The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-02-25
Paving the Streets.

Editor Intclligcnccr: The article.
"Some of The Cily's Finances" which
appeared in your issue OF the 18th inst,
causes ME to direct this communication,
trusting that no part OF it will convey
the slightest intimatiOn or suspicion of
any other but pure motives.
AS q citizen it is n duty one owes to
himself and the community in which
he is living to stand ns q sentinel on
the tower watching the approach Of
danger in order I o sOund the alarm
warning has been given, other forces
must be brought into play and do their
part. This i propose to do in the spirit
of loyalty to my town, in the feeling Of
brOtllcrly love for my fellow man, and
with the best OF intentions for the flu
turc welfare of the community in
which | am living. If my criticisms on
the former methods OF Il street de-
paitincIlt appear somewhat harsh, it is
for the sake OF criticising so much
as 1t IS to present my views from the
taken place under IOOsc habits must be
rcincdicd, or we shall remain laggarls
IN civilization.
TO have spent &lO.1sS.3, for the year
ending last August on streets alone,
alld nave no streets after all, is simply
Il iarct and crime against all princi-
pies III modern civic science. such
IN amount should be applied to inter
est and II sinking fund ON i'm amount
to permanently build our streets, VIC
VIII 1T least have streets that will in
crease and not decrease traffic. Asst
now stands, we have expended about
forty thousand dollars (On so called
street improvements during the last
1--we or SIX years, aud o Il dollar of re-
turn to the town outside of some of the
permanent Belgian block crossings and
clrbings provided by the last Council.
This in reality is the only permanent
Improvement to be seen and for which
the city's money has been judiciously
applied. but for the other thousands
that have beer paid put by our city
treasury, we may as we'll look for them
ut the bottom OF the sea for real bcne-
lit. This being true, why shall u citi-
zen be adm0nished to refrain from
further discussion on the muddy streets
and the bond issue?
Publicity on MI matters pertaining
L" the welfare and expansion of Il COM
munity is the only means by which
great undertakings can le carried out.
10 remain silent for fear that some
mes feelings will be wounded is anti
Guatcd and harmful to Il community
that is aiming to develop it's p0ssibili-
ties. We. are living i'm an K where
rapid stride must be madoOr rctrOg;es-
sion will be the result. Shall we,
therefore, protect the individual to tho
dctrilment of the whole community?
Or shall We remain secrctivo about II
matter that every citizen has Il right to
know, or fearing because IL few narrow
minded lndiviiuals may vcntilate their
opposition? No, Mr.. Editor, never will
VIC accomplish anything through sccre-
tive methods, or what tie politician
sees fit to call political tactics. There
IS simply nothing political in this
movement for street improvement But
Il plain. open proposition rs to whether
IT. Will be cheaper for the town to con-
nue. to spend $4,000 or $11 900 per
annum and ut % end of twenty years
rCnlnln where we are at present. OF
spend Il sufficient sum now for pcrma-
nent improvements and in few years
have streets that will be II delight and
n pleasure to travel over. This seems
very plain 10 any unprejudiced mind
AMI not quite as "muddy"n problem us
some might suppose.
Let our City Council or street depart
mont make public their plans without
fear OF meeting with opposition. and
am SURE that no rational thinking citi-
zen will oppose them if in keeping with
the city's financial ability to meet it.
Martin Luther, to whom the world is
indebted to-day for the stride Chris
has made, said: = a "Do
what ie right and fear no man."
Therefore. it would. in my humble
opinion, be wisdom to discuss this mat
tor thoroughly and fight the battle on
open lines. There should be nothing
hide; the people have a right to
Know how their money shall be used.
.. Gcisberg.