Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-03-25
STANTON SpecIuIsr,
WEDNESDAY, MARCH s5th 1891.
Paving the Streets.

Paving the Streets.
The people of Staunton should congratu-
late themselves on the liberal public spirit
which is guiding the City Council in its
responsibilities. 1t ais not reckless
courage, nor an ineonsiderate course that
body is pursuing for tie public veal. 1t is
juet the reverse, and is based upon the
sound principles of q true economy for the
public interests.
In the oft-repeated efforts we have made
to aid and strengthen our development
organizations in all their work, and especi-
ally as they were intently engaged in seenr-
ing a new era for Staunton in industrial
progress, we have maintained that there
was large share of responsibility for sue
cess devolving upon the City Government
in forwarding all the schemes of public
utility which in their nature were wholly
or jointly under city control-that there
should be a cordial cooperation of effort,
80 to speak; but of course all under the
careful methods of true economy, with the
appropriations not exceeding the income
from the well-adiusted sand satisfactory
rate of taxation, which is less here than in
any other city in the State.
We have, too, in measure advanced a
similar view in discussing the public inter-
eats of Augusta county, especially as the
consideration of improving the roads
entered into the matter. The progress of
the city must prove q highly beneficial and
encouraging realization to the people Of the
county as they are now more than at any
previous time impressed with the absolute
necessity of introducing first-class system
of road-improvement.
With three leading objects in view, con-
Quoted by three strong agencies, and all
uniting in the great purposes Of improving,
we may say the whole situation, as it leads
up to prosperity and substantial wealth,
there can be but one conclusion as to the
result. A growing city providing itself
an outfit as nearly complete as it is practi-
cable or necessary-enterpgise and capital
and energy widening its area and securing
great Industrial development-and the
county, of which it is the pride and center,
moving on the lines to secure first-class
system Of highways in every direction to
its confines, is but partial picture Of the
real state of thirgs which should animate
and incite to redoubled effort every citizen
of Staunton and Augusta county. There
is immense strength even in the thoughts
of the people at thisltime. When reflection
natures the plan Of operations, there will
be practically no resistance to the move
ments in their spheres or any way they
may be handled for the crowning prosperity
of all.
In another column OF the SPECTATOR to-
day will be found the report of the Com
mittee CT the City Council to that body on
the important matter Of paving several of
the business streets. This subject has been
before the Council for some time. The
report of the Committee is very clear ex'
position of The whole question, and places
it before the people on its true merits.
The City Government is keeping pace
with the public-spirit Of the people, and,
through the progress which it is making,
is largely contributing to the successful es-
tablishmcnt here Of the many industrial
enterprises of which the development CON-
pauies are the special promoters. In the
matter of paving tie streets as proposed by
the Committee of the Council, there can be
no movement of progress following what
has already been accomplished in the way
Of water, light, the park, street-railway,
&C., which would make finer impression
upon strangers and capitalists, Or be more
welcome to every citizen who desires to
witness a sound and liberal policy Of public
improvement, properly maintained.
The plan Of improvement, as we'll as the
msthods of supplying the means fer 1t, are
SO thoroughly pro ented in the report as to
render it entirely unnecessary to Go more
in this connection than to commend the
same to the public appreciation, and to as
sure the Council that the people will be in
full accord with the same.
Il will be no great while till the county
will take up the work Of Macadamizing the
leading roads, and it will he most sppro-
pirate that a similar spirit and purpose has
commenced in the city in paving the streets.
These movements will contribute largely
to the efforts of the development companies
in their work. The Stanton Develop
meut Company, under the leadership Of
Mr.. M. Erskine Miller, who assumed the
duties Of the Presidency Of the Company
and discarded anything like failure from
consideration, and ever and always firm in
presenting schemes well plsnued, is
surely realizing on all expectations. The
movement CT the Council in the work Of
paving the streets is a timely and valuable
assistance in bringing hther capital and
population, ard enterprise and energy
The movement in the county for improving
the reads contributes largely on the same
lines. Working in their separate depart
ments in improving tie condition OF the city
and eularging its trade and commerce, and
the improvement Of the county roads, the
three aeencies--the city government; the
Development COMPANIES; and the County
Government, fall into association OF eff
forts winch work wonderfully for tie sue
cess Of The best and most earnestly desired
results. Increasing prosperity and enlarging
wealth are desired aud coming, 90 we all
are assured they will, under the policy the
respective agencies guiding the destinies OF
An Australian ballot reform bill was
passed by the Maine Senate.