The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1900-01-03
COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS.
BROoKHAvEN, Jan. 1. 1900

/
EDITOR OF The LEaDER:-I notice
from the columns Of your valuable pa.
per that there is movement on foot
to establish system of sewerage in
our town. L think that this is a step
in the right direction, but there are
other matters also that need attention.
The system of water works and lights
is far from complete. 1t may not be
generally known, but it is fact, never
theless, that almost half the town is
not supplied with lights and water
from the new system. The whole pop
ulation, however, is taxed for this i'm
provement. 1t was the understanding
when this matter was voted on by the
people that all citizens anywhere with
in the city limits would be furnished
with water and lights if desired. This
part of the agreement has not been
carried out by the Mayor and Board of
Aldermen, not because of any fault on
their part, but for the reason that the
fund with which they we're provided
Tor this purpose was insufficient to en-
able them to do so. They have extend
ed the system as far as they can with
the money given them and the plant is
taxed to more than its full capacity.
For instance, the 1000 light dynamo is
pulling about 1900 lights. The Mayor
and Aldermen would be glad, we think,
to give the entire town the benefit of
this great improvement if they we're as
sured by the tax payers that an add
tional issue of bonds sufficient for this
purpose would meet with their approx
al. The public spirit of our citizenship
should keep pace with the growth and
expression of the town and encourage
the city authorities to make ample pro-
vision for its increasing demands. Only
a favored few, those who are so fortu-
nate as to live in or near the heart of
the city, receive the advantages of the
water and light system, and yet all help
to bear the burdens This is in viola.
ton of that great principle of demo
cratic government which declares in
favor of Equal rights to all and spe-
cial privileges to none" The town is
inadequately provided for, and thus it
appears that although in size and pop
ulalation we are large town. yet in
public spirit, selfish and small.
An improvement could also be made
in the matter of side walks. Brookha-
ven, not the coming but already the
Metropolis of South Mississippi, great
educational centre, place of wealth
and high ideals-but Mud Mud
Mud This may seem to be going from
the sublime to the ridiculous with a
vim and rather abruptly, but truth is
no respecter of sentiment. Not even
plank sidewalk in the town, and with
one or two exceptions, the sidewalks
are little, if any, better than none, save
in the business part of the town! We
have heard of the Indian wearing his
broadcloth, swallow tail coat, SLOUGH
hat, copperas breaches and no shoes at
all. Behold Brookhaven with the stock
ordinance, electric lights, water works,
sewerage and dirty, muddy sidewalks !!
Is there town in Mississippi, however
far in the interior, however far behind
in the march of progress, however
small in population, however deeply
entrenched it may be in its "old fogy"
ideal, but can say truthfully to Brook
haven, 'You may be in advance of us
along some lines, but our sidewalks
are as good as yours?
If the above language is too strong
then we modify it by saying that as
general rule our side walks are simply
disgraceful. The editor of The LEAD
Err suggested the plan about year ago.
Let the town make the side walks and
the taxpayers refund the cost by in
stallments.
Now in reference to sewerage, we do
not oppose it, but say, let's have it by
all means; not system just half large
enough, but one commensurate with
the size and needs of the town. The
city authorities will follow where the
taxpayers lead, and they should be en-
couraged to put in system too large
rather than too small. Let the town
grow to it rather than have it grow
with the town. Prospective citizens
are apt to measure the town by the &C
commodations provided, and we are
sure we want them to get the idea that
we have large town and that it is 60
ing to be very much larger. We do not
want them to go away with the idea
that it is either very small town or is
expected to decline and retrograde.
viii not the good ladies who have
put this matter on foot secure an esti-
mate of the cost necessary to complete,
for it is inadequate by half, the water
works and electric light system, the
cost of improving the side walks, and
the cost of a sewerage system, and
amend their petition by asking for a
bond issue suffic lent to make all these
improvements
PROGRESS.