The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-09-16
ROANOKE, VA, SEPTEMBER ls, 1899.
HINTS FROM rHE pEopLE.

There is NO test for worth 80 reliable
as the crucible Of experience in which
4 TO try men, whether in public or private
affairs. Our Council came into office
In July, yet there is little work SO far
accomplished Of exalted merit. 1t is
4 not because there is nothing left to be
done surely, for that to be done seems
plentiful while that done is scarce
indeed. THE TIMES docs not say these
things in carping vein nor in a spirit
OF censure, but that the Councilmen
may be reminded Of what expectations
Z have been raised, and how hard work
It'll is to fulfill them at best. Now,
we have right to expect that with so
strong an organization of municipal au.
thorities as has been established under
the new charter, the work of municipal
improvement and general public affairs
will run on like Tennyson's brook, "for-
ever and forever" in merry and system
attic flow.
With board of public works, an ex-
pensiye engineers office, Council and
q mayor, it does seem that we should be
! able to have the most systematic city in
the republic. On the contrary the
streets are impossible in many direc.
tions and a stranger with vehicle is
almost compelled to employ guide to
B get him into town. If this work had
been let and an agreement drawn
binding the contractors not to OBJ struct
any street for more than three DAYS at
! time, which we believe is the limit of
4 time that the city has the right to
obstruct public thoroughfare, they
would be in better condition and more
passable than to-day.
There is poor house farm belonging
4 TO the city and the only attention given
ito the matter until lately seems to
have been to consider it poor farm
with house on 1t for the superintend-
ent. Nobody said anything about it
and nobody did anything about it.
There is about S34,0 900 worth of school
( property here and about $4,000 to
$4,000 is disbursed annually for educa-
sstion, yet nobody is especially charged
with this matter to know whether the
money is wasted or whether the people
receive guild pro quo. We understand
that the school board is alive and alert
and have urged some reform in this
matter for another year, but we have
heard OF no action from the Council in
\ that direction. This is considered one
ct the most important branches of gov.
$ernment in all we'll regulated cities.
4 There is no reason why Roanoke should
& be an exception to this rule, yet the city
pays lavish salaries in all directions,
but this.
e The excellent system of street rail
way is thing to be proud of, but it
needs some little restrictions as to
speed through the city. A man for
rapid riding or driving would be fined,
Sbut car runs through the streets at a
much greater speed unchallenged.
There is nothing vicious or wrong about
this, but 1t is little inconsistent and
might be easily regulated. Then there
are several streets broken up and left
ESQ Salem avenue, for instance. Pro-
badly the mayor and board OF public
works may not have noticed this.
Again we desire to say that we are not
speaking in q complaining manner. but
only drawing attention to things which
need it, We believe Council is going to
mako q good record, but it takes timeto
act started, and public matters should
ba done deliberately. We shall be glad