Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-04-03

special assess meAt, special taxation, or IN
part by either mode. But il is certainly
wise and judicious that your determine
ton OF the mode To any case should be
essentially governed by thoughtful con-
sideration for the present and future well
fare of the city, q full understanding of
the necessities and requirements of the
public thoroughfares, and in cases of
special assessment or special taxation by
due regard for the rights and wishes of
those who are TO be specially assessed or
taxed therefor. 1t requires intelligent
and sound discretion to decide whether
at present any paving of streets should lie
undertaken, and If ordered, whether to
be Of granite, brick or wood; or whether
the Telford system of macadam may not
be less expensive, sufficiently serviceable,
and on many accounts preferable for
general use. II any paving at all should
be determined upon. my personal infor-
nation and judgment incline me to the
belief, that, all things considered, pave>
ment of cypress blocks resting upon a
solidly prepared and enduring substratum
would be the best that could be adopted
for the heavily travelled thoroughfsres of
the city. and for all other streets needing
solid. compact surface, that the Telford
or some equivalent system of macadam
would be sufficiently lasting, economical
consideration duration, and would an
swer all purposes of ordinary travel aud
traffic for many years when properly con-
structed.
IN regard to the proposed improve
msnt OF Second avenue, there is no gen.
orally recognized imperious necessity for
the use Of granite. BY far the greater
amount Of heavy traffic comes into the
city over the Milan roadway and Ninth
street. and Is distributed in various direc.
tons at or before 1t reaches Third sve>
nue.; or, comes from the east over Fifth
avenue and Is rapidly distributed at and
westward Of Twenty fourth street. Or
dinarily the occasion for resorting to
pavements is because the traffic upon the
street rapidly renders it TO a condition of
bad repair. and the frequency of this
condition and the constant expense for
repairs demand more durable construc-
ton and greater solidity of surface. These
conditions might perhaps apply to Fifth
avenue east of Twentieth street or to
Milan roadway south Of Third avenue.
but are scarcely applicable. as yet. to the
ordinary condition of Second avenue
Concede that 1t might facilitate the trans
acting OF business, and that to some ex-
tent property holders on Second avenue
have expressed desire for some kind or
pavement and have signif1ed willing.
ness TO bear the burden of special tax.
alton to get IL, Its advocates apparently
appear to rely more upon prospective
Increase In the values of abutting prop-
erty and incidental facilities Tor larger
local trade to compensate their outlay
than upon any pressing necessities of
general and public nature. The citizens
OF the city in general have no special in
terest In paving Second avenue more than
in paving any other street, except that
the proposed limit constitutes the most
solidly built portion of the heaviest busi>
ness street in the city. and the property
thus closely conferred pays corresponds
ing amount of municipal taxes II it
has become necessary to commence paw
ing the city, 1t Is not unreasonable to
presume that public sentiment would re-
gard this locality as the proper initial
place to make the commencement.
The most weighty objection to gran>
tie, where 1t Is not an absolute necessity,
Is its great cost compared with other ma
terial equally servicable for all ordinary
travel and traffic. While the abutting
property holders under special taxation
bear the greater burden. the taxpayers at
large contribute no inconsiderable share.
The comparison Is one of simple msthe-
NAUTICAL calculation and easily made.
Having the distance and width of street
given the number of square yards is
readily ascertaiued. The number of
square yards multiplied by the cost per
yard gives the sum total. The cost per
square yard in this city may be estimated
upon general inform ation--fOr brick in
place at 81 80 to 81 40; for cypress at
81 10 to S1.50; and granite vsriously at
IS. 90, So. so to 81 90 or "a so. Curb
ing Is the same in either case and may be
estimated at 90 to 70 cents per lineal
foot. The plumbing required by ordi-
nance would be . connection with the
water main at every twenty feet and is
calculated at $50 90 each attachment or
about $4,000 per block. The city's
part consists of the number Of square
yards contained in the street intersec-
tions. its proportion adjoining Spencer
and Market squares, and probably the
proportion adjacent to church property.
Taking the very lowest estimate per
square yard ventured to be named for
granite, and the amount which the city
would have to pay, absolutely and with
out repayment from any source, would
be approximately $12, 900 or $4,000.
The city will also have to advance at the
beginning, In most cases, the cost of fur
nishing the curbing. doing the plumbing,
and constructing the brick sidewalks now
ordered within the fire limits, making the
amount which the city would have to
pay absolutely and that which it would
have to advance and await repayment
from special taxation and collection. in
all. the sum of $50. 600 to S25, 900. This
would be an expenditure within limit Of
six or seven blocks, on one street alone,
of q considerable larger sum than was
ever appropriated In this city in any one
year for street and alley purposes, and
would not leave dollar to be expended
during the coming year upon single
one of the city's other fifty miles, less or
more, of streets and alleys. The city
would necessarily have to do this much
on Its part, even II property holders were
generally consentipg and special taxa
ton was chesrfully met and paid. 1t is
respectfully submitted that the city
ought not to be placed in this situation,
either purposely or by indirection; and
1t is further submitted. that If paving is
desirable and to be determined upon.
then brick or wood are the only material
which the city, financially, can safely
undertake to use.
In common with very large and re-
spectacle number of fellow citizens, the
mayors sympathies and approval have
hean acfixeIu enlisted in hehalf of nllh-