The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-06-15
From the Jonesville Independent.
A New Road.

that your columns arc open for any thing
of general Interest to community, especial
ly local matters, we have a few obsorva-
tions to mako in reference to a contempla-
ted road which is somewhat engaging the
public mind at this time. We start with
the premises that all public highways sho'd
be made for the benegt of the public and
the convenience of the traveller. This
road which we would call attention to mt
. this time is on the section limo upon which
the Court House in Hillsdale stands, and
runs due north, passing the east end OF the
College. 1t continues on said section line
for two and half miles and is good
road thus far but here Mt the quarter post
| between sections 10 and i on the centre
| line of Fayetto it comes to n sudden ter
| minaiion. Travellers often in leaving Hills
dale, going to the east part of Scipio or
Moscow, (being directed to 90 North,) find
themselves bewdcred and do not know
whether to turn to the right or to the left.
Now it Is proposed to continue this road
| on section line, TO intcrscct with the Chi
caoo turnpike at what is known as the Van
| hovpnDerr farm, ono ana half miles cast
of Jone Vile, and four and three. quarters
! miles north Of HiIlsdalc. We cannot sec
the reason why our citizens and other trav-
elers on the turnpike and the towns above
! spoken Of wishing to 90 TO Hillsdale to at.
tend court, or any other Legitimate bust
ness, should be compelled in all coming
time to travel at least one and half miles
directly out Of the way, and then find
themselves ono and one fourth of n mile
farther from Hillsdalc than they were at
the point spoken Of This route is now
complete with the exception Of ono and
half miles, which tho friends Of this road
| now ask to be laid out and opened. The
land is al good for road except ono small
marsh. We think for those reasons that
this road would be public benefit and a
general improvement. And it recommends
itself further, because it rs on perfectly
straight line, and that a section line.
II is useless to argue that there are 9th
or roads that will answer tho purpose {;
crooked and circutous routes can never an
wcr the purpose of straight lines. 1t will
| divide no mans improvement save Que,
and that through the centre leaving eighty
acres on each side of the road Many far
mcrs run private lane through their farms
for their own convenience, when they arc
not accommodated with public highway.
The land on the old road eighty rods west,
and running to the Adrian would compcn-
safe in rant for the land in the new road
Tho lino of this old road is disputed be-
inc, as is asserted, made all on orc side Of
the line cf lots, which probably will some
day be prolific source Of litigation if nc {
removed. The new road would damage
but one man in reality (asilc from extra
fcucing, &c.) and that would be hy lcav-
inc his house mt some distance from the
road, all Of which an intelligent jury wo'd
take into consideration. Again, this route
is opposed by but two individuals OR its
linz, and some one has said that The ilsa
one or tho other Of the parties. Now bo
i, known that this same route has been
more or less discussed for the last twelve
ycqrs. Of this there i ample proof. W.
cannot but deplore the state of mind that
gives utlerance to this strange pcrverslor
Of facts. and can but hope for better
state of feeling.
Tho law provides very equitable WAY
Of opcninc new roads if men will only bC
lust and reasonabc for no private proper
~ can be applied to public use without {
= reasonable compensation, or the consent 0
! the owner. Let us then give mp our crook
, cd roads and our blind guides; let u!
s,rairhtcn or highways, mend our way
: generally, 90 on our WAY rejoicing, am
, the traveller who passes through our coun
q try may rejoice also. In conversation VIII
81 7 COLL ~
+ other day about this projected improvement
| he said he was decidedly opposed to it.
. We asked him why. Because said ht
= "it would divert travel and consequent
!. trade from Joncsvile, and also that 10
! going to cost something" Now sureI
.r this was most cmincntly selfish. But "
,. do not believe the majority of orr me
= chants arc of this narrow minded policy
i We do not think they wish to compel the
customers to come in and buy their good
by cndcavorinr TO block up communicate
with other POINTS of trade. We do ne
'S believe they arc men whose powers OF VI
S' ion are obscured 10y the present penny, an
cannot sec the future dollar.
Precarioas indeed must be that merchants hrea,
r. Whose trade depends on such brilliant thread
e: Mol we believe them to be men of hig
S er aims and motives. w believe tho
strive to offer stronger inducements to the
u customers by selling their goods cheap
III and paying a better price for roduce thi
,t, can tc obtained elsewhere. This is the o
lie " legitimate system TO secure trade ar
ny give an impetus 10 our beautiful village
Of. Honorable competition is the life trade
if trade is like water 1t will find its lew
i'll and will flow in tho channels most prop
" ious to prosperity. Perhaps in this m'
chants opinion we had better wall in 0
We town, adopt the Chinese or japanese sen
lie barbarian plan, that our people may n
VS. 90 elsewhere to trade And we do knc
ne Of truth, that frequently people fro
Hillsdale and vicinity come to trade
ost Jonesville. We do not therefore belle
n that our merchants are afraid of an hon
ho able competition. We invite Investigate
TX. into the merits Of this road. We Q
cal nothing but what is just and equitable
to all parties, aud for the accommodation n
convenience Of those who travel our roa
ich If jury Of disnterestcd citizens shall
to eide that it is not proper to continue
n