The weekly Republican., 1892-05-19
WE NEED IMPROVEMENTS.

The people who come to PhoenlN express themselves as much surprised at our thrift and advancement, and so far we make good impression on the strangers that come within our gates. But all that is necessary has not yet been done, and at very little cost i'm provements can be made that will im- prove the appearance of the city very much. Not only it's appearance will be beautiiied but much will be added to the convenience and comfort of our home people and visitors. We have no walks-as a matter of fact we do not need any now-but the time has been and will be again, that we need them.
 Last winter and spring during the rainy season there was not decent crossing in the city, and the only walks that would to any extent protect one against the mud were up and down Washington street. No one could come to his business from any of the resi- dence portions of the city without mir ing down, and for weeks it was impos- sible for lady to go out on foot. Peo. pie from g distance remarked about this, and said that while Phoenix peo- pie had remarkable enterprise in some respects they had very little iE the matter ol improving the streets. This improvement of walks and cross- ings will cost more than all the other necessary Improvements, but at the same time no city ever lost a cent by by investing in such way, and THE REPUBLICAN hopes that this will be provided for before the rains begin again.
 Another thing that we need right now and should be attended to at once is the extension of the street sprinkling. This is now confined to a small portion of Washington and Center streets and the ground covered is altogether inad- eduate for the comfort of the people. The streets up and down Washing ton for four blocks from the city hall, and two blocks on either side should be sprinkled every day. If this was done regularly we would not experience the
 
 fall and winter. Then the sprikling was not begun till the dust was three or four inches deep, and 1t was almost Im- possible to get water enough on it to make the streets firm and hard as they would have been had the work been done sooner, and in the latter case it would take less water to do the entire season than the amount necessary to put the neglected streets in good or even medium condition. 1t might be we'll to look into the relative costs and conveniences of this matter and adopt the best and cheapest plan for comfort. Ph9nix has two beautiful plazas and 1t would enhance their appearance very much if seats were put around their borders and along the walks, so that il one so wished he could go and spend pleasant hour. Most people work during the day and they do not feel like standing during the rest of the evening, Phoenix is excellent as health resort and is being advertised AS such. When people come here they ex- pect some conveniencies with which they can entertain themselves at least. anu they have right to. This would make the parks much more attractive and at the same time Phoenix would not be doing anything more than all other cities of even less population do. It woull only cost reasonable amount to get one of the Phoenix bands to play on the plaza three nights ou. os the week, and it would, during the warm months be a pleasant place to spend the evening. This amount could easily be made up by private subscription for PhTnix cit- l zens, as a rule, wish to see the city prosper. They only want the matter started and put before them in proper light, when we venture to say that the l public spirit of our people will show it. salt superior Co that of any city in the | territory.
 Economy is good thing in it's place but it can be carried to an extent that i is more injurious than extravaganza. | The question in the recent c;tv election 1 was PrOsress,' ani as the mayor and | conncllmcn expressed themselves as progressive men, dou btless, such of these things as lie in their jurisdiction will bf attended 10 as soon as they get organized for work.