Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-08-09
aliserllanruus 8taaina.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
Electric Lights, Macadamized Streets and
School Furniture.

School Furniture.
Editor of The Yorkville Enquirer:
l desire to present a plan for the
consideration of the citizens of the
town of Yorkville for some improve
ments, together with the lighting of
the streets. The lamps now in use
have about exhausted their usefulness
and something must be done or we 60
in darkness. Shall we buy new lamps
and drag behind, or shall we step up
with the times and adopt the more mod
ern and perfect light-electricity? l
would suggest we vote the issue of
So, 100000 in 6 per cent. interest bonds
for the following purposes: 1st. For
electric lights. I'd. For furnishing
the graded school with school furni-
ture. Sd. To purchase 400 feet more
reel hose. 4th. To pay back outstand-
ing indebtedness and balance Gf any
to defray the expenses of present work
on the streets.
First. 1 am satisfied the electric
plant, such as we require, can be in
stalled for $4,000. This plant figures
on 25 arc lamps on streets running
out on streets that now have water
mains, with lamps about the same
distance apart as the fire hydrants,
with some extensions as follows: Up
Kings Mountain street to Baptist High
school out Congress street to Mr.. A.
Cody's; one lamp each east and west
on Madison, East Liberty, over the
hill, and west to the Jail; College
street east and west; Three C's rail-
road to colored church Cleveland
and Wright avenues; Congress, to a
point beyond the old Chester and Le-
noir depot. All of the points are in
cluded in this estimate. Some of the
extreme points will be lighted probably
by incandescent lamps. The plant
that 1 have estimated on is equal to
25 arc lamps and 500 incandescent.
More arc lamps can be added, how
ever, at any time at the cost of about
500 each. We will probably rent from
200 to 300 incandescent lamps for pri-
vate use, leaving 200 or 800 surplus
for future demands The line will be
80 constructed as not to interfere with
the shade trees. Private lamps are
generally rented at from so cents to 81
per month, according to the number
taken.s
This estimate is based on being con-
nected with water plant steam, and
-ean be operated by one man instructed,
and an inexpensive helper. l would
say that it can be operated for $3.50
year, in addition to present expenses
of operating waterworks, and includes
cost of labor, fuel, carbons, etc., and l
think it safe estimate to say we can
rent $50 worth of lights per month, or
5000 worth year. With what we
spend now for street lights would be
about $3.50. Deduct expenses, $3.50,
leaves balance as S400 earnings, less
interest on bonds, say 5000 on $4,000.
However, these figures are only esti-
mated. Suppose we realize only ope-
rating expense, say $3.50 on lights of
latest up-to-date character, would be
at cost of 6 per cent. interest on
$4,000; s19S less than present cost.
Second. If we furnish the graded
school with desks, etc., modern, / have
no doubt that the owners will make
necessary repairs on buildings from
self.interst. Let the furniture belong
to the town and be movable, and un-
der inspection of the town council for
proper treatment. If the town finds
the necessity later to purchase or build
graded school building, let it make
new issue Of it. Estimated cost S40O.
Third. By purchasing, say 400 or
500 feet more fire hose, together with
that we have, we can reach nearly any
house in town for fire protection. Es-
timated cost $3.50.
Fourth. Retire outstanding indebt-
edness of $3.50 and 5000 due town
clock fund. This amount, $3.50, is be-
ing carried at s per cent, and will have
to be provided for sooner or later, on
bonds Gt can be carried at 6 per cent.
interesD and the 5000 due clock fund,
if in cash, by the aid of some enterpris-
ing ladies that have promised to help
swell this amount, I think we can
count on securing clock this fall. This
should be done in good faith to the
county commissioners. We promised
to put in clock if they would build
tower. The tower has been built.
The general total is $4,000. Inciden-
tails will consume fully 800, printing
bonds, sale of same and unforeseen
expense. However, if anything can
be saved on these estimates, same can
be expended on further repairs on
street work.
Macadamizing is very expensive
work, and should we undertake it, we
will find it the biggest thing we have
undertaken yet, waterworks not ex-
cepted, if done IN its true sense and
scientifically. My idea is to simply
fill in and level up with crushed stone
just as has been done in former years,
only using stone instead of earth as
heretofore. We might keep stock Of
crushed stones on hands to make re-
pairs with on streets as they may be
needed from time to time during the
year.
Now, Mr.. Editor, l present these
ideas for consideration and discussion,