The Baltimore County union., 1868-03-07

aud argument. There was relief demanded
authority to make better our highways. or
course differences Of opinion arose as 10 the bes,
plan to bring about the desired reform. Many
eiIizeus honestly advocated Disiric, system
Others as honestly though, n county system the
best. At last all differences were settled by the
appointment ol . committee 10 draw up a bill
aud present il 10 10 the Legislature, aud such n
bill, cmoody ing the essential features Of both the
district and county systems, was prepared, pre-
senlcd 10 our delegates In the General Assembly,
and by them reported, at least in the Senate,
and everything was progressing finely, inducing
our citizens 10 believe that we would, indeed,
soon have a road system We had some right
smart mrn interested in this movement, Of whom
We may instance Hon. John welhvred, an cx-
member Of Congress VIM. r. Preston, Esq,
than whom, as u lawyer, none in the State
stands higher Levi \. bowen, Esq, a Shrewd,
careful business man, who has enjoyed many
positions of distinction and honor; WIN. 8.
ke,ch. Esq, our States Attorney all our del
egaics to the Geneml Assembly, &c None Of
ihesc noiwiihs hs,anding that most Of them had
made the law their life study, doubted or ques-
toned the power OF the Legislature to give US n
laS. mandatory IN iis character, whereby our
roads nigh, be Improved. To scovcr the fact
that ihr Legislature could not pass such an act
was lett 10 an Anne Arundel county doctor. -
This gentleman a member Of the Senate, n few
says ago, from The committee on internal i'm
pfovemenis, reported that the county commits
sionefs, under existing laws had full power TO
build roads and bridges. levy money to pay for
them, Ae. aud therefore came To the conclusion
That the power. conferred by existing laws are
quite sufficient tor M the probable necessities
"0i any of the counties and consequently,
" that no further legislation is exPedieni or nec-
"es,ary.' So, possibly. dies our road law
The Legislature, because thereby it, members
will be relieved from some responsibility, will
take the opinion of this modern Solon ~ "just
So the thing and will leave US to gropc our way
through bad roads for an indefinite period -
when llr. licnke was examining into this sub
ieei did !, strike him Da Me i'rorisioas e1 The
geHerai igr h. quotes ,r,,iy I'D noi apply 10
Bsl',pnr- c.nniV, btcaa,,, ~ ne matter ef roads,
rc 6n ne'r ac',sy andsr . local lac Such H. the
fact whether the Doctor examined IL or not, and
because of Il We feel ih,; the Doctors theory OF
''the powers conferred by existing laws falls TO
the ground. The public general law VI the
State PresCribes ser,ain general principles which
must BE- adhered to in opening or altering roads.
aud al local Laws should conform TO this Nearly
all the counties have local laws now, as different
In detail and requirement as well eau be- For
instance, local law was passed last Winter re-
quiring every man ia Somerset aud other coun-
ties on the Eastern Shore 10 work two DAYS on
the public roads or 20 furnish a substitute in
Anne Arundel every free negro is required TO
give two days labor each on the public roads
several count,, provide for fnger-boards At
CROSSROADS o,h,fs r,quiie their citizens to fur
nIsh stated ugmh,r uf teams aud carts and
hands "a some oouniic. tie citizens are author
ized % keep gate. on the public Foads--iu others
this issificily forbidden 10 short the systems OF
the several couniie- ;. just as dssimilar ~ wei.
can be. a. ihcy ARE al. working under local laws.
ihe yaiihiiy ofwhich has never before been quss-
,ioaed Il seems strange, too that, as Dr. lieu.
kle be.i'Vr- ilai the county commissioners have
all powers ~ ile premiss. he should have a bill
now before the legislature 70 provide u system
for Anne Arundel county, as We hear is actually
the cisc
We AZ" afraid that The difficulty ia the way o.
the prompt passage OF our road law is not a legal
one, but that our delegates are not willing TO take
the responsibility OF its passage. Gentlemen,
you need have no fears The interest already
taken upon this subject ought 10 assure you that
the J,oti, nIc ia favor Of improved roads, and
that they viii mark that man as a faithless
public servant who fails 10 support their plainly
| expressed wish ou the subject. We have moi,
| heard OF any serious objections 10 the bill II
any part Of L. not suited to the wants Of the
people, let that part be altered but don let the
present session Of the Legislature 20 By without
som" change being made in ourfoad law, as any
| change must be for the better We believe our
county commissioners do the bes; they eau un.
der the powers they now have; give them more,
II the bill prepared by the Committee l. not
liked, and we doubt not that the commissioners
;henlselves will gladly, with increased powers.
see that We have better roads. II nothing better
can b. iono, let all our local laws upon the sub.
j,ct Of roads be repealed, aud let our county
commits ssionefs be required 10 work under the
general law upon the subject We believe ihA,
this would he TAT preferable TO the plan We are
pursuing aow of wasting money on the public
roads.
Since the above was in type, have been
handed a notice, which is published in our ad.
ver,ising columns, calling meeting Of the road
commi'ite ~ the Court House on Monday neI,.
We understand the ob,eo, Of the meeting is to take
steps to urge the Legislature TO pas The bill 10
relation 10 our county roads We hope tina,
every member of,he committee may find /, con.
veniea; 10 attend