The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1867-09-20
The Public Roads.
DARLINGTON, Mn, Sept. 0, 1867

EDITOR Ee1s You are entitled to tho thanks
of this community for drawing the attention of the a-
thoritcS to the wretched condition of the public roads in
your issue OF the 9Th inst.
1t is truo that the roads in worse condition since
the late heavy rains than usual but the roads in Dublin
DISTRICT which, believe are more neglected Than those
in any other part of the county, are diIUdyS bad
The road from Stafford TO Dublin, which is travelled al
most as much as any other road in the county, in
very bad state.
Several years ago, perhaps this road was put in
very good order by private contributions and by assist
ance from the county. 1t was then proposed by man
uy competent to fulfill the contract keep the lower
halt OF the road in the condition it then in provided
the usual allowance of money continued. But the
District road supervisor refused to allow the same amount
winch was previously inadequate for keeping the road
in repair; assuming that the road then good it
would remain 80 without much attention The result
was tiat the gentleman declined taking it the terms
onered but 1t was taken by another the reduced al
owance, and, as was predicted, the road has become
worse anu worse every year. until now is as bad
ana he hVe hundred dollars expended upon il by the
people have been literally thrown away and all through
the oosnacy and incompetency of the road supervisor
Inc road from Darlington to the Trappe Church is in
dangerous condition. 1t has been badly washed by the
rains, and but very slightly repaired This road Is al
ways III rough neglected state, and has been general
subject OF complaint for years.
Tho same remark will apply to tho road leading from
Darlington to The mouth OF Broad Creek. 1t may be said
that this road is habtually in condition than
either Of those named. The first half mile of this road
nearest Darlington, should be changed to different
ground thereby shortening the distance, and avoiding
hills and rocks.
1t is not necessary however, TO specify for all tho roads
in the district are sadly in need of Improvement.
The road through the village of Darlington itself Is
disgrace to the residents and disgrace the county
1t is bad the year roundmud and rocks in winter and
spring, and rocks and excavations in Nothing
but macadamiHinS will answer in Darlington. Every
man in the village should consider himself Individually
foht ey could soon GGns Ct The rS91 and by united
doubt tho county would contribute like amount and
thus allow travellers to pass in comfort through the town
our road system Is Il bad one and is operated in the
worst possible manner.
five complain to the road SUPERVISOR or sub-supcrvi-
sor, of holes in The bridges of dangerous gues or of
loose stones or rocks in the road compacently
answered that the money appropriated has all been ex-
pcndod adding perhaps that the county is considerably
in debt to him already
This is all the satisfaction the public the taxrayers
get They must continue in silence to drag along over
rocks aud through mre, breaking their carriages and
wagons without redress
Now, Mr. Editor, somebody must be responsible; who
str IL Is chiefly perhaps owing 10 defective road
laws; but large portion of the responsibility unoubt-
edly rests with the County Commissioners THE money
appropriated is not sufficient to keep the roads in good
order why do they not levy more? They have the au-
thony, and, if used would be exercised in legitimate
cause-in a cause that everybody is interested in.
II the Commissioners had the right to impose large
tax ON The people, as they did few years ago pay
bounty Of soldiers, contrary 10 the wishes of probably
threeourths of the community they can certainly lew
enough to keep the roads in a respectable condition
without ranscending the limits of their authority and
without mourning any great opposition from the people
We are continually taxed for the roads, and is almost
impossible to where the money goes
Tho allowances are generally meagre, that men who
are qualified to make or repair road will not as
su-supervisors The result is that the contract falls
INTO the hands of individuals who particularly in
erested whether the roads improved and the
money IL scattered along the road without materially I'M
proving any part of il. Then told with self
satsfeda air, that the money is all gone!
The only certain means TO he adopted by which can
secure good roads, is 10 make the supervisor responsible
and make the public responsible for his pay.
There are few of us who the ROADS to any extent
but are obliged to pay from ten to twenty dollars per
anhnm Tor tho repair of carriages and wagons which
injured by bad roads, in addition to the usual wear and
tear.
When persons from Pennsylvania and other States
visit U.S. they wondersrck at the character of our
roads They feel as though they had passed the limits
OF civilization when they enter Hartford county, No
stranger ever here without expressing his surprise
andastonishment at the condition of highways And
to our certain knowledge many parties from abroad who
designed investing their money in county, and settling
among u.s. have been deferred from doing So solely by
the miserable state of the roads.
Are we 10 have any relief
hope this question will be agitated, until law
gvers are awakened TO the necessity of satisfying our
urgent requirements in this particular. f.