Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-03-02
Internal improvement.
PUBLIC MEETING.

VI Deikeicy county, held at the
Mill Creek Hotel. on Saturday. the
18th Of February. 1897. pursuant 10
notice. for the purpose Of taking into
consideration the expediency Of con-
struchng McAdsmized Road from
Winchester, by way of Mill Creek,
Darkesviile, and Martin,burg 10 vii.
Transport, Mary land-THoNAs Bar
ARLr. ESQ. was called to the Chair.
and Washington Exams and Jersmiah
IfouAins, appointed Secretaries.
The object of the meeting being
stated in few remarks, by Charles
J. Faulkner, Esq. the Chair named
the following gentlemen. viz: Charles
James Faulkner, VIM. c.. Morgan.
Stephen r. Snodgrass, James w. Hen.
shaw, Richard Timberlake, Alfred
Ross, George Holiday. III. Timberiske.
and Micajah Beeson. as 4 committee
TO report proceedings TO the meeting.
The Committee having retired for
some time, returned. and through their
Chairman, Mr.. Faulkner, submitted
the following Report and Resolutions:
/ Whilst all concur in the Importance
oil system OF good roads towards de-
veloping the resources Of n country.
and indeed in the incompstabiliiy a.
demonstrated by all experience of q
system Of bad rouA with a high degree
OF agricultural prosperity. it is q fact
not more lameniable than true, that in
no portion Of this Commonwealth, has
there existed less effective action on
that vital subject. than in the county
iot Berkeley. Sundry proportions
pregnant with the most beneficial re.
suits to the farming interest. have, from
time 20 time, been suggested by the
forecast Of individuals, but IT has been
our misfortune TO see every scheme
perish, almost IN the moment Of its
conception and up TO this day, altho'
lew counties IN the State exceed Berks-
ley in the fertility aud productiveness
OF Its lands-frw in the probable ex-
tent and value Of its mineral resources
and none in the felicity Of its loca-
ton, and the general wealth and intel
ligence OF iis inhabitaniS-it is . fact
that there does not exist within its Ii
mits. a single mile of improved road,
or artificial navigation. The products
OF our farmers, IN their nature bulky
and difficult Of transportation, continue
10 suffer an important dininu,ion of
their value, from the obstacles 10 q
prompt and easy communication with
the contiguous improvements; and still
no continued, pcrscvering, and sys,e-
matte appeal has yet been made TO in
di'Idusl enterprise or legislative JUS
hce. TO remedy the grievance under
which We labor. In almos; every Sec
ton OF the State We may observe evil
dence OF the expenditure Of the public
money. but so far. the county OF Berke-
ley has never received a solitary farth-
ing. IN aid of any enterprise calculated
to develope It's resources or advance it's
internal communication.
1t is time We should awake from this
fatal lethargy. AID unless We desire
to incur the risk of seeing our lands de-
preciate IA value; our population scat
tered To the West, and Berkeley out
stripped IN every generous enterprise
by ITS more energetic Drighbors, we
should have our attention earnestly and
intensely drawn to this Sll-impor:snt
subject.
Happily. the condition Of our State is
such 1t this time. as TO afford more n
bundsnily than at any former period Of
its history, the means Of aiding and
stimulating private enterprise. II 10
known that by one a those uBpTece-
denied occurrences which constitute
IN era ~ government, a considerable
sum Of money las recently been de-
,.....t.I a.. al. q
be distributed under State autLority in
some manner most promotse Of ib
best Interests and prosperity. What d.
Tection that fund NAV take. u is not 10
our power Of tins time % form a certain
opinion, nor shall We upon this occa-
sion hazard any suggestion or prefer
ence Of cor own, a. 10 what should bS
iis proper destination 49, Yet, should Il
be The pleasure II Tire General Assem-
bly las Judging from some recent midi
cations. may not BE improbsble--to sp-
ply the money tu asystem Of General
sud Local improvement We Sannot
permit ourselves 20 doubt bot that q
portion 81 u will be award
I'd. hy the justice 81 that body. 10 he
\ alley Of Virginia aud should such
be- the Cate. We have Gill less doubt u
he irresistible claims Of the county u
Berkeley TO a large participation IN ,is
benefits
The county n Berkeley occupies .
position IA ibs Valley bich places N
. peculiar mAaner within hs ooLtfol the
highest advantages 10 BE- derived from
those magnificent National and State
Improvements which have been con.
.trucied and ste now IN a process q
execution puDcipsily through the
means and resources II our nsigbboE-
ing States. i may Be safely ssseFied
hat no county ~ the State possesses