The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-12
THE STREET PAVING 1.

It is much to be regretted that the work of paving the streets and sidewalks of Montgomery should be suspended for any cause. As to the merits of the hti- gation now going on, The Advertiser has nothing to say at present. Whether the methods of assessing and collecting paw ing taxes are the best that could be in- stituted is a question about which there must naturally be differences of opinion. It may be that there are and have been hardships and inequalities and actual in- justice in connection with the matter. All this may be true, but 1t is none the less unfortunate that the work is sus- pended and that no paving is going on.
 Many of us remember when the whole of Commerce Street in winter was little better than . muddy waste. through which carriages. drays and other vehicles were drawn with half loads and at great expense. We also remember when Dex- ter Avenue was little better. and when 1t was impossible to cross Court Square dur ing the rainy season except by carefully picking one's way over the substitutes for crossings. Most of the business por- ton of the city in those days was a com bination of mud and filthy water, an offence to the senses. an impeachment to travel and traffic and a menace to health. The sidewalks were little better. as we we'll remember. When they were paved at all, it was with uneven patchwork. or badly placed and slippery stones.
 All this Is vividly remembered by those of us who have spent even a score of years in Montgomery. The improvement over those former conditions is wonder full. Even those of us who have resided here continuously ire surprised at the betterment and wonder how the citizens could put up with such an unsightly and disreputable state of affairs.
 The estimate which strangers place cn a city has changed very perceptibly dur ing tn elast quarter of century. Form erly, when a traveller visited city dur ing the winter season, he was not sur prised to find the streets muddy and the sidewalks unpleasant for the pedestrian. but 1t is different now. The citizens of Montgomery have good cause to be proud not only of the streets and sidewalks, but of the opinions expressed by visit ors. One of the first remarks made by, q stranger when he enters our city Is: What a clean town you have, and what splendid streets and sidewalks" This is the almost universal expression, and 1t is not only gratifying to our local pride, but has a material side to 1t. There can hardly be a better advertise ment for any city than cleanliness, and in no way can that be secured better than by having nice clean streets and sidewalks. It Is a kind of advertising which catches the eye of every visitor and Is carried away with him.
 What has been done in Montgomery Is in every way creditable to the city and to the citizens. but much remains to be done, and that is why 1t is so unfor- tunate that the work is not, continued. As before stated, we are not arguing on the equities of the situation. but on what we consider the real misfortune of having the work stopped. Cannot some arrangement be made which will be
 just and fair to the city and to the prop erty owners. and by which the streets and sidewalks of all sections of the city can be improved. as others have been? We speak for the credit of the city, and 1 we earnestly hope that the differences now existing may be adjusted and that the work of improvement will go on till we have the fairest and cleanest city in all the South.