The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-02-16
MIR. O,BRIEN's CARD.

great deal of pleasure yesterday morn
ing Alderman O'Brien's card in answer
to its editorial of Sunday on the con-
ditiOn of u streets. We never in
~tentionally do any "a or official an
injustice, and our columns are always
open to communications containing
fair criticism of our editorial COM
ments.
We are especially glad of Mr..
OBrien's card because it gives us OPP
pOrtunity to say a word or two more
regarding our streets.
We agree with Mr.. O'Brien that
much work has been done in the way
Of putting down new sidewalks here
and there and we admit that his COM
mittee and the board of aldermen have
been hampered as to necessary funds
for doing the so-called permanent
work or the roadways of the streets.
On the other hand, Mr.. O'Brien agrees
with us that the streets are not in the
condition they should be and that the
paving being done is only temporary,
because of the kind Of material used.
But we must stin say that in our
opinion the law requiring property
owners to repair the sidewalks in front
of their lots has not been enforced as
it should have been. That law has
been in effect for nearly nine months,
and still there are many badly broken
places in the brick pavements on
some of the principal streets of the
city which have been there for months
and are growing worse and more dan
gerous to pedestrians daily. 1t is of
more Importance that these bricks
should be replaced than that granu-
lthic paving should be put down
where there are better sidewalks.
If Mr.. O'Brien will read The Mes
senger's editorial carefully he will see
that the above is the only criticism in
that article he can cOnstrue as direct
ed at the streets and wharves commit
tee, the board of aldermen or the
mayor. We expressly declared that
regarding the roadways in the streets
the city government is, no doubt, do
ing all it can, but the trouble is the
paving which is being put down is not
Of the proper quality. The down town
streets should be paved with vitrified
brick" Of the closing sentence in the
above we have the endorsement Of
Mr.. O'Brien in his card.
Mr.. O'Brien asks The Messenger:
Now Mr. Editor please inform us
where to get the money to make per-
manent street improvements in the
down town districts, if you do you will
have no reason to complain Of the bad
condition Of the streets, and I assur
o every member Of the board from
his honor, the mayor, down, will raise
their hats to you and thank you, as
O are aware the board Of aldermen
have not the authority to appropriate
one dollar for any purpose without
the approval of the board of audit and
finance. g.
We will answer the query with the
greatest pleasure, and the answer is:
Issue bonds. Your board has the au-
thority to do so. Furthermore, we
say your board should issue bonds to
a sufficient amount to pave with vitri-
fed brick all the principal streets of
the city. The supreme court Of the
state has declared your board has this
authority. 1t is admitted that money
is needed for permanent street i'm
provments. Your board can raise it.
Will it do it and place the RESPONSE
bility OF the board of audit and finance
of blocking this much needed improve
ment? D..