Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-03-02
From the Hesperian
COMMON ROADS.

The yearly wastage of time, money! and teams,
on bad roads. of the most, if not the most,
serious of the extravagances of the present times
A much used bad road, is of the highest
priced luxuries. The enjoyment of it costs much |
precious tlne-dcstroys horses without number
consumes extra quantities Of wood and iron, in
wagons and other vehicles, as security against
breakage. The luxury of the bad road enters
into the price of communicative eat it, drink
1t, and wear il.
Every pound of butter, each peck of potatoes,
is charged with a few cents for the bad road. The
wagon-horse has his extra peck Of oats on account
of the bad roads, besides an extra price, the ex-
ira rubbing down; TO say nothing of tho extra
draughts upon the pump take off the mud.
The bad road is the father of expensive extras.
The farmer must have his extra span to 90 to
markct-eXtra vehicles of greater strength for
bad roads-extra stages at extra prices-extra
ostlers--cxtra boot-blacks- extra taverns ano
tavern bills--extra teams and extra teamsters-
extra prices for all things. The bad road Carries
upon It's face more extras than any merchant
talior's bill of the most fashionable cut. The had
road IS almost the only bad thing bv which nobo-
dy gains. 1t is a general loss and vexation to all
Bad tempers made worse, and good ones spoil
| ed, by the of it.
What is every body's business no one can be
expected to attend to, unless it is something to
acquire tame, or notorIety. 1t is an old, trte
subject, loaded down and worn threadbare by for
ing-in-the- mud-pry -out-w it'll a-rai system. Men
can be tound-and women too-who will go their
death for abolition for Mormonism, or any other
/ ism, especially if likely 10 make trouble to Their
people and fame for themselves. Almost every
man, woman, and child, in Ohio is, or can be
made, an enthusiast in something rersns some
thing else. But IN the matter Of common roads,
bless US. there IS no opposition, no body to be put
down-all agree in wanting good roads, and the
are sure to remain bad. What public could
be expected to take hold Of such subject, He
j would lose caste with all parties-his influence
would be gone.
There are, i, is true, zealots for turnpikes, be-
cause they 'monopolies,r because they
are for local interest, etc. But zealot for hav-
ing good common roads all over Ohio, las the re-
suit of general energetic system of road making
TO reach every township in the State is an iad
vidual probably not to be found. 1t would be en-
trely safe TO offer large reward for such mem
Der of the Legislature to show himself and prov
his claim to zeal on this useful subject.
general energetic system of common road
, making, to reach every township Of Ohio, under
the direction of men chosen by the people of each
township, is the thing proposed, with ample ts xa
ton to support Let the present nonentitiss il
the shape of commissioners supervisors, trustee.
J etc, be swept away. and Road Engineer be 9
lected IN each township, who shall make the carr
and improvement of the roads his business; an,
let HIM be provided with ample means, and be re
. sponsibie Tor due diiigence. Ii q proper system
is once adopted, there can be reasonable doub
: but it will work well, and our common roads grad
ualy become good. The clumsy machinery of,
board of Commissioners should be dispensed with
e and the duty and responsibility should rest upo
the Engineer. If he does not perform well, tn
! people will mark and dismiss him. and elect az
other. Not so board Of Commissioners; the
$ may waste money with iu,punity. Very mode,
+ ate qualifications, and. of course, moderate pay
Il will answer every useful purpose for the Towr
" snip Engineers. If elected by the people, ever
e voter would feel interest in selecting suit;
l BILE to take charge Of the roads, and in IN,
: cases. doubt, the selection would be iudciou
> Should the road be million Of dollars
year, VIVA, loss would it be the entire State
; any farmer in the State, when the expenditure
l. at home among ourselves. A farm taxed to NAL
Or road on its front, is greatly benefited, if thu
d improvement Is continued, at the expense Of OF
- er farms, on 10 a market, etc.
sr How cheerfulIy would each good citizen agfs
y to pay for few rods Of road, il every 9th
ct throughout the State compelled TO do the lik
De A good general system brings the matter to th
equal beneficial point. Property is heavily tax
ID to make the improvements-the money com
n o the property, but goes into the pockets Of Il
.. peopIe-she working peopls-nos dollar goes o
ls- OF the State. Every mans farm il brought net
&c er TO maraet-i,s value enhanced.