Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-25
THE PAVEMENT QUESTION.

as we are that the reward of the property
owners on that thoroughfare will be sure
and immediate, and while the EAGLE ex-
pressed the hope that asphalt would be the
material chosen by them, we, nevertheless,
hope to see all the standard pavements
employed in out city, on one street and
another. IL no other way will everybody
be satisfied that there has been no jobs.
Every man can stand by specimen of his
own choice sud defend it. But in speak
ing Of granite block, the most lasting and
substantial probably Of all pavements, we
said it was being taken up in some sec
lions of some cities. In st. Louis the judge
of the court has requested that it be taken
up around the court house square and
asphalt or wood substituted. A move is
on foot in New York city to take up the
granite on Wall; Nassau and Pearl streets
and on Broadway about the intersection OF
the above streets, where the traffic and
consequent noise is desfening, and the
property holders and business men have
asked for asphalt. The Mail and Express
says:
1t seems as though the noisy rackinG block. pave
ment of New York Is doomed sooner or later to give
way to the noiseless and easy going asphalt This
mas aTeaoy oesn t 4or snoT Wo sre
between Nassau and Pearl. is to be blessed in this
At the last meeting Of the board Of aldermen
the following petition was submitted by the pres
ident:
To the Hon. J. a. " Arnold, president of the board
SIR-whereas We, the undersigned freeholders.
9 and OCCUPANTS is OF 4a MAI Man
noiseless and ciean pavement, must II posslblebe
Whereas, We feel that It would add rot only to
the comfort but also TO the business interests
Therefore remonstrate against the repavtng
Wall street. from Nassau street to Pearl street with
granite block pavement, as adopted April 10 and ap-
We respectfully petition that asphalt pavement be
laid upon the portion OF Wall street above named,
and that the accompanying ordinance therefor be
passed
city treasury by " all street men enables them to
favorable consideration In this important street i'm
provement
The Sun, under the head of "Quiet in
Wall Street." says:
After years of rattle and filth and wrenchings the
barbarous pavement OF rough stone blocks Is 10 be
taken up and civilized floor OF asphalt is To be
1t is only short stretch that is to be thus re
deemed but little civ lization is better than none
And civilization is such catching thing that we
hope to its influence spread presently much FUR
Their than the strip OF road TO which Its blessings are
The hideous. filthy, racking block pavements
must CO. We have been ignobly patient in toler-
ating our barbarous streets so long.
The Sun of later date, June Is. in long
editorial going over the entire pavement
question and quoting such authorities as
Prof. Newburg, says that London, having
tried everything for hundreds of years, is
favorable to asphalt, next to the Sicillian
mastic, which costs a per yard. Profess
sor Newburg; who has as an expert been
examining the pavements Of all cities,
says also that in Paris and in Berlin the
asphalt Is the popular pavement, being
clean, wholesome, silent, easy for horses
and easy for vehicles and their occupants.
Prof n concludes his reports of foreign
cities as follows:
The best of all pavements, as has been shown by
experience in and foreign cities, is made OF
asphalt. When asphalt pavements first came into
use in this country they wsre largely made with
coal tar and proved defective in many ways after
ward tho methods and materials used in the Old
World We're imported and gave excellent results.
The result of the experience OF the last ten
with the Trinidad asphalt Is equal TO any in the
world and superior to any other kind of pavement
in use; Its excellencies, cleanliness silence and
salubrity are apparent that no argument is now
needed to enforce them, and to these may be added
and placed first the list. economy; for it costs
little and lasts long any other good pavement,
and is much less trying TO horses vehicles and
human nerves 1t is rapidly growing IN favor; ana
II not TOO m1c9 10 say n Is uns
supersede all other kinds"
However, there is one point that should
not be lost sight Of, and that is, If 1t is
found that Wichita can secure fair pave
ment from brick or other material made
at home, that there is an immense ad
vantage in keeping the money at home,
and of this we will have something to Of
fer soon.