New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-29
PEp1TEDENT or FIFTH AVENUE.
A PROTEST By HENRY BEEGH-REPLY By MAYO

A PROTEST By HENRY BEEGH-REPLY By MAYOR
EDISON.
The following correspondence concerning the re-
pavement of Fifth-ayc has passed between Henry
Bergh and Mayor Edison.
To Ge Ho"ora0ie FEANlLN Epson Mayor Of The cP@
SIR: 1t is proposed to repaye Fifth-aye, at a
cost VARYING from $500 900 100000 and bcin
of property fronting on that highway beg leave
to Offer my protest ana for the tooTng res-9ms AM,
convenient knOwu-Ghe improved macadGuiZed alone e&
cepted-and most Of The cities OF Europe are paved WIN
Belgium pavement after the manner OF our avenues ana
numerous other streets
Secondj-It is proposed to replace that pavement 10y
another in every way similar cp AZ to the size of the
stones which to be increased III length few Inches as
yTiTdiy Should this slightly modified pavement or any
other yet discovered he adopted. it Is only question Of
known or at least Impractical by our authorities the
roadway would exhibit the same features which are now
sons OcCasiOuod by the free permission II seems nc
corded everybody to excayate beneath the streets,
him pretext. Having accomplished his purpose,
whatever It may be, the citizen usually disappears
from the scene and is followed by vastly dispro-
portonae and antiquated corps Of men, who slowly re
place the dirt and restore portion OF tie stones either
III the form OF huge umps dangerous ridges, extending
sometimes entirely across the streets In course OF time
these miniature mounds which recall to the mind Of the
behOlder picturesque switzerland In case he has ever
visited it, or If nOt then map OF that bequfu country
making locomoon peril to tic lives and limbs OF men
and animals destructive vehicles, and serving pur
pose other than potcs aud money grabbing
onT and common sense Lei the Belgian pavement with
which so LARGE portion Of the City on New-NOrk Is
paved be properly TCpaTc1 and kent by Government
eyVef not common lahOIers, and make II penal offence
other person 10 remove single stone nom any
roadway Let the lob - mean bill-nOw before the
Legislature he given TO the waste basket. no sooner
would this new, bdt practically OIL pavement be LAID,
than the steam beating Compa ucs, the electric Light
companies tho telegraph companies and other street.
caVators. ould along and the newly paved Nth
ave- would be tenlold thea than II noTis. in its
pUpoSely ne elected cOnd ton.
The only proper substitute for the present pavement Is
the modern macaOamz5d, the stone Of which being MIN
glcd with blumen, prevent water pcrcO.dting H. which
when would lift t cut OF place, Tie sole objection
offered against this pavement by s opponents rs thar It is
dusty But the same objection applies TO the
pets Of houses II they be not swept TIE people OF
this city pay annually about lOODOOc Tor street sweep
ing and politics. and know Of 10 reason why portion Of
and GustiEg done in European cities but II the
manner FfI-avC. is paved Dc no longer suitable,
does not the objection apply 10 all other streets
similarly paved IN Newly DIRK Are they al 10 be taken
up3 aud ii eO what Is 10 be done with the stones VIII
they I've used .aiu up town. and charged second time
to the city, "a have heard il intiulUtcd
Finally il is The opinion OF Psychologists and medical
generally that the d"a'enmg noises OcctSOucd 10y
vehicles passing over stone pdycmcnts shorten human
lie. not 10 ak Of the Injury TO horses by slipping and
therefore are he changed let the macad8nzcd be sub
sttuIed by all means. With great respect,
Nelc-Iort, March %, 1854 HENRY BERCu.
M Henry Bcrgt
Ny DEAR SIR: have the pleasure to acknowledge the
receipt Of your valued letter of The 25th Inst and
thank for the suggestions contained therein. II
good citizens who have most interest IN public matters OF
Tins nature OIld more frequently make suggestions TO
public officials. the duties Of such officials would he made
es sier their duties satisfactorily performed
Yours very truly, FRANKLIN EDISON.
Hrtoy'S once. Ne,c- York, March II. ISL