The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-04-23
For the Reneflt of the Town.

IfcleanIiness is one OF the requisites to-
health Of town or community. then. it
must be confessed that Somerset is in bad
shape in that respect. at least, for the town
IS about as dirty and filthy as it well can be.
For this state of affairs the citizens them
selves are largely TO blame Many, perhaps
most of them, seem to think that the proper
place for them to deposit the rubbish, waste
and refuse of any sort that accumulates
about their places, is on the street There is
no place like the street for efnptying the ash
pan Do they clean up the yard or trim the
trees-into the street generally goes the rub
bish. Does the family dog or cat happen to
pick up a button in his travels that gives
him fatal spell of indigestion. into the
street or gutter as often as anywhere else,
goes his carcass-and so does much other ref
use matter that ought to be disposed of 9th
erwise, OF course all citizens do not dispose
oftheir waste in this manner, but many from
whom better things might be expected do,
and they do it without any regard for the
ordinances or how much of a nuisance it
may be to their neighbors, or TO the general
plblic.
Another trouble is the defective system OF
drs,inage-the only system being that of sur
iac. drainage. Under some circumstances
and conditions this is well enough, and will
answer. But the town has grown too large
for any system of surface drainage to meet
a. I
long as surface drainage alone is depended
on, just 50 long will the cutters and streets
be in a more or less filthy condition, to the
detriment OF the public health, and the in
jury OF the town otherwise. 1t is admitted
that there is more or less waste in every
household that must be got rid of in some
way, and as things now are the only way is
through the CUTTERS and water tables. An
inspection Of these will everywhere show
drains emptying into them from cellars, as
well as from kitchens. etc, and from these
last comes matter that speedily becomes
very offensive. Much of it may justly be
suspected of fsuch a character thai it should
find its way into the privies and water clos
cts, instea of the cutters. 1t is utterly i'm
possible 10 keep the cutters and water tables
in such condition that all these things will
readily run off. There must necessarily
some Of 1t remain to make them foul, and
bad-smelling.
Il is even strongly asserted that in one Of
the largest business houses on Main Cross
street there is privy, having connection
with the cellar drainage. and which latter
also receives part Of the rain water from the
spouting from the roof which washes all
this 9th into the gutter on Main street,
at the intersection ofConrt alley with Main 81.
II this is true is il any wonder that there
was sickness in the east end of town last
summer? Aud if such a nuisance as this
does exist in the heart of the town, some
way of abating il should be found. There
are some pirts of the town in which the
present surface drainage may answer for
time, but in many parts a good under
ground sewerage system is impertively de-
manded. In no other way can the town be
kept clean and healthy. OF course, an i'm
proyement of this sort will cost money, and
good bit OF it, aud we are well aware OF the
fact that if such thing is once seriously
proposed, that howl will be raised over the
great expense But it is bound to come-it
is only question Of time, and why not es-
tablish such system now, and reap the ben
etit of it at once. We have said that it was
not needed for all parts of the town at the
present time. Well. such parts need not
pay anything. Only those need pay who
get the benefit of such an improvement.
Perhaps some people may want To know
what steps should be taken 10 have proper
sewers bnilt. Some people may be interested
In the matter, At least they ought to be,
and we will give them information on the
subject.
The Legislature al the session of 80 passed
a law authorizing the town councils to have
them put down whenever three-fonrths Of
the properly holders along a street would
sign petition asking them TO do so, and
gives them authority 10 assess the cost of
the same on all the owners OF property
abutting on the street or line of the sewer,
and compelling them to pay it. For in
stance let the people on the east end Of
Main street who are flooded with all of the
waste and much Of the filth of the central
mart Of the town. start such petition, and
get all the signers they can, and come up
towards the Diamond with II. and if they
secure the required three-fourths it can be
bnili. and all property holders can be COM
PEELED to connect their drains. whether cell
lar or kitchen, with the main sewer, and
,hus have outlet for all their liquid waste,
and getting rid of 1t without max ing it
nuisance TO their neighbors. With a good
system of sewerage we would certainly place
The town in a better sanitary condition, and
that alone IS worth the cost, and the town
would be the gamer otherwise.
Somerset has always been favorite resort
for many city folks during the summer
months, but of late years the town has been
in such condition that il is losing good
deal OF its reputation as resort.
There are other things which might be
mentioned in which improvement might be
made. and the town be all the cleaner,
healthier. and more attractive TO those who
come here from abroad. and we hope that
our people viii not neglect to brighten snd
tidy up their places all around. \.