New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-02
NEWS FROM NEW JERSEY.
TO PAVE CAMDEN'S STREETS.
REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF THE CITY CoUN
Gil MEET WITH OPPOSITION FROM
REFORMERs IN THEIR EFFORTS
TO IMPROVE THE CITY,


Gil MEET WITH OPPOSITION FROM
REFoRMERs IN THEIR EFFORTS
TO IMPROVE THE CITY.
| Camden. Aug. ! (speciaD.--It IL something OF an
| anomaly that the Reform members OF the Camden
City Council stand obstacles to one OF tho great
est reforms Of which the municipality Is In need
streets Fortunately for the lovers OF
good roads. the Reformers are In the minority IN
the City Council and the project Of better paving
is likely to go through despite their opposition
That Camden needs better streets Is a fact potent
to any one who attempts to drive vehicle or ride
a bicycle tho present unsightiy ana oohe-
rafting pavements All told. there are Just twenty
blocks less than two miles. Of thoroughfnre on
which riding can IN any wise he enjoyed FOR mo
balance OF the thoroughfares the way OF 'he just
and the unjust Is exceedingly hard Inc manu-
soonest residence avenue In the city-Cooper-st-i'
which stand the homes Of the best Citizens was
paved about fifteen years ago with asphalt pocNs'
q material just then beginning to attract the at
tentiop Of municipalities. II thing OF beauty
but the 10y die last forever, because the COLI
tractor who laid the pavement !eit out lHe oHo
thing essential for asphalt paving-the concrete
foundation. In few years unsightiy hoes ocs"''
TO appear. They waxed deeper and more huhiei,
ous and In q short time the Handsomely paVed
thoroughfare was bound in shadows and In misc
RES" To-day II is worst than II TO paving al all
had ever been laid along its length inc NOES are
denominations TO Cyclers. and the drivers Oh Gar
riages shun the street az they would tracA'ess
woods in the dark. In wet weather the tio'oue"
fare becomes dotted with uns'gh'y Puu"e'' IVY
and ill-favored.
Penn-st another pretty residence sectloh' was
also paved with asphalt blocks, but with better
foundation, and for long time was Inc 10 100"
upon and well pleasing in the sieht OF inc i"-
habitants But the trolley company sought H. go'
1t and ruined It, Thus II was with all the citys
u-hi WI
were either allowed to 60 to ruin for acH OF at
tention or were gobbled by the trolley company
and made useless for any other purpose inc Cd
solete cobblestone. which the Ruler OF Des''is
never intended should be used for street pavHs III
a civilized community, remains hard ana last j"
mile after mile OF Camden's busiest thoroushiaicS
and the city has expended thousands OF oo''"iS Vi
the taxpayers' money in taking them up. placing
a little more sand beneath them and laying 'heih
down again. So noticeable mas this cohui'oh y.
affairs become that bicycle riders from All paris VI
the country have reached the conclusion that Oa"-
den Is the worst-paved city IN the uh''eu o'"e'
One noted writer has warned wheelnen 10 aVoid
th o,,v ~ thew hold any regard for their internal
economy.
With this condition staring them IN the race prom
lnent citizens, business men, professional men anu
vorkIngmen formed the Good Roads League Ihis
organization IS not body OF cyclists with one sek
motive In view and that the Accomplishment OF
smooth streets for their wheels. but In 1t are men
who do not ride but who recognize the value, from
a purely business standpoint OF better streetpaVihe
They have worked unselfishly, zealously ana Win
out friction TO bring about their desired ends anu
were counting upon the Endorsement and assistance
OF the Committee Of One Hundred. which has made
manifestations of reform In and out of season and
came SO near securing control OF the city govern
ment last spring The advocates OF Setter streets
hoped that when the annual appropriations were
made cary In the present month they couid secure
to1ln Ia art
at least, this year But the Republicans who nave
a majority of one in the City COUNCIL were iediiui
of the consequences OF Increasing the tax rae ana
were forced TO disappolnt the eOou sodHS peopie,
even In far inserting an item of YOU'D for the
beginning of improvements:
light was discovered. 1t was found that special
o or i tn issue bonds 70 the Of 10
prove ill-paved streets. City Counsel Morgan gave
ss, os Wa n h oa Rs Of It's cy TO to
the much desired result. Amid much rejoicing the
vassed the Republican members Of the City Council.
and found them ready and willing 10 stand for the
bond issue When they approached the committee
of One Hundred members, however. they encount-
cred serious opposition. and for no known reason
except that the money TO be spent by their
hated enemies They declined only to assist the
II. and they have stuck valianty TO that decldra-
City Counsel Morgan drew an ordinance providing
for the issue Of 100000 weniy.year bonds st per
cent. That meant an expenditure Of only $4,000
retire the bonds at maturity. 1t meant. however.
more than 100000 worth OF we-payed streets, with
all that that implies municipality for under Its
agreement with the city. the Camden and Suburban
Railway Company. which has monopoly of the
trolley franchises. occupying every principal thor
oughfare in the town, must pay a third OF the cost
OF laying improved paving In street occupied by
its tracks. Before this ordinance was introduced.
however. the Republican members of the Council
held conference. and decided first ascertain the
cost OF paving five OF the principal avenues This
1t appears. is a provision of the law. There were
some who favored the use of Belgian blocks in those
streets must used for business. and sheet asphalt
for those devoted more exclusively 10 pieasurerd-
ing and driving. In order therefore. to get definite
information the subject. the conference decided
advertise for bids for both sorts OF paving When
the bond ordinance was introduced the Reform
members opposed It's passage under suspension OF
the rules and 1t had 10 lie for lack OF
thirds vote The resolution TO ask for bids for the
two sorts Of paving came up at last nights meeting
Of the City Council and the Reform members were
arrayed solidy against II. One two of them do
clared that they in favor OF improved streets
but they doubted the authority OF the city Issue
any more bonds under its charter. On q motion OF
Mr.. B0dine a Republican member. the City Counsel
was Instructed to deliver his written opinion on the
subject The resolution adopted by strict
party vote. ;he Republicans having majority OF one
over their Reform opponents
Now IL s stated that II the Republicans insist
issuing the bonds. the Reformers Will block the en-
terprse by a writ OF certiorarl The thousands OF
wheelmen and owners OF vehicles watching the
with Eeenest