaper communications. Life
| L. too ehort Tn order that there NAV he