The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-04

to Take Into Consideration.
II see The APPEAL taking up the 'front.'
foot assessment scheme as the most avail
\ able way to dispose of the paving ques-
4 tor" remarked DR.. G. b. Thornton TO q
reporter Of that paper yesterday.
Il 81 had heard it claimed that the SUI
N preme Court had proclaimed against that
|1 method Of assessing" he continued, ''and
81 wished 1t were even so. have been called
q upon more than once to meet engage
ments OF that kind, and this is now the
only piece OF property l own that is located
on an unpaved cross street. But suppose
ii everybody wants it | will have to acqui-
esee and finish up in front OF this piece"
"What was your position on the bond
question when it was up for discussion?"
"Well, that seems to be forever settled,
so far as we are concerned. | was moro inn
pressed with one little suggestion l
saw in one OF the papers than any
thing advanced during the entire
heated discussion. 1t was that tho
clamor for bonds came mainly from those
\ who have, in the past year or two bought
kSuburban tracts Of land. They argued
n almost continually that we ought to raise
an immense sum OF money and pave ev-
cry street in the city out TO the corporate
limits. This should be done right away
Well, now, those men who would reap
the immediate benefits would have moth.
ing to pay on the bonds. We, nthe city,
would pay the money for their good. In
due course Of time they would come along
with advertisements booming that prop
erty, claiming that they had paved streets
almost TO the subdivision. All that is
desirable end, but we had better wait UNI
i'll better able TO afford it."
"What is your idea Of pavements-as 10
material, mean?'
81 am going TO take the strongest ground
possible in my annual report, against the
use OF wood in paving. / have written
and talked against IL, and really hattered
myself that | had some influence. II is
singular that, in the light OF what we have
experienced from them, that we should
even think OF returning TO wood. The
public seems 10 be unusually tickle on
every great public question. Less than
ten years ago we were all up in arms
against the Nicoison pavement; now look
at the streets already paved with cedar
blocks, and Others being discussed. can
not understand this forgetfulness, except
upon the presumption that the inhabitants
are looking only TO the noiseless feature.
Any wooden pavement is absorbent. The
older they get the worse they are"
"Anotiior consideration, as understand
It, is economy"
THAT feature Of the subject do not
pretend 10 discuss. deal with IL only rs
sanitarian. IL matters nothing TO mo
whether Il costs s. 600 n yard, or cents
yard. ] merely wish 10 tell the people
what viii give thcm the best pavement,
and leave il 10 them to handle the other
branches. In reviewing pavcments, there
ale three considerations 10 remember viz
Ti'irability, non.absorbcnt, and noiseless-
ness. OF course that is a combination
which cannot be made, and il becomes the
duty OF every community TO make the
nearest approach 10 II possible The finest
pavement in this country, to my mind
and ! care not who NAV take issue with
me on that points that ON the streets
Of Washington, the superior grade Of
asphaltum. lis surface is smooth, and
vehicles running over IL make no moro
noise than they would on rubber. They
are cleaned every night thoroughly. as
only smooth streets can be. do not be-
lieye, however, that It could be- success.
fully applied here. leaving the expense
out Of the question. The next pavement
90 even approach that Of Washington
Is good brick pavement. They are
durable, non-absorbent and almost rs
noiselcss rs the wooden pavement. saw
that specimen at Nashville, heard how
long II had been down, and observed the
practical effect OF II. The pavement was
not well kept, but Il was preserved suit-
GENTLY well 10 show that II could be done.
Now, | do not believe there is any soil in
Shelby County, or in Fayctto, from which
the proper sort Of bricks could bo made;
perhaps there Is In Harleman, for | am
Informed that experts have located n de-
post Of that peculiar clay suited 10 the
manufacture Of paving bricks. After
bricks come granite, rubble stone and
other hard paving materials In common
use"
"Arc there any other reasons, aside
from that Of non-abs0rption Of material,
which enter into the sanitary treatment Of
the sIbjectY'
Eyes. Rough, harl pavemen,s, which
cause unusual noise from vehicles passing
over them, are productive OF nerve dis.
eases That feature OF the ease has not
received very much discussion In this
S.y,ry, but Il Is a fact, nevertheless, aud
consideration we should take up. Sew
eral years ago, In Paris, Il underwent
proiractcd aud scientific discussion, which
saniinrians all over the world followed
with great deal OF interest. People gen.
orally regard yellow fever, small pox,
scarlet fever. diphlhoria and such like, as
the only diseases demanding extraordinary
measures 20 prevent Diseases pertaining
90 the nervous system should be placed In
the same category, and are equally pre-
ventablc"
DR.. Thornton, departing from the pave
mcnt question In a sanitary light, said
that the sanitary department OF the Tax.
ing District should be separated from that
OF streets and bridges and form distinct
ono, with fund " lis own In the budget.