The daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1889-1890, 1889-11-08

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which is now being used. think it may
do well for sidewalks, and, in fact, it is
evident that those made out of crushed
stone, as those on North Main street and
Bridge street, are far more durable than
the brick, which are wearing out rapidly,
and certainly more comfortable than the
so-called tagging that tries men soles"
in other places. While your stone may
answer for sidewalks, it is most unfit for
your streets, resulting in altcrnations of
mud and dust.
Reportcr-What would you suggest
then, as a remedy for the bad streets,
which VIC all acknowledge and deplore?
Mr.. Alt would depend upon great
many considerations, and am not suffi-
ciently acquainted with your surround
ings to feel competent to advise 1t seems
to me that Belgian blocks should be
used, if they can be obtained at cost
within your reach; or perhaps limestone
might be obtained on better terms The
chief cost i'll either case would be the rail
road treights, and | should think the
Richmond and Danvlle would be dis
posed to make as favorable terms as they
could do, to encourage an Improvement
which would inevitably tend to increase
travel over their lines.
Rcportcr-How do the railroads here
compare with those Of your Northern
home?
Mr. A.-Here again am indebted to
THE CITIZEN. Arriving some time ago in
Charleston, 5. c., | remembered having
seen the schedule of the Northeastern
railroad, and decided to take passage by
it to Columbia. And indeed, have never
Travelled over a swiitcr, smoother or bet
ter managed road. | stopped in Column
bia a few days and thence went to Char
lOttc, \. G., and so reached AShevillc by
way Of the Western North Carolina rail
road. heartily endorse all that THE
CITIZEN has ever said about this line.
Indeed the schedule is most remarkable,
considering the mountainous section it
traverscs; and a sight Of it's tortuous
course, doubling upon its stracks time and
again, and disclosing views of beauty
and variety, was enough to repay all the
expense and fatigue of my journey.
Reporter-Will you permit me to ask
in what line of business you have been
engaged
Mr. A.-Oh, yes have no Objection
to tell you. Not many years ago set
tied in --, which was then a mere
hamlet. In selecting it for home, | was
influenced by its natural attractions,
which, thought, gave promise of great
development, but did not anticipate its
marvellous growthin population, wealth
and prosperity. Soon after | bought
property there, which did to the extent
OF my limited means. Several other men
took the same view as had done, and
made it their home also. We determined
to inauguratc liberal business spirit
throughout our young community, and
our first move was to establish good
newspaper was selected as president
of the company. We chose as good an
editor as was attainable. We gave the
latest and freshest news, in truthful
straightforward manner. We instructed
the editor to comment on current topics
in fair spirit, to be afraid of no rascal,
but never to say VOID that might Of
end an honest man. We each subscribed
could; we all advertised literally; and
thus, and as | believe, chiefly by this
means, the city of-- to-day occu-
pies the same ground that was filled by
the hamlet of - when went there
ReporteI-Pcrhaps you will kindly
make a few suggestions as to the get up
of your paper. | am sure THE CITIZEN
will gladly consider any such, and per
haps may be able to adopt them.
Mr.. A.-Well, then, while you have a
very fair paper, think you can improve
on it, and when you add to its attrac-
tions, you may be assured that you add
to the prosperity of Ashcvillc My first
complaint then is that YOU do not give
fair play to all of your patrons. J'nin
tentionally, no doubt, but surely you
discriminate against your advertisers,
and in favor of your readers. You should
allow those merchants who would write
the most attractive ads to place them on
your front page, and your news matter
should be divided between all four pages.
Unless you are well posted in journalism,
you can hardly know to what high de
gree of art the science of advertising is
brought All merchants who deserve
the name realize its absolute Importance
in the successful management of their
business. You have real merchants here
such, for instance, as the Racket Store.
| have watched his business, and he evi-
IDENTIFY knows what he is about. Nor is
he alone; l have struggled into Whit
locks and Blanton's, and at each found
well selected stock of clothing, at
which | expressed no surprise, because
they had each invited me to call, showing
that they were not afraid to have their
goods inspected. And thus have looked
around your town quite generally and
find that each and all of your advertis-
ers have on their shelves more than they
profess to have in your paper; but |
must say that the fault is yours that
they do not make their professions come