The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1897-05-28

and the amount OF capital invested
reaches far up in thu millions.
OUR STREETS.
Years ago New Orleans had a repu-
tation OF bad streets that caused il
u be regarded as -. Midwife of the
America continent. Now an en-
tirely different condition of things
prevails. The subject of well paved
streets mas attracted more attention
IN the st five years than in twenty
years prior to that time. The result
is that to-day the Crescent City has
no lack Of good thoroug nfares. and if
there are some sections that are still
1ar BEHIND the lime IN the matter of
good streets il is because these por-
lions Of New Crle ms have not yet
been reached by the gentlemen in
terested in the advancement and
prosperity OF their beloved Crescent
iCty.
1t need hardly be stated here that
well paved streets are a necessity in
any city. Indepe nden. of the con-
venience they afford tradesmen who
seek rapid delivery of goods pur-
che sed and sold, the fact is called to
mind that nothing adds to the at
tractiveness of a city like the good
appearance of its streets. Cities with
reputation for sha bbiness in the
matter OF thoroughfares rarely at
tain extraordinary commercial pros
perity. It was not until the people Of
New Orleans began to realize the i'm
portance of improving tne streets
that the capt. lists of the North and
East were attracted to it.
There are several kinds OF paving
material used I'm New Orleans. AS
phalt is laid on the streets where the
traffic Is confined exclusively to
spring vehicles. In streets where the
fife is heavier Belgian block, vitri.
fed brick and square block is used
There are u few cobble stone streets
and mum rous graveIed thorhoush-
fares. The Rosetta gravel has
proved. however. wret chel failure
as paving material, ana those who
put ii down in front os their stores
or residences have found that it was
waste of both time and money. In
dry weather the dust IS insupport-
able. and in wet weather the red
mud on the streets is 81 deep that
vehicles passing through. 1t are in
imminent dang + of breaking.
The asphalt. vitriiied brisk and Bel
CLAN block have given the most salts
faction. An effort " made some
years ago to lay a wooden pavement.
but 1t ives not successful. New Or
leans now boasts OF over 100 milss Of
paved streets. They are SMOOTH and
serviceabie and are loo ted in every
section OF the city. One of the fin st
drives in the world is st. Charles ave-
nue.. There is a wide stretch of as
phalt extending for miles on either
side of an eXpanse of neutral
ground. There are double tracks for
electric ears on the neutral ground
nd magnificent residences raise their
heads imposingly on both sides of the
avenue. From Lee Circle to Carroll
ton is an uninterrupted stretch of
magnificent roadway
The streets are swept constantly by
a large force of labarors. This sys-
tenn Of cleaning mas he lthful effect
on tn Inhabitants. There is not near
as much slcknese9 in Mex Orleans to-
day as there was bef.jre the street
cleaning process was in vogue. With
streets kept perfectly elean and gut
tiers in constant state Of clearhesS
(lor hte drainage system Of New Or
leans is overgrounD II Is but natural
that the health of the city should b
kept at very high standard.
Anent the drainage question. it may
be stated III there is now being per-
fected for New Orleans one of the
finest systems of drainage in the
world. The water will be DETECTED
with tho aid of canals into Lake
Borgne, and millions of dollars
will be expended on the project.
When this plan is in execution New
Orleans cen boast of being singuIarly
blessed. 1t is to-day one OF the most
forward cities of the country, socially
and commercially. What will it be
when Its drainag is equal 0f not SUI
perior) to that of any city Of its size
in the country?