Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-10-25

| property
in Washington of the municipal improvements
made here.
1t Is almost lmpractcable to recite with reason
able brcvity the story of the progress made by the
District in the last fifteen years, but it may be
generally stated that its growth has kept full
pace with the most vigorous Municipalities Of the
country during that period.
| From city whose existence was almost in
jeopardy on account Of inadequate attention To
it's street and sewerage demands previous to the
inauguration Of comprehensive improvements
here, its fitness as the capital of great nation
since that era is not on conceded by all but its
+; claims to that distinction defended by those who
; previously cndcavoled to secure its abandonment
as the seat OF the national government.
| Very respectfully,
w. B. WEBE President
| CITY OF CONCORD. EXECUTIVE DEpT.,
| MAYoR's OFFICE,
! CONCORD. N. H., April 7, 1886.
Courtland II. Smith, alexandria, Ia:
| Dear Sir am in receipt of your inquiry as to
the appreciabe difference in our citys population
| aud prosperity by reason of Improvement in our
thoroughfares, but it is not an easy question to
answer. Judging from observation and cxpe
| rience should say that every tity's growth de-
ponds upon the desirability of it place OF res
| ldence quite ss much as place CT business for
| unless improvements keep pace with its growth it
| then only becomes q temporary abiding place
| and its residents are always looking for better
| place for q home" as soon as circumstances per
NIT them to make a change. And there is moth.
| ing which SO quickly commeEds 4 place to 3
| stranger as good roads, good walks and
| clean streets. Whether he walks or drives they
are constantly before him, and if he is much of a
| traveller he will inscnsibly make comparisons
with other cities much to the disparagement of
| those places which do not keep up with the march
of civilization. The city of Concord is really
city of residences aud it holds an enyiabe dis
tiGction for it's cleanliness, its good roads in all
| directions. and its excellent walks and drives
| How much of our population has zen influenced
| to make this their homo" because of the charac
ter of the highways and streets it is i'm possible to
say, but it is sac to assume that upon many who
have been looking for permanent residence it has
had its influence cqually with other attractions
Personally am of the opinion that money cx-
pended in making good and durable streets and
keeping them clean is one Of the best invest
| ments that can be made by any city, and such use
Of funds will give better satisfaction to the tax
payers than almost anything else requiring the
| same outlay.
Wishing could answer your letter mora in dc.
| tail, and hoping that you will from some source
obtain the information your desire,
remain respectfully yours
| EDGAR III. WooDMAN, Mayor.
These express as forcibly as words can the
Importance of such measures for the growth
oil every municipality. Our schools will 10.
crease, for, with the health Of our location,
its accessibility to the capital city, where
can more favorable point be found?
Looking Into the future, what pleasant
picture it would be 10 see our old town or.
namented with vel! paved streets, hand
some houses edged by avenues of trees,
fine road to Washington, making drive
from the monument 10 Mount Vernon an
afternoons recreation.
These are possibilities which depend upon
ourselves. and by turning our thoughts to
this subject and adopting prompt measures
we may, in a few years, see the picture /
| nave drawn and enjoy lis benefits.
The cities that have attained consequence
| from we'll paved streets and attractive side
walks and general regard for their beauty
ana cleanliness arc without number, aud
should have considerable weight with our
| people in the question improvements that
must OF necessity rebound to the general
good.
The city OF Washington, TINT has few nat
ural advantages and no harbor, and little :.
trade, save OF a retail character, bids fair 10
| excel the most splendid cities of the old
world, growing yearly in magnitude, opu.
lence and beauty, and offering many com.
forts and attractions to these seeking n
home. How was this accomplished?
Simply by the courageous employment of
money in discreet way, the openinp IN of
new avenues, and eniarging the streets that
were part "t the plan of the city, and bv
putting down good pavements along i'm.
proved and unimproved property.
NO city IN the world can boast prander
drives or more extensive bouIevards. and
the impetus that has been given to building.
and the stimulus that has been given to
trade is the result Of the streets that now
adorn the capital.
l submit that for The purpose of mproy
lug The streets, as indicated in the foregoing,
some scheme will have 10 be naueurated
Many theories have suggested themselves,
but the most practical, as we'll as The most
equitable, is the following, the merit of
which will be seen at a plapcs and the
methods Of which will operate on ali alike,
Ii Council will pass bill, such bill to he
submitted to the people for ratification, set.
llng forth the prime Importance of improve
ments IN our streets and imposing upon
property owners specific tax of one.6fth
OF one per cent. on personal property and
real estate. Our property amounts to
about i've millions of dollars, and by the
tax of one-ffth of one per cent. ten
thousand dollars per annum can be realized
undertake 10 say that improvements in
our streets would enhance the value of i'm.
proved property from Is to 25 per cent. and
unimproVed property from 90 to 33 per
cent.
A person owning house worth 500 paws
at the special tax of one fifth on one Der
cent. one dollar per aunum, and at 90 Der
cent. increase in value his property would
be worth $500. A house worth $4,000
gould be taxed $50 per annum aad the en-
HANGED value at 20 per cent. increase would
make it worth $4,000. 1t will be seen that
the system will fa4 on all alike.
want to impress this fact upon the
minds OF one and all, that this special assess
ment tax IS 70 Do made only by and with
the consent OF the people as expressed at