The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-02-18
The Forty ThOusad Dollars.

The Forty ThOussd Dollars.
1t is evident that "his honor" and MAORI
ty of the city council, ARE opposed to the scheme
of borrowing $4,000. Even should the meas
ure pass the council, there is little prospect of
its being approved at the ballot box with luke
warm support from the city administration.
Such being the outlook, let us consider what
we can do with the $40, 900 which ''his honor"
says We shall have for public Improvements.
First, this money might be divided equally
between the four wards of the city.
Second, it should be determined how the
money should be expended.
hould share equally all expenditure along the
line Of their division, which would include the
two squares, Commerce street, and its western
continuation.
The Main square requires to be graded to
a level with the surrounding property and laid
off with walks and sodded with grass, if moth
ing else, this season.
The Military plaza should be properly laid
off, with wide marginal streets;-the barbar-
Gus matchmaking on its eastern side taken
up and the material used elsewhere.
This square work. will have to be done
largely at the expense of the city, but $1,000
will make a good beginning. This would
leave $4,000 between the two wards. or
this amount $1,000 should be devoted 10 put
ting the present macadamzed streets in per-
feet repair.
The remaining $4,000 could be used to
put down wood pavement on Commerce
street. 1t could constitute the city's share OF
the cost.
The sd and 4th wards could dispose of their
$50, 900 in similar manner.
This would be one way, and perhaps the
easiest way, and would yield general satsfac-
ton.
But there is another way that suggests itself
to the attention of the city, and that is for the
city to use the money to equip it with COM
plete working outit--carts, horses, &C., and
to do the work to the extent of the means on
hand.
The city certainly should own complete
working outft-and $4,000 would furnish
such an outfit and run it for one year.
This last plan requires executive manage
ment. In the hands of driving, energetic
man it could be made to accomplish great
deal of work, and the city could be put in ex-
cellent condition for the next season of wet
weather. But because it will require labor
and attention it is not likely to be adopted.
A Subscribers Notion of San Pedro Park.
Editor EVENING LIGHT:
While your position is certainly correct about
the city park at San Pedro Springs, think
you are too hasty in trying to frighten off Mr..
kerbel who would redeem much that has been
lacking in the present management. under
stand these parties would have taken Wood
wards gardens, of San Francisco, as model,
and made the springs attractive. AS it is we
will have to endure the present nuisance for
two years longer. SUBSCRIBER.
If we have scared somebody we are glad Of
it, if we have even startled somebody to a
sense of duty, we are satisfied. We don't
know, who Mr.. Kerble is, and so far as Wood
wards gardens are concerned they are not the
model for our San Pedro springs.
The improvement of our park should be a
matter entirely under the control OF the city.
The matter of dispensing refreshments or keep
ing bar-room or dancehouse at the springs
is another affair, and if allowed should be
restricted to certain spot, and not allowed to
spread over the entire premises, to the detri-
ment of those visitors who do not care to
dance or drink beer.
Mr.. Kerbel will, of course, consult lawyer
and ascertain the exact character of the lease
without any suggestion from US; we are aware
of the fact that the present parties have as
sun,ed sort of proprietorship, and Mr.. Ker-
bel may imagine he is acquiring a very nice
piece of real estate. We don't want the park
turned into woodward garden. But if Mr..
Kerbel will take the unexpred lease of Duer-
Ter, and for the use of the premises agree to
put them in nice order and keep them subject
to the terms of the lease, we shall endorse the
transfer as better than allowing the present
condition of things to continue. But if
Kerble falls through let the city see what it can
do We are satisfied the park ran he takep