The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-27
SPEAKING OF The STREETS.
The 1horny Paths the Citizens Of Rich
mond Hare 10 Travel.
HILLS And VALLEYS BOTH ABOUND.
Residents Ashamed to show the Visitor
Around-Ths Long People
Tired of Excuscs- Scar ching Anx-
iousiy for Cause Of These Things.
Speaking OF streets.

Speaking OF streets.
But that Is not what the people ars
speaking OF now. They are uttering
deep imprecations upon the absence OF
streets, for no person with "A properly
balanced mind would call the broken
paths which mearder through Richmond
by the dignhed name OF streets.
|. 's indeed a serious problem that now
eonfronts tho city. and one which has
long passed the stage when 1t would be
the prope' subject for jest. The streets
OF the city have slowly. but surely. gone
from badsto wore, until now, particular
ly during and after a rainy spell. 1t has
become a matter of somc difficulty. not 10
say danger TO get from one point to an
other.
HILLS AND VALLEYS
In many quarters of Richmond the side
walks closely resemble. in miniature. q
country. dotted with hills and valleys.
among which the citizens staggers along
with many imprecations upon whoever
may be responsible for the terrible con-
dition OF affairs. In this scene OF DISC
lation. Ninth street. between Main and
Franklin stands forth a shining example
of what time and the daily pressure OF
many feet can accomplish when rothng
is done 10 check their rayages.
How long is this condition OF affairs 10
oontinueP This is the question now be-
ing asked on all sides? Why is 1t that
Richmond a city Of nearly 10000 souls.
cannot have sidewalks and streets as
good as Other cities, some OF them much
smaller2 who is responsible for all these
things?
So far the echo has been left the task
of answering these questions. There is
no trouble at all I'm obtaining long
list of excuses for the failure TO keep the
streets in repair. but the people are tired
OF excuses They contend and with great
justice, that there Is no reason why the
streets of Richmond should not be kept
In good condition.
ASHAMED OF THEM.
Il am ashamed to take my friends out
to Sc, the city when they come here 10
visit me-" said a gentleman yesterday. II
feel like keeping them shut up In my
house so that they cannot see our dis
graceful streets and sidewalks"
Many persons are disposed to blame
the City Engineers Department and tine
Street Committee, but these officials have
been powerless. For several years past
the appropriation for the maintenance OF
streets has been getting smaller ana
smaller, until in 1925 IL was nothing but
joke
Every year the City Engineer rropares
an estimate OF what is necessary TO keep
the streets in repair. and every year that
estimate is cut down until II IL barely
adequate 10 keep the department going
on the smallest possible scale. and with
out penny to expend In repairing the
unsightly streets.
ON Twenty-frst street, south OF Frank
lin the red mud this minute Is several
inches deep. and those who reside along
that street have the greatest difficulty In
getting TO and from their homes.
The picture r. not overdrawn. with Its
streets defaced by mud and @t, its alleys
blocked up by ashes and tin car :, II may
al last come to be like the Deserted VII
lage" described by Goldsmith.
The people are anxiously searching for
the cause of all these things.