The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1884-01-05
TALL HATS AND HOUSES
Mark the New Era that Atlanta Enter.
ed after the Great Cotton Exposition
of 1881
Special Cbrrespondence Of The Chronicle

Special Correspondence Of The Chronicle.
ATLANTA, GA, Jan. 1.-During the
Exposition here no comment was more fre-
quently made than the one that Atlanta
was city with village ways and features.
This is still true, but not by any means so
true as in 1881. At that time Atlanta was
a great, struggling town, having one hum
dred and fifty miles of street of which
only three miles were paved. None but
the principal streets had sidewalks of brick.
The mud was simply appalling. and it was
no unusual occurrence for children to be-
come so stuck in it as to need to be rescued
by daring men. Business was, Of course,
greatly impeded during the winter. and on
some streets it was at times utterly sus-
pended. The work of paving began last
year, and already about $50, 900 ha We been
collected from the property owners pecu-
liarly benefited for the paving of five long
streets.
But Atlanta has not only mended her
ways. In almost every respect there has
been an evolution from rusticity and pro-
vincialism. It has always been the custom
for the sheriffs and constables to wear
their hats in the courts here, as, indeed, it
is in nearly all parts OF the State, but
when our new court house, costly and
magnificent structure, was prepared this
year for the sittings of the court, this rude
and uncouth privilege was denied. In
1881 one could see on the streets of Allan
ia no silk hats, now there are few profess
siOnal men without them. Refinement is
the word.
Offices OF professional men, which in
1881 were simply repulsive, are now for
the most part models of cOsiness and COM
fort. In 1881 there were scarcely any
houses four and five stories high. Since
then scarcely building has been erected
in the central part of the city which has
haf old
ones have been unroofed for the purpose
of adding a story or two. The Constitu-
ton, which has by its earnest and CHEEKY
encouragement, contributed more than
| any other agency to the upbuilding and
| improvement of the place, is now itself
| expanding. The new Constitution build
| ing, now in course of construction, prom
| striking edifice in the town. In 1881 there
was in Atlanta, strictly speaking, no
| Chamber of Commerce. This year one
has been Incorporated, lot bought and
bonds amounting to $4,000 put upon the
market, the proceeds of which will pay for
the elegant building whose foundation is
| already laid. Since 1881 three new lines
of street railway have been laid and sew
eral other companies have secured char
ters. Two electric light companies have
been formed and an additional telephone
company. Elevators and every modern
| Improvement are to be found in the lofty
buildings which have been recently erect
ed. Clubs have sprung into existence
one, the Capital City Club of purely So
cial sort, another having for its object the
entertainment of visiting merchants.
Both the Supreme and the Superior
Courts hold now but one session instead
of adjourning AS heretofore at midday fol
dinner. In short nothing is more clear
than that Atlanta is casting aside hel
crackerism. though still proud of the stur.
dy independence and sublime effrontery
which have won for her the name of the
Cracker City, E. I. r.