The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-13
CLEAN STREETS AND SIDEWALKS.
Their Value and Necessity Consid-
cred I'm Detail.
q. Loo,


Seattle, Dec. II. 1887.
To the Editor: The ladies who have
called attention through the press to our
unciean street and sidewalks deserve the
thanks Of every well-wisher OF the city.
Let us hope something good Will come OF
these praiseworthy efforts at reform ana
cleanliness. Ladies are the greatest SUI
ferers from this state OF affairs. and IT Is
a matter of surprise that they have SUBJ
missively borne such vexatious trials SO
long without making complaints publicly
known. Should q representative number
of them rebel and demand a change in ac-
cordancs with common decency and the
spirit Of the age in which we live. there
can be no question but that their purpose
will be accomplished before many moons
shall have waxed and waned.
Women have 1t In their power to bring
about all needful reforms affecting their
well-bsing, II they 60 at 1t In the right
way and persevere vigorously to the end.
Men cannot resist appeals when their
cause is so manifestly just, propsg and
right, as the one herein considered. In
stances in which women have brought
about reforms on this line are not few.
Conspicuous among them are Mrs. Kinni-
cult, OF New York city. and Mrs. Paul, OF
Chicago, who inaugurated the moves in
their respective cities that brought purifi-
halls, In this state. organized club and
went to work effectively to get clean
streets. This subject may be viewed from
three standpoints:
First-If 1t be true that cleanliness IS
next to Godliness,'' then everyone should
exert his powers TO that end. But In the
present condition Of our sidewalks It is
next TO impossible to walk over them In
rainy weather and keep garments clean.
With ladies 1t is especially trying. In
many places there are high entertainments
of earth which Is continually rolling down
on 10 the sidewalk. and. when wet, becomes
most disagreeable. This dirt often remains
there the year around. Such places are
dangerous for children IN consequence Of
large landslides, which sometimes take
place after freeze. An easy way to rem
edy this would be TO require owners Of
such lots to build . stone wall six feet or
more high. grade the ground back and
sow heavily with grass and clover 10 hold
the loose dirt. The expense would be
light. and suffering public greatly re-
leVed From many OF the alley ways
water and mud are poured on to the side
walks. and continue to run on them In
some Instances for many feet, making a
walk over this siush OF water ana mud Dis
agreeable In the extreme. as all ladies will
testify
There seems TO be no reason why this
water should not be carried by ripes un-
der the walk to the gutter In the street.
thus relieving another evil. Foregoing de-
fects having been remedied sidewalks
could be kept clean BY an occasional sweep
ing.
Secona--FTcm an aesthe,icai point Of
view, II Is safe TO say that no person with
a spark OF the beautiful in his nature can
fail 20 be impressed delightfully by clean
streets and desire to linger long among
such inviting passways. Children are made
better. and strangers are favorahrv I'M
pressed by such surroundings, which IN
sures 20 each and everyone a larger
amount ot happiness IN this life
Thlrd-Tt IS TO sanitary considerations
that much Importance Is attached. Con-
tact with dirty sidewalks Is believed TO
favor the spread OF some diseases. Many
persons with lung and throat troubles so
far forget themselves rs TO make a prae-
tice ot expectorating on the walk regard
less of the effect on others. They could
easily step to the edge % the walk and snIt
in the street. thus relieving the dangers
Of Infection and promote cleanliness OF
all the unnecessarily disgusting things
which affset civilized life expectoration
on the sidewalks is ore % the worst II
i simply shocking 20 person OF refined
seashilittss. For A man 70 be continually
shyirE around great masses Of sputs on
the sidewalks Is had enough but for la
dies x "a infinitely worse. They cannot
enjoy a promenade on the streets without
feeling and knowing that despite al their
Efforts their garments. however nice or
valuable are bound TO be soiled by con-
tact with this nastiness. People should
rot thus soil TIRE sidewalks and neediesslv
oTeni their friends and reighSors All
good people would nc doubt forego thi. In
fraction Of tecency were their attention
properly directed thereto.
Furthermore. snch a practice e thought
nv many 20 favor tire snread OF consunrr-
tior-a disease that carries OF ors-sevsnth
of the ra-e. Eminent physicians. scientists
ard nacteriologtsts so believe So thor
oughly are people Impressed with this
idea nowadays that IN some towns and
public places tuitsrrtr,rste expe~.ors,son
IL prohibited. ard or Some cars ard other
ways O. transportation like measures have
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