The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-01
WHERE is THE SALVATION
WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THE
STREETS OF THE CITY, !.
Pavemsnts Going Down at . Rapid Rate
With No Funds on Hand or In Sight to
Raciaim Thsm--A Sample OF Georgia
Granite.

What is to become Of the streets Of the
city? eer
The winter is gone, spring has passed,
the summer is here and the streets are in
worse condition than at any time since the
city has had pavements.
Those who have attended Legislative
council meetings duling the last few
months have been eye and ear witnesses
to proceedings that cannot be strained into
anything like hope for improvement either
in the near or remote future. The levy
for street purposes amounts to $4,000 a
year. From this 'boodget" is to be taken
money for bridges, culverts and everything
pertaining to street improvement, includ-
ing payment oil the city engineer corps.
When II is remembered that suburban
streets and alleys are continually calling
for attention, II is not difficult to see where
the inevitable drain on the street fund pre-
cludes any possibility Of repaving the city.
That Memphis must do this in order to
maintain her commercial supremacy and
keep up with the procession into which
she has fallen through force Of natural ad-
vantages no one will dispute.
"What has become OF your gurneys?''
inquired an APPEAL reporter of Mr.. Robt.
Galloway, junior member Of the firm Of
2. NJ. Patterson K Co.
"Relegatcd to the shades OF the Boston
manufacturing concern" was his reply.
"After brief experience it became clear
TO US that two wheel vehicles were not des-
tined to become hot fayorites while the
streets were in their present condition. II
was almost torture TO ride In them, and
next TO impossible 10 keep your seat, ow-
ing 10 the frequent and sudden plunges
from ono side to the other. We have
ordered instead OF the two wheeled CUR
neys four-wheeled ones"
Mr.. Galloway was then asked what he
thought Of the prospect for improving che
streets.
~ see nothing like prospect-perhaps
would not krow one IL did see il.
have been thinking for some time OF rails
ing, II possible, enough money by private
subscription 10 pave block ON one OF the
prominent streets with Georgia granite.
True they are costly, but undoubtedly the
finest paving material known at the pres
cnt day. We can get hem here at "A
cents block, and 10 this must be added
the cost OF Tishomingo gravel for founda-
ton purposes, and the cost OF laying tho
pavement. But here is the beauty OF it,
once laid and well laid Il Is good for an age.
When one side OF the block wears out,
which will not be for years, 1t can be turned
and made rs good as new"
''Do you think you can succeed In rails
ing enough money for this purpose2''
ut is extremely doubtful. 1t Is hard
matter 10 raise money for any purpose by
private subscription In Memphis. II do
succeed Anticipate that the public will he
welded 10 the granite pavement system
and bring such pressure TO bear on the city
authorities that they will have to pave the
streets with that material"
How are they going 10 pave the streets
with Georgia granite when they cannot
now pave Il with brickbats, even II the
latter material could be had at sl.00 per
carload?"
at can not be done on cash basis. II
the entire $40, 900 levy were expended on
pavements alone the work could not be
done inside OF twelve or fifteen years. At
the end OF that time the street first paved,
through neglect, would have 10 be rcpayed,
and no on over the whole city, thus max.
ing the task an endless one, and dcpriylng
the people OF a satisfaction incident 10 a
complete system. My idea Is, has been
and will ever be 10 issue paving bonds 10
the amount OF $4,000 or 81, 900, 900, or
whatever sum II will require, tind pave
the city thoroughly. Then take SO, 900 OF
the $40, 600 levy and take up that amount
OF the outstanding bonds. This will leave
10000 or more Tor incidental expenses,
repairs, etc, while the tax Is not increased
nj all. In the meantime we will have en-
joycd the beauties Of good pavements, the
city will have grown and every one will be
happy"
mcnis as promoter OF general pros
pcrity?"
Without thcm Il is idle 20 talk OF
booms, unprecedented growth and such.
l believe that an inventory should be
taken OF the streets just rs n merchant
does with his stock, nj Intervals Of six
months or less. Take this block in front
OF my house for example. IL has gone
down within the last six months at least
30 per cent Within the next three
months Il will not be less than IS per cent.
That Is the.irouble. Our pa,cments are con-
tinually going down aud there Is no money
on hand or in sight 10 build thom up.
When / was in Cincinnati a few months
ago asked several prominent business
men what had been the effect Of the city's
large outlay for granite pavement Tho
immediate reply was Il Is the best
Investment tho city has ever made.
Our city council at recent meeting
awarded the contract for granite blocks TO
Mr.. Maher, Of Atlanta. / received q lot
ter from him recently, In which he stated
that he had not had the pleasure Of filling
q single order. lilo Is pushing work al
Nashville rapidly, 10 just finishing up at
Cincinnati. and says he would Ike 10
much 10 begin IN Memphis. The wealthy
property owners. however, are opposed 70
debt, and there Is no likelihood Of his
shipping granite 10 Memphis for yeau, u