Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1902-10-12
OBJECTIONS TO MAYORS PLAN.

will for Coler.
OBJECTIONS TO MAYORS PLAN.
The Graphic has heard objections
to the mayors plan for the erection of
a city hall, and the vehicle owners are
especially objeetng. They aver that
when license tax was imposed upon
vehicles that it was alleged by the
mayor and council 10 be necessary
fzs' street improvement, the amount
of revenue collected by the city being
so small that not enough street money
could be had to keep the streets pass
ably repaired. and We're it not for the
necessity Of raising additional street
funds the tax would MT be imposed
upon vehicles. The vehicle owners
contend that if there is 10 be a suf-
ficient sum realized for the streets
from the road tax voted at the last
election, then in justice to the vehicle
owners the license tax on vehicles
should be abolished.
On the other hand Mayor Bells
plan for the erection of new city
hall does. not contemplate the expendi-
tu9e OF the license taxes on the n1uni
cipal building, but to be expended
upon the streets as at present. His
plan centemplates the expenditure of
the road tax and license taxes upon
the streets and that portion of the
general revenue which is being used
upon the streets to be diverted to the
bu;ifiing of new city hall.
The Graphic does not believe that
The Vehicle tax is a serious factor in
tae matter. In all progressive cities
Of the size of Pine Bluff a vehicle tax
is imposed, and it is done in cities
which collect much greater amount
of general revenue than is collected in
Pine Bluff. To continue the collec-
ii n of the vehicle tax for street pur-
poses would prove wise
investment OF the money thus collect
ed, as the streets certainly are in
need of all the money that can be had
for them, and the Graphic seriously
doubts the wisdom Of withdrawing any
part of the general revenue
from the streets for the purpose of
e,eeting a new city hall.
OF course every resident Of Pine
called a city hall is disgrace to the
city, but the streets are a worse dis
grace than the city hail. The first thing
absolutely necessary for the creati1.1
OF progressive and uptodate city is
d system Of good streets, and in this
every resident of the city knows
that Pine Bluff is dry lacking Ex-
Ccpt the few blocks Of Drick streets in
the centeral business section of the
city there is not frst-class street in
the city. There is some gravel on
Third and Fifth avenues, the first
named having been graveled by the
Cotton Belt railway. Gravel makes
d little better street than dirt, and
with small cost added to the expense
OF gravenng wound put down mac
adamized street, which makes a dur
able and permanently improved thor
oughfare.
The city has practically no sewe@
system, lhlng very necessary to the
nealth :. the city, as no city can be
kept clean and healthful with surface
drainage only.
The city has practically no scaveng-
er service, which is imperative in a
city watch rs kept with any regard for
the health of its inhabitants.
A pretty city bah would be a very
lice saieCt O point oHt TO str myers
within The gate, but good streets, a
Item Of sewers, aad clean kept |
nitT @o3I@ so m9ch lu.tner toward +
pGuelnS tao stranger within the
faa to become citizen.