The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-10-13

VIII always De lncomparaOly more Valua-
BILE to the community at large. Common
vehicles cannot be used upon railroads
while on other improved roads the same
wagons, horses, and men, employed al
one season in cultivating the ground, can
also be proftably employed in their other.
wise idle moments in conveying the pro.
duce to market. For these reasons, g.
ven if a railroad came to every mans
door, he could more economically use a
good common road; but since on the con-
trary, the expense ofthe construction ol
railroads must always restrict them to i'm
portant lines of communication, in every
other situation the greatest good Of the
greatest number, and the most universal
benefits with the fewest accompanying E.
wills, will be most effectually secured by
improving the peoples highways"-the
roads on which every man may drive his
own vehicle.
The question between stone roads and
plank roads may be easily decided by a
reference to the cost OF ofconstruction. Ma
terials could be obtained for either. In the
matter of grades, what would answer for
one would answer for the other. There is no
difficulty so far as the nature of the coun-
try is concerned, in building either plank
road or a Madam road But in the ex-
pense the difference is great. The lowest
estimate for a Madam road is $4,000 per
mile; while liberal estimate for the other
is $4,000 per mile. And the cost ofrepair
in the former is about three times that in
the latter. At the present time no species
of road is regarded with so much favor as
the plank road, 1t is but about ten years
since they were first introduced into this
continent in Canada; and now they are
multiplying with great rapidity. In the
State of New York many roads have been
built, and the Legislature Of our own State
granted last winter Mirty-sir charterS.-
And in all cases they have fully met the
expectations Of their most sanguine advo-
Gates.
The Committee therefore believing that
plank road combines more advantages
than any other, recommend the adoption
of the following resolutions.
JOHN o. CRAM,
JOHN MILLS,
!. w. ANDREWS,
EPHRAIM GOULD,
WILLIAM STEEL,
J. E. HALL,
G. NJ. WOODBRIDGE.
On motion the report was unanimously |
adopted and the meeting proceeded to the
consideration Of the accompanying reso-
lutions:
Resolved, That the construction of a I
good permanent road from Marietta up the
East fork of Duck Creek, is of the highest
importance to the growth and prosperity
of the region lying between the Ohio and
Muskingum rivers. j
The foregoing resolution was adopted
and without discussion.
Resolved, That Committee of three be
appointed to procure from the Legislature
an act Incorporating company under the
style of the Marietta 4. National Road
Plank Road Company, for the purpose Of
plank road from Marietta
through the valley Of the East fork of Duck
Creek to such point on the National Road
as the company may determine as advis. t
able, with the privilege of making branch
roads.
The adoption of the resolution was adj
vocated by Prof. Andrews, G. NJ. Wood
bridge, Esq, R. E. Hart. Esq, and J. o.
Cram, Esq, of Marietta; Mr. Horton and {
Mr.. Steel of Monroe; Messrs. E. Gould,
|. Alden, d. Gould, and Mr.. Morse of Sa-
lem; and ]. w. L. Brown, of Fearing
and the resolution adopted unanimously
Noah L. Wilson. and A. T. Nye of Mari.
eta, and Wm Steel of Monroe county,
were appointed said committee.
On motion of J. O. Cram, Esq,
Resolved, That committee of nine be
appointed who are hereby authorized to
employ suitable engineer to make pre-
liminary survey of the different routs and
estimates of expense on. each. Also to
receive subscriptions with The understand
ing that the subscriptions shall be credited
as payment on stock subscribed, on the
organization Of a company. |
The motion was unanimously adopted,
md the following gentleman appointed
;aid committee: j. Mills, G. M. Wood
ridge. J. w. L. Brown, S. H. Round, ].
}. Cram, R. Hawkins, E. Gould, w. |.
tray, and Moses L. Spencer.
On motion-ReSolred, That the pro- 6
eedings of this meeting be published in
he Marietta and Woodsfeld papers.
On motion the meeting adjourned.
A. L. NYE, Chairman. I
Moan L. WILsoL, Sec. {