Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1910-12-23
A CLEANER AN RErTER CITY.

The key-note of the inaugural adj
dress delivered by Mayor Mathis at
the Installation OF the new mayor and
council Wednesday night was distinct
iy in favor of cleaner and better
cityin every way. Not only do the
mayors intentions relate TO the physi-
cal betterment OF the city, whose i'm
peratiye needs in the way of more
paved streets and more thorough street
sanitation is manifest, but also 10 the
Strengthening of the moral forces OF
the municipality by an active and ag
gressiye enforcement of the city's ordi-
nances.
The crying need of the city in regard
TO cleaner streets-no better aid to
which in many ways can be obtained
than modern payements-is one which
every citizen realizes; Public cleann,
ness and sanitation has a direct and
vital relation to personal hygiene and
well-being, both morally and physical
ly. and the lesson of physical and
moral cleanliness can be impressed on
the citizens in no better way than bH
the eity's setting a good example. ii
is trite and commonplace-bu none
the less eminently true-principle OF
psychology that ill-kept and siatternlS
environments impressed themselves on
the minds and characters of those who
live among them. The same inevitable
principle applies to the cleanly and
wholesome environment, so the teach
ing is plain
Prominent among the recommends
lions of the mayor is that of the imme-
diate sale of the $4,000 of bonds
which have already been voted fol
street paving. With the sum of sS0, 00O
to be supplied by the residents affected
as a supplement for the 1900 bond
sale, the lapse of the next three Oh
four years should witness Americas
with the streets of its business sect IL
neatly and thoroughly paved. Is there
a better preventive of the dust nuis-
ance, which has become pronounce
since the present surface of the streets
was laid, that adequate street paving
Is there a better advertisement for the
city or greater help to the comfort
, and convenience of its merchantsand
residents than will be furnished by
modern, sanitary paving? This rec
ommendation should meet with the un-
qualified support of every resident OF
| the city
In like manner should the appeal
for the carrying out of the citys con-
tract for the Carnegie Library main
tenance and the construction of mod
ern bridges instead OF the present un-
| safe and unsightly ones over the rail
road at Lee and Barlow streets, en-
gage the attention and hearty support
OF the people of Americas. The libra
ry has proved an eminent success in
every way. 1t merits the complete en-
dorsement and support indicated in
the original contract, which has not
been carried out by the city, thereby
lessening the growing sphere of use
fulness of this most worthy public in
stitution. The safety of human life
as we'll as the imperative needs 81
civic improvement, demand the con-
struction of modern bridges in the
two instances noted.
Mayor Mathis is to be heartily com
mended for his prompt and aggressive
manner of placing the needs of the
city before the incoming administra-
ton and the residents of the city
Every recommendation made is one OF
sanity and good business judgment
and the city with profit and safety
can at least inaugurate the work out
lined during the coming year. The
understanding of the city's needs
which Mayor Mathis has shown and
his tested ability as faithful and
competent business man and public
official should enlist the sympathetic
and earnest support of every citizen OF
Americas