Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-12-01
Country Roads.

At this season of the year when nearly
all the roads are in bad condition, il i
well for all concerned to consider how tC
make them permanently better. On this
subject the Elgin CIll.) WGtchmdH makes
some capital suggestions which We com.
mend to our rural friends:
Good roads are an evidence of civiliZa.
ton. As the old Romans progressed in
national pride, age, prowess and educa'
ton, and as their empire extended its
limits over the area Of Europe, it became
necessary to have ready means of com.
municatiOn. Steam was then a laten
force, the vehicles were OF a rude and
clumsy description and the manner Oi
travel demanded smooth and well graded
paths. To facilitate the movement o.
armies was the principal object, it may be
in the construction of the magnificent
roads built by orders of the Roman En-
perors, which to-day are yet in use in
Europe, and later civilizations has reaped
the benefits as well.
Almost every European Government
has built excellent roads and great lines
of travel, and the money so expended has
been returned an hundred fold.
Our own Government, in an early day,
also turned its attention to building high
ways, and the National Road through
Maryland and over the Alleghanies is
now one OF the finest in the world. The
Eastern States are more or less paying
attention to the construction of country
roads. The necessity for this improve
ment exists in this country to-day.
1t is customary every year to call out
citizens and have them devote so many
DAYS to fixing" the roads. We ask in
all sincerity, are the roads materially
benefited by such spaSmOdic efforts, un-
dertaken generally at 4 season of the year
when, by the action of nature such work
is of the least value. To simply plow
and scrape up into the centre of a road
way, without adding anything calculated
for permanency, is but waste OF time
and money. No scientific or practical
arrangements are made to effect or facill-
tate drainage, the great object to be at
tanned, and the only desire seems to be
TO put in so many days and comply with
the law.
If time and labor, as compared with OBJ
jects attained, is computed, the present
manner of working roads results IN
dead loss. Every pathmaster has his
notion. That word expresses 1t exactly
There is no plan for permanency inyolN-
ed at all. If Tom, Dick, or Harry wants
the work done one way, it is so done, the
next annual election puts in new man
and he changes or leaves uneompleted
the plan OF his predecessor, and as a con
sequence, no system is followed, no sub
stantial good is accomplished. and the
roads are horrible seven months in the
year.
How to effect change for the better il
the question: Let us suggest one plan
Let this township vote tax for roac
purposes, to be raised in money. EN-
nIov n uractical engineer or surveyor fol
a few DAYS to establish the grade on somf
principal town road, with reference C
the drainage, etc; then employ some re-
liable man with his team, paying him
good wages, who will work upon plan
carefully considered and well under
stood, until the requirements of the road
are completed. Let the work be done
right if il takes 4 year. Have every wei
place well drained and gravelod, every
hole filled, every hill properly smoothed
stones taken up, culverts cleared out, ano
bitches kept in condition, and IN snorl
time those who use that road Will set
good results. Let the system, as rapidly
as possible, be adopted on every road,
and in a few years we shall have good
highways. Tho existence of such would
raise the price of land more than enough
to paw ali the expenses, and we belieyt
the experience of one year would so con
vince all parties of its utility that they
would insist upon larger expenditure
each year until the work was thoroughly
done, and then the annual expense o.
keeping in repair would be light in
deed.
Judieious expenditure will obviate, ii
a great measure, this almost continual
nuisance of horrible roads in town and
county.