The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1868-12-24
For the Lancaster Gazette.
Turnpikes.
| MIR. EDITOR :

good roads more than tho county
of Fairfield; and it rnight be added,
no county is more able to build
them and has a greater amount OF
the necessary material used for
their construction. A commend.
ablo spirit has been shown by
many of our citizens who reside
along somc of our thoroughfares,
by building pixies, thus securing
good roads during all seasons OF
the year.
My attention was called TO this
subject by observing tho movement
which is being made to have a pike
built on the Newark road, from
Lancaster, through Plcasantville
and New Salem to the Licking
county line. Under existing laws
real estate lying within two miles,
on either sidO of the road, will be
taxed for its construction, in pro.
portion to the benefit the pike wtLbe
TO said lands. Perhaps no law can
be passed which will bo more just
in its provisions.
There is, however, some opposi.
ition 10 building this pike, because
it will cost good doal of money
TO construct it. There never will
be timo when there will be no
opposition 10 q public improve.
ment, however necessary and ben
cficial it may be, which costs mon.
ey to make it.
Tho only sensible view to take
by persons directly interested in
this proposed Improvement is, to
inquire, first, is it necessary? sec
ondly, what will be its cost? and,
lastly, what will be its advantage
and benefit?
First, then, as to its necessity
There is nea:ly or quito as much
travel on the Newark road as on
any other road leading TO Lancas-
ter. 1t runs through one of the
richest and most populous portions
Of the county. Docs this road
get bad at any time? Yes, during
nearly ono half of the year; and
sometimes it is the next thing TO
impossible to travel on it, or drive
a wagon, or buggy, or ride on horse.
back, or 60 on foot, with any pleas
urc. 1t may be truly stated, that
the time lost, the wear and tear of
vehicles and over working of
horses in consequence OF the frc-
quently wretched condition in
which this road is found, would,
within the last ten years, more than
have paid for piking the whole
road.
Secondly, its cost-I do not know
what the estimated cost Of piking
this road has been, but believe 9th.
cr roads have been built for elgh.
teen hundred dollars per mile, and
believe from the fact that much OF
this road is now graded and ready
: for gravel 10 be put upon it, that it
might be built Tor half that sum
To have good pike run through
or near your land will increase its
value at least from ono TO three
dollars per acre. For every mile
of pike made four sections, or 95GO
acres of land would be assessed; il
the tax was equally laid 10 cents
on each acre would raise over one
thousand dollars per milo.
!
Thirdly, its benefits and advan.
} tages-Thesc are so great and SO
apparent to all that no arguments
arc required to prove them. Gould
the tired and jaded horso-tho most
noble and useful OF animals-speu
no uncertain sound would be hoard
' in favor of building pixies, not on,
ly on this, but on all other roads
? on which they are required to draw
loads or bear burdens.
t For years tho people of Colum,
I bus mado efforts to have the Mich.
olson pavement laid down On High
' Str, eL The opposition of many o.
D the weaIthiest property holders pre-
vented it being done, until within
eighteen months. 1t cost about
' ninety thousand dollars and was
: made a lien on tho property front
ing on that street. Tho persons
who at first bitterly opposed it, arc
now Ioudest in its praise, So !
predict, that those who oppose the
9 building of the pike from Lancas.
S ter to New Salem, will, after il
. ha, been built and paid fer bo the
= very last ones who would be will
ing to be deprived OF it.
Therefore, as ono who always
j., has been citizen of this county
. and feels both a pride and interest
. in all improvements which are 9
G public benefit, | hope that wis,
n rnhnsela and n lihnrnl enirit AZ IL