The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1891-01-02
An Earnest Appeal.

The matter of sewerage should at once
engage the attention of the city council
By the grading Of streets, together with
the natural dcpressious in parts of the city,
there will be number of ponds formed
which, having no outlet, will remain stag
nnnt pools and the nurseries of poisonous
germs during the coming summer and fall.
Sanitary regulations are the most I'M
portant measures for the consideration
of a new city. Other towns have been
set back for years by ncglccting them
Pocahontas would probably be twice as
large as at present but for the failure of
her people to demand Of the municipal
government the adoption of precautionary
measures against disease The same may be
said of Birmingham, and the same will be
said Of Big Stone Gap if another summer
finds the city in no better sanitary condi-
ton than ii is now. 1t is idle to talk
OF the purity of our atmosphere after it
has become pregnant with deadly poisons
generated in marsly holes and filthy gut
| ters With 4 temperature Of scventy-fre
degrees for thirty days and stagnant water
| and mudboles, disease and death will as
inevitably follow as the night the day. 1t
matters not what the elevation may he or
the normal purity Of the atmosphere, these
conditions we are sure to have unless
prompt steps are taken 10 prevent them.
They existed to IL degree last summer
and many dangerous maladies resulted.
They will exist TO H. greater extent next
summer if our city council is not aroused
to action An epidemic will put any city
back from five TO ter years, to say nothing
of the immediate loss to business and the
depreciation Of property; and We cannot
afford to be put back an hour. Rival cities
are springing up in every direction and
Big Stone Gap would suffer an incalcula
bic injury if calamity of the kind should
result from our idiotic Indifference TO the
danger.
The city is SO admirably situated that
| By small outlay it can be thoroughly
drained. And this drainage must be done
during cold weather. TO wait until the
summer or even spring months to dig
bitches and construct sewers, after the
germs of disease !havc been absorbed by
the human system and when digging up
the earth would do more harm than good,
would be the worst form of folly. The
work could be done now even cheaper;
aud, rs much delay will be occasOned
bv discussion Of the best means, active
steps should be taken at once.
1t will be remembered that months were
occupied in discussing the side walk ques-
ton and it can not be said that we yet
have sidewalks.
This matter is far more important than
sidewalks. Those who have interests
here should therefore use every effort to
secure the adoption Of some plan and i'm
lnediatciy put it in operation. 1t is need
less to multiply words about tho matter,
since IL moments reflection will bring any
iatelligent person TO the conclusion that
prompt action must be taken. 1t is more
important than manufacturing plants,
railroad construction or any other sub
ject that our people can consider.
These suggestions may be received with
mere wordy and worthless approval, but
we warn the council and the community
that something more is required. 1t is
to be hoped some one who has the good
of the city at heart and who appreciates
the serious danger that threatens it, will
inaugurutc the movement and push it
through. Success would render such Il
person benefactor and q blessing.
There is no reason why Big Stone Gap
should not become the Saratoga as well rs
the chief manufacturing city ofthe South.
With the outlay of a few thousand dollars
it can be made as healthy rs Ashoyille, and
its surrounding heights would command
US high prices for hotels and country
seats. 1t has the same temperature as
Asheyille; its water will be quite as good,
it's scenery even more beautiful and its air
as pure. Besides it can be moro easily
reached from the north and west and the
greater part of the south. It Is nearer