The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-07-23
Grading the City.

The proposition to vote bonds to the |
amount of S. 900 for the purpose OF Sc
curing money with which to grade the |
streets of this city. is a proposition |
which should receive the most thorough |
investigation at the hands of the voters !
and taxpayers.
It's well enough at the start TO rec
ognize that Abilene has no drainage 10
speak of. That is fact which we al
acknowledge, and its constant repeu,
ton by those who sacrifice method anu
iudcm mt to desire to appear llDerai
and progressive. should not be allowed
to scare or unduly influence those VINO
honestly desire to do that which Is Tor
the best interests of the city.
Abilene has no more enthusiastic
friend than the REFLECTOR, and It's
influence is ready at all times to be used
to further her advancement and pro
gress. Occupying this position the RE
FLECTOR is yet opposed to the issue OF
g.. 900 worth of street bonds.
First. it is primarily opposed TO the
bonds because the amount OF money
they would realize is ridiculously small
and would accomplish very little OF the
work which must be done before any
thing like a successful and satisfactory
grade can be established in this city.
To prove this assertion we have only TO
remind our readers that the city, for
the past few years, has had at us dlSpo-
sal some %, 900 or $4,000 each year 10
put into street Improvements. what
has this large amount of money accom-
plished? What would $4,000 accom-
plish? 1t would take five times $4,000
to give even an ordinary uniform grade
to the city. And if the money should
be spent as other street moneys have
been, it would require a State revenue
to grade Abilene.
Second, if it is the intention to make
Fourth street or any other street the
carrier of all the surplus water, 1t is
manifestly the duty of the authorities
to see that the work is of such sub
stantial and slightly nature as will not
injure the value of property on that
street. If the work is done otherwise
the injured property owners can sue
cessfully sue the city for damages. And
to put such a street in satisfactory con-
dition would require the whole of the
proposed $4,000. This will remain
true statement, no matter how the pro-
blem is figured.
Third, there is movement on foot,
at the head of which are our most pub
lic-spirited citizens, TO secure for Abb
lene competing railroad which Will
give the city and county direct commu-
nication with Chicago and st. Louis.
We are assured that such road Is prob
able within the next two years, and
when the time comes il is to the inter-
estS of Abilene to be in a condition to
vote bonds TO the railroad. The sue
cess of the street bonds would destroy
Abilene'S ability to vote aid to the rail-
road, for the reason that such a vote
would make it necessary to exceed the
lawful tax limit, The rate of taxation
is already high; large floating debt
hangs over the city, and the issue OF
$4,000 worth of street bonds would
bring the rate of taxation almost to the
limit, thus shutting out the railroad en-
terprise. And our people, who have
suffered and yet suffer the extOrtiOns
of the Kansas Pacific, should know
which they most desire-a competing
line of railroad or the very imperfect
drainage which $4,000 would give the
city.
The fact of the matter is, the people
of this city are at present unduly eXer-
cised on this question Of drainage. The
rain fall which has flooded the city this
summer is very unusual and may
not occur again for years. And if a
grade should be established now there
is no certainty that it would hot be
changed within year. The grade has
been changed many times in the past.
Let us wait awhile longer until the
city grows large and wealthy enough to
undertake a comprehensive and lasting
system of drainage or sewerage. Per-
haps we shall have large and valuable
railroad property to help pay the bill.