The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1892-06-25
Streets and Sidewalks.


The importance of facilities for
both external and internal commun-
ication to national and state wealth
and prosperity arc universally ac-
knowledged. The same principle ap-
plies TO towns and cities. Other things
being equal, the town or city which
is best provided in these respects i'll
outstrip its neignbors who are not,
and the portion of that town which
has the best streets and paycments
with surpass In bushes and social ad-
vantagrs as will all other portions.
This is seen and recognized by all live
business NEIL. and the chief problem
will all real estate men and merchants
as well, is to secure the accessibility
of their property and business. In
Cape Girardcau we have a vivid pic
turc of the truth of the foregoing.
Yet, strange as il may seem, we have
just as striking an example of ignor-
ing the whole principle. In a town
of over five thousand people and OF
magnificent possibilities, besides the
Lcvee there are only three streets
with more than an occasional pave
m mt, and until recently only five of
them had solid road-beds. Those
having thcse. though widely separated.
have almost mouopolized values and
buildings and are the only tolcrably
well-built portions of the town: and
those which have sidewalks have de-
cidedly suistriped all others. II
anyone will watch Broadway when a
crowd surges along it. he will observe
that the bulk of the crowd crosses
and r~c-crosScs the street. IL he will
observe further he will see that this
crossing is 10 avoid patches of rough
paving'to he found too often on the
sidewalk. Doubtless those who Ito
business on the neglected part have
wondered at the reason of their losses
in trade, q wise expenditure of a
small portion of which would have
removed the cause and turned a por-
ton at least of the tide to them.
y marked illustration of the truth
presented is shown in the case of
Themis street and the portion of
Lorimier street west of the court
house. This ncighborhood possesses
every natural element necessary to
make il far the most desirable resi-
dcnce location in the city. 1t is high.
vet level. OF easy access TO every rOr-
ton and especially to the bushes:
portion of the town. Vet ST. secluded
that business can never encroach up
on it. ID II had good sidewalks TO
Main street uo;iim" could hinder il
from soon hcromiH" decidedly the
foremost place for dwellings. Yet
with the exception of 4 few hand
some residences erected by gentlemen
who see lis possibilities it gives little
evidence of lis attractive future. Let
the city order good sidewalks and
the necessary grading and let each
property holder heartily cooperate in
making u good sidewalk immediately
and it needs 10 prophet to predict
that each will lee more than repaid
the c.ts by the asscssable values and
the o rncrs Of property both in sub
>iantial comfort and in the financial
appreciation Of their real estate.
Let the policy be followed through
out the Cape. Let brick o. equira-
lent walks be ordered where the
grade will admit and they are needed.
and plank e1cs elsewhere, dnI it Is
TO sec that the substantial com
fort and business prosperity of the
place will he advanced.
With many thanks for Kind treat
mcnt by your valuable paper i'll the
past, | am truly.
{. I. DANIEL.