The news & observer., 1897-12-03
Plans to be Submitted to the
Board of Aldermen.
SIDEWALKS TO BE PAVED
THE PRINCIPAL STREETS TO BE
MACADAMIZED.
NO MORE BRICK SIDEWALKS ALLOWED
The Water Company viii Have to Put in Lar
ger Mains For Extensions, at Least
4-lnch Pipe REQUIRED.

4-lnch Pipe Required.
In view of the recent issue of bonds by
the city for street improvements, the
street committees report which we print
below, and which will be submitted TO
the board tonight will be read
with a great deal of interest by our peo-
pie as it outlines the plans of the COM
rittee and gives much general informd-
tiOn of what is being done in the way OF
street improvements. Our street COM
mittee should receive the hearty support
Of our people in these plans for improve
ments. Raleigh is to be congratulated
upon having such patriotic spirit at the
head of this committee, one who is Civ
ing such intelligent and deep interest in
the work, and all without recompense,
save that laudable desire to see his city
among the foremost in point of beauty
and public enterprise.
The following is the report:
TO the Honorable Mayor and Board of
Aldermen:
Your committee on streets beg to sub
NIT herewith the following report:
The Raleigh City per cent bonds.
TOR permanent street improvements,
have been sold and the purchase price
paid. The amount realized from the sale
Of these bonds was $54,941.2S.
This was the best sale of any Southern
security of the same nature since the
war, and demonstrates beyond question
the high grade of credit which our ciy
enjoys in the money markets of the
world.
We take this first opportunity TO thank
the people of Raleigh for the very sub
stantial manifestation of their conf
dence in this Board by voting almost
unanimously for the bond issue. We feel
that our city is to be congratulated in
displaying this undoubted evidence of
thrift and public spirit, and we regard
this as the beginning of new era of
prosperity, we look upon it as the first
step in securing good streets and side
walks, which will add more to the ma
terial growth and advancement OF the
eity's interests along lines of general
good and convenience than anything else
which can be done.
We believe that this Board will prove
itself worthy of the confidence which
the people has so generously imposed in
them, and Will earnestly endeavor to see
that the money is spent wisely, prudent
ly and well.
The Street committee has tried to re-
port fully each month all Of its opera
tions and plans laid out for future ac-
ton in the government of its depart
nent
We have kept an itemized account Of
all work done on the streets, and we
have reported it at the end of the year
In a detailed statement to the Board,
setting out the exact amount spent and
the work accomplished by the depart
ment.
We have kept this Board as fully post
ed concerning the work done on the
streets as it was possible for us to do,
and in addition to this we have had
these reports published from month 10
month through the kindness of our CRY
papers in order that the people them
selves might see just what was being
done on the streets and know the way
and manner in which the money was
being spent, and what results were being
obtained. We have had no secrets in our
department, and we have had nothing TO
conceal, but we have been anxious for
every one to know what was being done
and there We have laid bare all of the
facts and operations each month with a
view of inviting criticism upon our
methods.
Our sole object has been to produce the
very best results for the general good
of the city, consistent with the demands
upon us and the city's finances.
We now take this first opportunity to
lay before the Board our plans for spenI-
tng the money which is at our disposal
ON account of the bond issue. We do
not want to take single step without
the full consent and approval of this
Board.
In maturing our plan the primary OBJ
tect which we had in view was to adopt
some plan which would give the great
est benefit TO the greatest number Of
people, and create in the mind Of all
of our people healthy sentiment in
favor of bonds, thereby demonstrating
the wisdom of the bond issue itself.
We believe that the plan which we
present will give all of our people a
practical demonstration of the benefits
accruing from this money, and that ev-
cry citizen will reap proportionate share
Of its advantages.
Our first desire is to develop the quar-
~ and then as fast as possible to grade
and curb the sidewalks of the city. By
this plan we can improve nearly every
street in Raleigh so that the people in
every section of the city will share in
the benefits arising from the expenditure
of this money.
In the mean time our rock crushcr
will be moved to the quarry, and while
we are getting out curbing, belgian
blocks, and building stone large guam
tity of trimmings and other refuse stone
will at the same time accumulate. We
will crush this stone and as it accumu-
lates we will haul it on those streets
which have been graded and with our
steam roller in operation, the work Of
curbing, grading and matchmaking can
all be pushed together, and by dove-tail-
ing the work in this way we will save
expense along all lines. We have al-
ready purchased the machinery from the
Greystone quarry at a cost Of S1.1o5
and it is now being put in position to-
develop the quarry near the city limits.
This machinery was purchased at n
great bargain, as it originally cost over
1000.
In addition to this machinery we have
been compelled to purchase boiler,