Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-04-16
WHAT PROMINENT CITIZENS OF
TOWN SAY.
A Feeling That the Matter Ought to
Be Settled Soon in One Way or An
other Voice Of the People.


take 0 lights for street lighting at
81 each will be considered. In view
Of this number Of representative
citizens were today interviewed on
the question Of lights, They were
asked as the reporter happened to
meet them their opinion as to
whether the city could afford lights
and should contract for street light
ing. In substance they said:
Jay Harding, drayman; Street
lights would be a godsend to the
town. Their absence Is q black eye
for Abilene every day.
r. |. Woods, druggist We should
have lights. The town needs them
very badly.
E. Sutter, jeweler: We can't afford
as business proposition to be with
out them at the price to be paid.
j. I. Prendergast, hardware: I
favor them because Of their cheapness
under this proposition and the
necessity the town feels for proper
lighting
D. +. Keller, baker: Lights are
needed and we should take as many
as are necessary.
A. Edison, The Racket: The city
ought to accept the proposition. viii
be worth much to us to have lights.
G. M. Wellman, merchant: Moth
ing is needed worse, favor lights II
we can get them without going into
debt for them.
gP. R. Pitts, Abilene Mills: ! favor
lights II the city can afford them;
not otherwise. The finances must be
carefully considered first,
0. P. Fenton, feed dealer: 1t is a
matter Of money-if we can afford it,
let's have lights.
G. H. Nellis: do not think we
are suffering so much for lights In
the summer but in the fall we should
have them. The city should take at
least four lights. 1t would be a pay
ing investment in many ways and by
good management we could do it.
A. Jeifcoat, liveryman; OF course
we should have street lights. 1t
seems too bad to see other towns
lighted and Abilene all dark. | was
at Beloit last week and the difference
was very apparent They have a few
lights and it makes the city look pros
porous. Abilene ought to have six or
seven arc lights anyway.
W. d. Nichols, real estate: The
town needs lights more than any one
thing. 1t is disgrace to see our
dark streets nowadays. The hun
dreds who will be here at next sum-
mer's convention will laugh at us II
we have no lights. We can light the
streets and get the revenue to do it If
it is managed right.
W. 0. Carpenter, Central hotel:
The council should grant no more
franchises unless a bond is given for
putting in plant. I'm tired offoolsh-
ness. The city should take 5 or s arc
lights and ! believe the railroads
should be made to light their princi-
pal crossings. That would give six
or seven more and illuminate the
streets very well.
+. M. Whitlaw, grocer; We ought
to have lights. ! don't believe in be-
ing extravagant but ! think the city
would be well paid for moderate in
vestment in street lamps. | don't
know how many we should have but
there should be some-all we can
afford.
A. 5. Davidson, street commission
er. Abilene is losing ground every
day it goes without lights, ! think
we can afford them as a business in
vestment. The present proposition
is the best ever heard OF and the
people will approve the councils
action II it accepts it. Four lamps on
an all night schedule and 10 until mid
night would do nicely. Folks ought
to be abed by l2 O'Clock.
s. Shearer: OF course we should
have lights. II this town can't afford