Year: 1874

committee upon whom devolved the duty


of investigating the cost Of the contem-


plated Improvement notwithstanding the


report OF the committee Of which he was


member indicates that the work could


be well done at a cost not exceeding one


hundred and twenty thousand dollars


rises in his place in the Council Chamber


and says the work can not be done for


two hundred thousand dollars. He at
least dissents from the written opinion OF


the committee as expressed In the report.
DOES THE CONTEMPLATED IMPROVEMENT
FACILITATE ANYTHING.


In other words when the Improvement
shall have been completed how much


would the city have gained in easy access
to the country districts from whence we
draw our supplies. II ~ -


In order to answer this proposition 1t is
important to observe the termini of the
proposed paving. Southwark it ends at
Shultz's corner or 42d street, and there or
short distance below we drop into the
mire Of the rural districts, though scarcely
beyond the city limits.


THE JOHN STREET CONNECTION.


Perhaps the outside connection of this
thoroughfare with the far off beyond can
not be better expressed than in the Ian
guage of Capt Wilson, who said in Coun
Gil, "that it began nowhere and ended in
a grave yard" This topography beginning
in chaos and ending in death, though a
little fanciful on the part OF our friend, is
substantially correct. If even Nichol-,
son pavement,sm smooth as the Appian way,
was laid out to its dead line, country
wagons would still enter the city by the
old National Road, rather than encounter
the difficulties and danger Of the road
across Thompson hill. ..-


THE MAIN STREET TERMINUS.


Northwsrd we find a portion of street
that needs the attention of the City
Fathers as badly as any section OF
given length within the scope of their jur-
isdiction. The contemplated improve
ment in that direction stops at the egress
from Jonathan's Gut. SCertainly it
would not extend beyond the Top hill.
Much of our supplies come from Ohio,
and the facilities for reaching this termi.
nus from that side depends on the condi-
tion Of Ohio roads and portion Of the
year on that OF the river. On our own
side above the Mill, the country folks
would still be left to wrestle with the mar
row guage and wintry depths of the coun.
try paths. -s


ACROSS THE ISLAND. ~


We have the only inlet and outlet that
reaches something substantial, something
with which a connection is not only de-
sirable and important, but absolutely
necessary. Zane street in its present condi-
tion is incompetent to sustain the demands
that are madesupon it. The Street Rail-
way and the immense wagon traffic is too
much for it. We have on the other side
of the river an indefini extent of coun-
try, very large portion Of the product of
which seeks market in our city. 1t is
permeated by good road, over which it
is possible at all seasons of the year to Sc
cure an easy transit.


The connecting link between the city |
and this important line of communica-
ton during the winter is little less than |
terrible. Its condition during the past
winter formed the burden OF the jere- |
miads of our evening contemporary. As |
the coming Summer dries up the streets,
and the fountain of its grief, that journal
lays aside its sack cloth, forgets its travail,
and drops its wailing. In the winter its
course was useless, but now, when some
thing can be done, is the time to urge
such action on the part of the Fathers as
will secure the people of the city and the
country westward, from such fearful
condition of this great thoroUghfare here
after. 'gazE


OUR INDIVIDUAL POSITION. /


We wish TO be clearly understood as
disavowing any intention to throw cold
water on the street improvement, which
has for weeks been under consideration
by the Council. 1t is worthy OF every
dollar that can be properly expended
upon it for the exclusive benefit
of those who live within the
distinct limits of the city corporation,
provided always that the contemplated
work be done in a thorough and perma-
nent manner. Our only object in dis
cussing the subject through the paper is
that the people may understand the ques- |
ton in all its bearings, that they may be
informed of the real opinion OF the Coun-
Gil upon this important subject, as indi-
Gated in their discussion Of it. 7a.


THE FIRST BRANCH.


It is evident that the gentlemen COM
posing the First Branch of the City Coun'
Gil do; not believe that the amount OF
money, for the raising of which tits pro.
posed TO ask the use Of the city's credit,
will be sufficient to complete the improve:
ment upon the scale contemplated in the
ordinance according to the true intent
and meaning thereof, permanent pave.
ment. Il


That is exactly why in our estimation
the first branch hesitates to take final ac-.
tion on the question.
SHALL THE WHOLE WORK BE DRoPPED.


II, Wa. had the right to decide we
should most emphatically say no. 1t is
evident that at some time We must begin
somewhere to permanently improve our
streets and il the financial condition of
the city will not admit OF lis being done
on large scale let it nevertheless be done,
if it be but one street at time.


lao. WHERE sHALL WE BReN9