Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-08-16
IMPROVE TIE STREETS.

seriously considered in st. Clairsville, an
there is some hope that the experimen
of paving one square will be tried within
the next year. There is little doubt tina
if this can be successfully done all of MaiI
street will be paved within the year fol
lowing. Contracts are being let now a
about S5c per yard
There is nothing that speaks so well foI
town as good streets nothing that 81
fully commendS it to the good opinions
of strangers; and that well paved street:
enhance the value of property more than
the cost of the improvement is the expe
rience of all towns where such improve
ments have been made. There is no doubt
of this fact. When street improvement
was commenced at Bellaire very many
clear-headed men down there doubted the
wisdom of shOuldering such an expense
but once few squares We're laid-lifted
out of the mud and dust, and so clean and
smoOth-all the people saw the desirable
/ ity and value of the improvement, and it
! has gone forward until the best part OF
/ the town is paved. One of the most con-
seryative citizens (NIr H. ROemer) said to
| the writer few months ago that he would
not have the pavement in front of his pro
perty torn up, and go back to mud and
dust, for twice the cost of paving.
When paved, with very little attention
streets can be kept almost as clean as the
sidewalks they are SO nice and smooth
that people will take pride in keeping
them tidy. Aside from the comfort of
being rid of mud and dust on the streets,
the saving Of goods in stores and dwell
ings is no small item. Paving would last
here a generation, and would almost pay
for itself in this way alone. No crossings
would have to be maintained which are
either ankle deep in mud or covered with
an inch or more of dust.
The cost of paving here would be about
$3.50 per lot, taking the latest contracts
made at Bellaire as possibly a lit
tie more, because OF difference in freight
charges. Contracts are made with the
municipal government. Bonds are issued
and principal and interest assessed in five
annual installmentS upon the lots abut-
ting upon the improvement, and collected
semi-annually by the County Treasurer.
Thus, an individual owning a full lot
would pay semi-annually about S15 and
his share of the interest S39 the first year,
1920 the second, 1854 the third, S33.6O
the fourth, and S31SO the fifth-presum-
ing contracts could be let at Soc, and cal
of each of these sums would be paid at
the December collection, and the other
half at the june collection. The assess
ment is made upon each front foot The
above figures approximate the annual as
SeSsmentS, only, and are stated that pub
lie attention may be thus directed to the
practicability of such an improvement.
FreightS here would cost a little more
than at Bellaire, but that item would not
add very greatly to the cost. SuppOsing
the expense should be 81 per yard, instead
of Soc, the semi-annual assessment upon
lots would be only $3.50 and the interest,
which yearly diminishes.
That people here would feel, after such
an improvement is made, exactly as Mr.
Roemer expressed himself we have no
doubt, and that if one square is paved all
will want it is quite certain. a start is
all that is required.
In the building of turnpikes and rail
roads st. Clairsville people have invested
considerable money within the last twen-
ty years much more than any like num-
Der of people in the county. True, to
great extent they were defensive meas
ures, yet, expensive as they were, they
were good investments, irrespective of
that fact.
With good streets and good hotels, this
might be made very attractive town.
Our surroundings are superior to those of
any town in this part of the county,
Nature has done very much for us. 1t
does not follow that we are to do nothing
for ourselves. "What does it profit a
man to gain the whole world, and lose his
soul? was asked two thousand years ago. |
With equal force it may be asked now
what does it profit man to pile up more
money than he needs, while he denies him
self the comforts and joys that he ought |
to have?
Let us improve the streets
Build new and modern hotel
See if some kind of manufacturing can |
not be carried on here-and, generally,
Arouse a spirit of pride in the town and
its surroundings, and of enterprise in the
people.
St ClairSville can be made a much bet |
ter town than it is-but its people must |
lead in the matter, and must depend upon |
Men will not come here from |
abroad to build up and improve our town
for us; but if we start Improvements and |
push them along, men will be attracted |
here who viii help in the good work. On
another occasion we remarked that it was
not the fact of location that made Splen-
did cities of Chicago and Kansas City.
but the enterprising men who were there
and who have been attracted there. The
men of Chicago would have made great
city of Wheeling, or prosperous and
growing city of Marietta
This is the golden time for action, if
is to be done for st. Clairsville.
FINE FRUIT.
Mr.. Charles II. Arick is a very success
full cultivator of fine fruits. A drive to