The Opelousas courier., 1902-02-22
The Sidewalk Question.

o1AN ClJSCCtLDlC
Der OF citizens who assembled'at
the Court House last Saturday
night to discuss the question, the
people are in favor of issuing
bonds for the purpose of paying
the costs of sidewalks. So far.
we understand, there is little diff
terence of opinion on the subject.
But there is some diversity of ex-
preston as to whether the bond
issue should P9 large enough to
defray the entire cost of building
the sidewalks, or whether these
improvements should be paid for
an part by the owners of proper
ties who will secure them.
The object Of this article will be
to unite the voters and property
owners upon plan fair alike to
all, and which will thus insure the
adoption by the people of salts
factory solution of this important
matter.
The first point to be considered,
conceding that the people are in
favor of the issuance of bonds. is.
to what amount can the town of
Opelousas issue bonds? The law
says that it cannot issue more than
an amount equal to one-tenth of
It's property assessment. AS the
assessment is 100000, not more
than 100000 can be raised by this
means. Now, is this sufficient to
furnish sidewalks for everybody
who e1pects to have them, or even
for those who ought to have them?
We admit that the sidewalks
which are used most should be
paved first, ana that they should
be paved with the most expensive
and durable material; we also ad-
NIT that every citizen will share
in the benefits to be received by
this great work, and that no one
should oppose the bond issue sim
ply because his property does not
happen to be located in the center
of town. But we say that the
surest way to unite the people on
the question is to distribute the
benefits over a greater area; that
is, build more sidewalks than IL
bond issue can pay for; build two
or three times the quantity that the
money derived from the sale of
bonds will pay for. How can this
be done?
The answer is easy, and in our
judgment is a practical and salts
factory solution Of the whole ques-
ton. Let one-half or one-third
of the cost of the sidewalk be paid
for by the owner of the property
which gets the sidewalk, the
other half or two-thirds to be
borne by tho town, that is.
paid for out of the money de-
rived from the sale Of bonds. AS
the taxpayers will have to pay the
maturing bonds, as well us the in
terest on all, every one will thus
contribute his equal share Of the
money paid by the town. AS the
owner of the property will receive
additional benefits by having his
sidewalk built, because his prem
ises will be enhanced in value and
appearance, he, too, should con-
tribute toward the cost of the i'm
provement. Can anything be
fairer OF more equitable?
BY providing that one-half or
one-third of the cost of the side
walk be paid for by the man who
gets it, the fund is increased.
By increasing the amount avail
able for this work, two or
three times the quantity of pave
ments can be built, because those
outside the center of town should
be built of less expensive mate
rial, and those still further out
can be built still cheaper, SO that
| the citizen can get to his home
from his place of business with
out falling into the ditch or soil
ing his clothes. Is it not more
desirable that all the sidewalks
which are frequented should be
built than only those in the busi-
ness center?
When the voters who own prop
erty are brought to understand
that they pay the tax to be levied
to meet the bonds in order to Sc
cure for their own property the
improvements in question, regard
less of the fact that it is situated
outside the center, there will and
can be no opposition to the bond
issue. As to those who own the
property in the center of town,
they will not oppose bond issue
simply because they must pay a
part Of the cost of their pave
ments, because, in the first place,
| it IS right and equitable that they
should contribute to this expense,
and in the second place, if they
vote down proposition which
paws one-half or. two thirds of the
expense for them, a more burden
some law may be passed and en-
forced.
In conclusion we say, let US come
together on this question and vote