Asphalt, Nit.

Since Ann Arbor has begun to .la.lk seriously of pavlng, paving sharks ane dirfecting their attentions this waj'. The latest to enter the ring is the asphalt combine headed by Otto Guellch of Detroit. When the promotors of asphalt pavement start in to convince the peovle of a town tfaat nsphait is %Yhat they want they are aot alway3 very particular about the means they employ. In this The Demofcrat not mean to cast any reflectione upon the esteenïtu! Times, which has reoently become tho Champion of the asphalt nonsense. The extent of The Times' is in being taken in by plausible representations. Tho Times in an extended editorial artiele has rm;ch to say about what Otto Guelich says in favor of asphalt and against brick, but vvhen the zens of Ana Arfaor know that Rir. Guelioh has asphalt to seH an3 is hiraself a paving contractor, they will be ia a positioii 10 understand that (Juelich is engaged in the pleasani accupation of MoTCÏng nis own horn. The figures and "facts given in The Times' arücle are " absundïy incorrect that it i.s klie tci criüei.-e tliem in detail, ft is sufficient to say tbat the people of Ann ArboSr do not want asphalt and that they do want brSck for the paving, which tho.y have now In hand. and they know the reasoq vh. Asphalt is admittedly a pavéraent for resldence and light trafile i streets. It has the advantage of being smooth and comparatively noiseless. But it is mort expensive in its Qrsl cost and rauch more c-ostly in the item of repairs than brk-k. AoJ tfeea Aun Arbor is not goingr to pav residencc streets right anay. The pavement Ann Arbor v.ill lay wlthin this genera tion will be laid upon business and nc:iy traffie sti-eets. It will be laid to d3 away with mud and dust. lts drivins qualities and the noLse made by vt hieles passing over it will be seeoadary considerations. The nia.tttr-i of iirsi importanee will be eheapjiess and durabiiity. In these particulars brick lays way over asphalt. Mr. Guelich to the contrary notwithstandinjj'. The eiierlence of other cities in this matter should guide us rather than the assertions -of an interested ooatractor. 2"o city ivhkh has had experience in paving is layinar asphalt pavfiments for heavy traffie. The Times says the oranra m council and the board of public, works have decided to pave Main street wiih briek. On the eontrary the jiroperty hwihts deeided to pave Main street with brick and petitioned the council to tha effeet. The eouncil is simply earrying into effect the wishes of the peütioners, of whom the editor of The Times is one.