Street Paving and Removal of Benches Discussed, Hendersonville, 1914

“City Commissioners Meet” from the June 4, 1914, issue of the Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad Hustler, Hendersonville, N.C.

Consider Street Paving, Resting Benches, News Stands, Etc.

The paving of Sixth avenue, clearing Main street of all benches, news stands; preparing for the city deeds covering advertised property for taxes, and safety gates at the depot were among the questions discussed by the city commissioners Thursday night.

J.R. Hill headed a delegation of property owners on Sixth avenue, urging the importance of paving this street. It had been estimated that it could be paved from Main to Justice street for $18,000. A petition signed by the majority of the property owners was filed a week previous. The board decided to take the proper steps toward paving the street. It is likely that the avenue will be paved beyond Justice street as S.J. Harris stated that seven out of 10 property owners had signed a petition to extend the improvement.

John L. Orr was granted a permit to erect a nine-room house on Willow street.

The board discussed at some length the question of permitting news stands on two corners of the street near the post office and placing of benches along Main street for the accommodation of the weary ones, for which a subscription had been raised by Dr. L.B. Morse. The board took the view that the benches would prove more of a nuisance tan a luxury or accommodation to the class of people for whose comfort they would be placed; that they would be occupied by negroes, loafers, vagrants, hangers-on, foul-mouth and tobacco-spitting brigades, hence they decided to clear the street of benches now resting thereon and not permit new ones installed.

Commissioner Freeze reported that Capt. J.W. Bailey had assured him that the Southern railway would have a flagman at the depot crossing, beginning June 1, thereby obviating the necessity of safety-gates. The board decided that such protection of the public would be inadequate and that it would be well to advise the state corporation commission that the city desires a hearing on the matter.

The city attorney will be instructed to make the proper procedure toward deeding to the city property bid in at tax sales during the past two years. (that’s how it read, but obviously something is missing)

To Elect Officers

The city commissioners in annual session Thursday night of this week will elect a number of school trustees and officers on the city pay roll, including a secretary, four policemen, plumbing inspector, business manager, fireman and possible a health officer.

The work of the past year will come to a close, thus necessitating the election of officers. According to the commissioners, there is no push and jam of applicants for the positions, which are filled by the following:

Business manager, George W. Justice.

Secretary, Howard Miller.

Policemen, J.W. McCarson, chief; E.L. Thompson, T.C. Williams, Otis Powers.

Fireman, J.H. Clayton.

Plumbing Inspector, S.H. Johnston.

Six school trustees will be elected. The board is composed of the following: A.F.P. King, T.W. Valentine, K.G. Morris, R.C. Clarke, S.J. Justice, J.F. Brooks, C.E. Brooks, U.G. Station.

While there is a sentiment among the commissioners to elect one or more women to serve on the board, it is likely that this step will not be taken this year, since sentiment for the service of women is not strong enough to suggest the necessity of their appointment.

It is understood that J.H. Jordan will be an applicant for the position of business manager, which has been filled by Mr. Justice since the establishment of this office one year ago. It is reported that Mr. Johnston will also have opposition.