The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-27
THAT PAVING BUSINESS.
PRESIDENT MADDEN FIGURES FA-
voRABLY ON OUTSIDE STREETS.
An Intelligent View From Maj. Joseph
Burney-E Estimate the Total Cost.
Petition the Legislature. and Two
Thirds of the Money win Be Raised.

President MADDEN is determined in his
opinion that other than the main streets
should be paved. This view OF the case is
based upon the following calculation, as
expressed to an APPEAL reporter yester-
day;
''Were we TO expend $4,000 on Main
street. property valuations would not be
increased 81 Of this amount. The abutting
property would subscribe one-third Of this
amount, the street car company another
one-third, leaving the city to supply the
remainder. This looks like 1t could be az
forded, but the results would be eminently
more satisfactory in another direction, as
you will agree when the argument is pre-
scented. Take Manassas, for example. Only
suppose we were to receive subscription
OF one-half the amount necessary TO pave
the street, we put up the remainder and
made the street an admirable and solidone
from end to end. Would not the value be
increased so per cent? Revenue for the city,
YOU SET, on assessments, and ultimate wealth
enough TO attend to the entire city. Then,
too, we have fattering prospects foraeran-
tie pavement on Main street, free OF charge,
from the successors OF the Memphis City
Railway company, who come on about
five years hence"
Here is another intelligent view OF the
matter expressed ina communication from
Mai. Joseph Burney, at one time con-
nected with the United States engineering
corps at this point
To the Editor Of The Appeal.
President MADDEN very Justly states that
Il is not his business 10 raise the money TO
pave the streets, but II is his duty to tell
the citizens how much he requires for that
purpose; whether he requires 81 100000 or
$l0,OO0,O0O. Let the city engineer give US
an estimate OF the cost TO put every street
and alley inside the city limits in first. class
condition and the cost TO keep them in re-
pair for the next ten years. let the citi-
zens petition the Legislature TO levy an
annual tax to pay this amount in ten yeaiS
with per cent. interest added, allowing
each property owner right TO pay the ter
years tax at once and save the per cent
interest.
On property whose owners are unable
or unwilling TO advance the tax allow th,
city government 10 issue certificates OF in
debtedness against the property, allow tho
purchaser per cent. interest and give
lien ON the rent II the tax Is not paiC
yearly when il becomes due.
have faith in the pluck and enterpris'
Of Memphis, and believe over two,third
OF the tax would be cheerfully paid AM
the other third could be raised from on
capitalists without the city government
being responsible for single dollar. y.
The county has been doing splendi'
work on the roads and from the benefit
we have seen We want the work to go o.
and are willing to pay for 1t, but we oejec
20 the subscription plan. Many OF u
gave an amount equal TO, from ten I
twenty ycars, what our road tax would bC
while some Of our neighbors, equally IL
terrsicd, .,ayo-nolhing.
There are hundreds willing to pay te
years road tax in advance and consider
one Of the best investments We can max
for the improvement OF our property.
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