Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-08-22
The Cemetery Committees Report,

The undersigned committee appointed by
q public meeting of citizens, lot owners in
Machpelah Cemetery, to ask the county court
of Lafayette county and the city council of
the city of Lexington for a joint appropria-
ton of money to put the street and road lead
ing from South street in said city to the cem-
etery, In order, and TO build L good
sidewalk along said street and ruad
for the Use and benefit of foOtmen
who visit said cemetery on funeral Oc-
casions, and at other times. Would respect
fully report in this public manner the result
of our labors.
First-We would state that the city council
very readily responded to our call, and as WE
are informed, offered to appropriate one-half
of the amount necessary to complete said
work, provided the county court could be in
duced to do the same thing; and after await
ing the action of said court for a long while
the city council has gone on and has had the
said street graded rs far as the city limits eX-
tend, and has placed the same In first-rate
order for vehicles and hOrsemen, but that
part OF the way from the end of the street to
the cemetery, and over which the county
court has control. is still in its washed and
cut up condition. We would state that the
matter was presented to the county court in
as earnest a manner as we could, and the i'm
pOrtance of the work stated, and shown to
the COURT, but the majority of the court, as
we are informed, thought it inexpedIent aud
unwise for them to vote the appropriation
asked; and we submit to their superior wis
dom and prudence. We are informed how
ever, that the court will have the road under
its control, repaired and put in as good con-
dition as the street has been put by the city,
and for this we are thankful. We have been
told that on divers occasions the general rev.
enue fund of the county has been made to
supply the deficiency of the general county
road fund. We know that Lexington and
other Incorporated towns OF the county con-
tribute largely to this general county revenue
fund, and we also know that Lexington
shares no part of, and derives no immediate
benefit from this county road fund, and we
are slow to see any good reason why the
county court should refuse to allow a small
portion of the county road fund 90 toward
making the road to our cemetery, where lie
the dead kindred. not alone of citizen of
Lexington, but also OF the county and state,
10 a great extent, passable not only for those
who can afford to ride i'll carriages and on
horseback, but also the poor fOOtman who
would follow the remains of his dead to the
verge of the grave, aud who would assist in
paying the last tribute of respect to the dead
OF others. But the majority of the court
could not view the matter as we do. and re-
fused to vote the appropriation. We submit,
but respectfully urge upon them the duty OF
at least having its rOad to tie Cemetery put in
as good condition as the other rOads Of tie
county.
We are glad to refer to the present condl-
ton OF our cemetery. 1t Is In better condi-
ton now than we have ever known it. MIR.
GGhner and the sexton, Mr.. Geo. X. Smith,
deserve the thanks of all our citizens. Our
cemetery, II kept in their hands, and if it re.
ceives their attention and care in the future
as in the past few months, will be an orna-
ment to our city, and Il delightful resting
place for cur sleeping dead. IN order to keeI
it in its present and still improved condition
the undivided constant care and labor of Il
watchful man is needed. and to pay for the
services OF such u man. the proceeds arising
from srave-digging and other work done tt
the private lots is not sufficient. 1t is mo-
reasonable or Just to ask or expect Il man tt
work for nothing, or to look to Mr.. Gehncl
TO pay Tor such ser 'lces out of his own peck
ct. lie owns the unsold lots, and is therefore
interested in keeping the grounds i'll nice or.
der that he may invite Others to bury theil
dead tn re, and thus dispose of his lots. Blu
every individual who owns il lot in the GENE
terry and has loved ones buried therein. Ii u i
higher and stronger incentive To keep Ih,
streets and alleys and grOu DIS Of thi, city o
the dead in the very best order. We, there
fore. recommend that each aud every 10
owner be assessed annually the sum of on,
dollar on his or their lot, and we sugge.t an,
urge that MIR, Gehner proceed to collect thi
assessment at once, in order TO pay Mr.. Smitl
for his faithful services, and to retain him Il
the sexton in the future. While this assess
ment Is a voluntary matter and no one cal
/ be compelled TO pay it if be does not wish t.
do so, still it is so reasonable, so necessar
and so desirable, that We believe that no on
who is able will refuse to contribute TIN
small sum toward identifying and adOrnin
) and thus preserving our own dear Macl
pelah.
With great respect we are yours. &c,
JOHN F.. RYLAND,
&. .. GRIMES.
, Il. II. JOHN,
,