The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-20
Mr.. HAppEN's RECOMMENDATION.
An Open Letter to Col. Joseph Lenow
on the Subject OF Street Paving.

An Open Letter to Col. Joseph Lenow
on the Subject OF Street Paving.
President MADDEN has written the fol-
lowing open letter by way Of reply to the
letter Of Col. Lenow, printed in THE Ar
PEAL Of last Sunday, and dealing with the
subject OF street paving:
MEMPHIS, Tenn. March 49, 1883.
Col Joseph Lcnow Memphis, Tenn.
Dear SRI notice your communication
yesterday in TuE APPEAL relative to the
issuance OF bonds for paving.
do not think that have ever pub
lished or advocated the issuance of any
bonds by the city for any purpose, except
for funding the Memphis debt. As you
say, II is a hazardous business, the trouble
being the beginning OF the issuing and
the ending of the issuing. One thing is
certain, however, that the city needs pay
ing, that II requires money to do it, and to
keep up the streets, bridges, drains, etc,
that we already have; and to add to them
such other improvements as rapidly
growing city demands will require very
large expenditures OF money. How that
money is 10 be raised is not my business
am, in my official position, expected to
spend the money that is furnished me,
whether IL be much or little, and am
satisfied 10 only spend the amount 80 pro-
yided me by the people
How would this do, colonel? Have an
act OF the Legislature passed that when
ever the city determines TO pave q street
that the citizens along such street should
pay two-thirls the amount required and
the city from the general taxes the other
one-third, and also the city to pave the in
terscciion OF the streets and alley. The
basis OF this assessment for paving to be
the tax valuation OF property along the
street proposed 10 be paved, and this tax
should be q debt against the property, to
be collected before q magistrate as any
other private debt, but still TO be a lien
upon that property. Whenever street
has been paved and il is determined TO
change the character of the pavement, for.
instance Main street, the abutting proper
ty-holdes should have credit for two
Thirds OF the value OF material upon the
streets to be repaired and the city to have
Il credit for the remain der.
Had we such a law, you will see that the
properiy-holders will pay two-thirds Of the
streets paved and the city would pay the
other third, and the intersections on the
streets, and the City Council would be en-
tircly free 10 select the streets to be paved
the kind OF pavement and the time OF do
ing same.
Considering the benefits received by the
abutling property-holders along any street
that is paved, over and above the benefit
10 the people who live on the otherstrcets,
j think this would be fair adjustment OF
the cost OF paving all OF our streets.
What do you think OF that proposition,
Col. Lenow?
am rs anxious for the property holders,
the non-proporty-holder and the stranger
20 have good sidewalks, perfect sewerage,
pure and limpid water and brilliant illu-
ininaiion rs any one can be. These things
cost money. II you obtain all this by di-
rect general taxation upon realty and capt.
tal, will not your taxes be so high for the
next few years rs to depreciate real estate
and drive new capital away? Very respect
fully, etc.
DAVID =. MADDEN. President.