Year: 1859

A Contrast


Some three or four weeks ago Mr.. SIn-
MoNs commenced the erection of foun-
dation for fine brick building on Massa-
chusetts street, little south of Henry
street. He has pushed the matter with
all possible diligence, excavated his base
ment, and walled the same ready to re-
ceive the brick superstructure. Some few
days ago he was notified to appear before
the city authorities to answer for obstruct-
ing the streets. It appears that portion
of the earth was deposited in front of the
building, mostly on the ground which
,ciN be occupied by the sidewalk. Sim
mons was mulcted in fine and costs
Every taxpayer and citizen of the place
will say it was swift-footed justice, and as
it will be lesson to property holders who
are making Improvements, it is well.


Passing to Winthrop street, which has
beautiful natural grade from Massachu-
sets street to the river, and on which
there are sundry Improvements, we find
some two and half years ago Mr. ALLEN
was erecting building on the corner
The earth from the excavation of the
basement was deposited in the street, and
in due time levelled of, sloping to the
middle, by which all the water accumula-
ting on that side of Winthrop is thrown
into the center of the street. The same
grounds have been occupied to nearly the
center of the street during a greater part
of such time, as a lumber and wood yard,
and depository for agricultural imple-
ments, and the clippings of tin from the
tinshop. This was mostly removed some
two months ago, but now it is again used
for a woodward. A little further east
and for the last two months one-half the
street has been obstructed by deposit of
earth from the excavation for an adjoining
building Complaint having been made
to the city authorities, it is understood
they compromised with the parties, and
had itremoved partially at the city expense
and used the earth to fill up other streets.
Still it is left in such a manner as to leave
the grounds much the highest on that
side of the street, forcing the water past
the center and throwing it upon the occu-
pants who have valuable improvements
on the opposite side. The street is still
used by the occupants for a woodward,
the deposit of agricultural implements,
coal, stone, and tin clippings. They have
not limited their interference with the
street to the front of their own lot, but
have extended it across the lane, and for
some distance along the grounds of the
adjoining lot on Winthrop street.


As one of the taxpayers of Lawrence
we protest against such partiality or fa-
voritism on the part of our city authori-
ties. We demand either the clearance of
Winthrop street of every unnecessary OBJ
struction, the resembling of Mr.. SIMMONS
fine, or surrender of the city government
to the people, that they may select new
men to take charge of it, who will be i'm.
partial in their transactions. Messrs. AL
LEN & GILMORE, or the publishers of the
Lawrence Republican, have no more rights
on Winthrop street, or any other street in
Lawrence, than the most humble citizen,
and if privileges are conferred upon them
inconsistent with this, every taxpayer
should join in such a protest at the next
municipal election as will put an end to
it for oil time.