Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-12-18
For the SPECTATOR.
More About the Streets-A Reply.

In the last SPECTATOR, a writer, signing him
self MANY Citizens" undertakes TO criticist
and condemn the City Council for allowing
merchants to use the twenty-one inches
sidewalk next to their places of business fol
the purpose of receiving and displaying tnei
wares. The MANY Citizens thus writing II
recognized as the same gentleman who had the
petition present ted to the Council asking thai
no part of a sidewalk should be allowed to be
so used. He is gentleman of acknowledged
moral worth, and of great respectabihty
though, perhaps, a little too Anticipated in hi'
v Jews to appreciate the croWdfng tendency o
the present busting, busy age. If he knew tht
struggles the smaller merchants bavein order tt
pay license taxeS and make buckle and tongue
meet. he would be the last man to begrudgt
them the small space necessary to show theil
z DDS TO attract transient trade. He is a law.
yer, devoted to his office and his books AND
knows and understands the practical needs Of
our merchants no better than the general run
of lawyers do,
In his structures "Many Citizens" correctly
states the action of the Council. committee
reported a most sweeping ordinance prohibit
ing any part of any sidewalk being used by
business people. and it was urged by speech AND
vote by Messrs. Cochran, Trout and Gooch. II
is also true that Mr.. Todd, a member of The com
mittee, refused unite in the report, and offered
a substitute, which was adopted by a very de
cided vote, aud allows a merchant the use OF
one-fourth of a sidewalk next to the house
where the walk is not less than seven feet
wide. And just here let me say, that Council
men Burns. Witt, Marquis, Berkeley, and
Crowls, who voted for Mr.. Todds substitute,
deserve and will receive the thanks of the
merchants for thus protecting their interests,
la
Why should 1t be thought necessary to him
der and otstruct business to stop the COM
plant of a few aged ladies and gentlemen.
even though they be very excellent people
Better stand some croaking rather than have
the city wear all through the week the appear
ance of Sunday.
The recent action of the Council gives the
merchants no new rights. The substitute
adopted and complained OF by MANY Citi
Zens,' is simply the old law revived and PEN
atty attached looking to its enforcement.
But MANY Citizens objects legally. He
says the law of the land gives the entire side
FTRIk To the men. women, children, and stran-
gers in the city, that they claim every foot of
1t, and the Council has alienated 1t from them
in defiance OF law!! Gracious! Is that SO !?
Then how about the big, implanted telephone
poles obstructing Main street, and allowed to
be put there, too, by the votes of his friends,
Cochran. Gooch, and Trout? Is it possible
these gentlemen can legally vote to allow spe-
cial obstruction privileges to one of the great
est and greediest monopolies (Western Union),
and refuse like privileges to resident tax-pay-
ers? Truly. consistency is jewel.
"Many Citizens" closes his appeal with a
threat. The Councilmen, whose votes have not
pleased him in this matter. shall be chastised
fI,a A.
up the gauntlet, and will meet him there.
Up.
Clara Louise Kellogg is to receive $4,000 for
singing twenty nights in Paris,-S60O q night!
No wonder she is in love with DR.. Bulls Cough