Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-04-11

VAL h9hNaI hAlAos
The matter of keeping in repair
the sidewalks Of this city was talked
over at the meeting of the council,
OF Monday night. The walks in
nearly every portion Of the city are
in very bad condition, and it ap-
peared to be the general opinion OF
the members Of the council that inn
mediate steps should be taken
towards putting them in good repair.
It is provided By section 10 Of an
ordinance Of the city relating to gen
eral matters, that "all sidewalks
"shall be kept free from all obstruc-
tons and in good repair and con-
dition by the owner or occupant OF
any lot or lots adjacent to such
sidewalks; and upon the failure.
neglect, or refusal of any person to
keep such sidewalks free from OBJ
structions and in good repair and
condition, such persons shall be
"subject to a penalty of two dollars
for each and every days continu-
lance of such neglect, refusal
and failure, after such person
is notified by the city marshal
to remove such distractions or to
"repair such sidewalks.'
And section 20 OF the same ordi-
nance makes it the duty of the
Street Commissioner, upon the fail
"ure, neglect, or refusal of any per-
"son to repair the sidewalks adjacent
to the premises of which such per-
"son is the owner for ten days next
Succeeding his or her notification
by the marshal to repair such side
walk, TO repair the same in such
manner as he shall deem proper,
land at the expense Of the owner OF
" the lot or lots adjacent to such side
=" walks
The experience of other cities in
relation to suits brought for damages
sustained on account of defective
walks, ought surely to be a warning
to US. The city attorney, Mr.. I.
Scott Ansley, at the meeting of the
council Monday night, cited the case
of Mrs. McLimans VS.. the city OF
Lancaster wherein the plaintiff
has been awarded a Judgment for
$4,000, for injuries received on an I'M
safe walk, in that city-and said
that nothing could be surer than
that in suits of this kind damages
would be awarded every time. As
will be seen by the published pro-
ceedings of the council, resolution
was passed instructing the street
commissioner to see that the ordi-
nances relating to sidewalks be fully
enforced.
1t is to be hoped that the efforts
of the council in the direction of i'm
proving the sidewalks will be hearth
" seconded by every resident of the
city, and that the sidewalks be
placed in good and safe condition.
But the matter ought not to be al
lowed to rest here. We believe that
the system Of constructing and keep
ing in repair the sidewalks of Miner
al Point is all wrong, and that there
will be no end Of annoyance until the
system is changed. Walks which
are for the convenience of the public
should be constructed and kept in
repair at the public expense, by a
general tax levied for this purpose.
The city council ought. at no distant
day, to take the necessary steps to Sc
cure an amendment TO the city
charter, that the city may be en-
powered to levy and collect tax for
sidewalk purposes. Our present
method has had a long and fair
trial, and the dilapidated condition
of our walks is sufficient evidence
that it is very unsatisfactory if not
positively wrong.
Grandpa Hugh.
The following, sent us by former
citizen of this place, will be read