Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1854-10-26
For the Port Tobacco Times.
October "a, 1854.

public attention is attracted TO the public
roads and county charges by your cores
pondents. Permit me to sugges, that the
charges Of negligence in the repair Of the
roads are too general, involving those who
have, end are tying faithfully TO perform
their duty with the grossly negleclful, end
placing the Commissioners of the Tax in
the unpleasant and awkward predicament
Of inactivity for the want Of specific nfor-
nation, while called on to apply remedies
confided TO ,hem-thus suffering in public
estimation. If'here be gross negligence, let
it be specified; then the Commissioners af-
ter fair hearing of both sides, can and
ought to act efficiently. think the COM
plant of extravagant salaries TO the Super
visors is not Justly made at this time, when
very large amount of skill, attention and
labor TO put the roads in good order exists,
The consequence Of years of neglect under
the former system. The Commissioners in
fixing the present salaries doubllessIy inlen-
'ded to cooperate with the wishes of The
people and the Legislature in requiring and
fairly paying for extraordinary attention and
labor in better repairing the roads under the
new road law. When The roads are got in
good order less labor will be required, and
suppose less salaries will be given. A. pres
en-, ] really do no. think them too high, or
q fair compensation for faithful perform.
ance of the duties required. Nor do think
the cost Of labor too high, as fixed by the
Commissioners. This labor is furnished
generally by tax payers, and although the
gross amour, Of taxes is increased, yet the
particular credits due to each for this very
labor reduces the amour, each pays TO The
former rate. A large expenditure of labor
for few years, skiIIfully applied, would, in
my judgment, be true economy. There is
certainly great defect of skill in repairing
The roads, but this, by strict attention, we
may reasonably hope for in time. There
is too, ] have observed, no. sufficient alien
ton paid to the quality or capabiily of the
hands received on the roads. The Super
visors should be more particular, not only
as to The working time, but of the ability OF
hands, fitness Of tools, &C., SO as 10 get for
The rs cents fair days work.
As Mr.. Dent, one of the Supervisors, has
been mentioned with approba.ion-aud J
am mol dlsnose6 10 deIraci from his alledaed
merlts-I remark for his consideration thai
The roads over the hills on the stage route
from Port Tobacco 10 GIymont, are so mar
row as to prevent the stage passing car. or
csrriage,-so crooked that you are unable
10 see from top 10 bottom, and thus travel
ers are incommoded end endangered. This
! hope will be remedied. ] think too the
causeway between Mr.. Fergusson's lots,
near Por. Tobacco, is too narrow, end
might and ought to have been made wider.
Indeed, while Mr.. Dent and his deputies
have no doub, done well, they may ye. do
better, and they have good deal to do.
The Commissioners Of the Tax may, BY
having deductions for work on the roads
and other allowances made, so as to show
The real amount of taxes to be collected
save, in commissions, Sc, something and
facilitate COLLECTIONS. They may and really
ough. to reduce-nay, strike out, the large
amount "for contingencies" as shown in
their published expose of taxes. Contin-
gencies may or may not happen, and sutli-
is the day for the evil thereof. Besides,
contingencies" "sundries," "extras," and
all those sort of charges, puts me in mind
of The worthy Scotch me'chan., who, when
told of leakage, drainage, shrinksge, &C.,
good humoreJly repIed-"Gude God, add
sleslsge too, mon, and ye need say no
more" A TAX PAYER.