Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1869-01-21
Roads and Road Work.

The subject of good roads, and in
connection Herewith the whole sys-
tenn of road work, we are glad to
note, is just now receiving more at
tention, both from the people of the
city and the country, than has here
tofore been given to it. We rejoice
that it is so, for it is subject deserv-
ing of consideration, and one, that
needs to be discussed and agitated
until something practical shall grow
out of it. Our present situation, in
regard to roads, is intolerable. And
it is a matter that concerns both
town and country. The town wants
the products of the farm, and the
farmer wants the cash of the town.
But with our present facilities this
exchange is almost impossible. For
the past two weeks, SO impossible
have our roads been, that whatever
our wants were, it has been impossi-
BILE for the farmer to supply them.
Take the article of hay. Its price
is good-the town wants it, and the
farmer has it--but you might as well
attempt to run a plow through fro
zen ground as attempt to haul hay
in the present condition of our roads.
There are dangers attending it that
no one wishes to seek.
Hence the subject needs discus
sion and agitation. But, it needs
more. Talking simply will not build
roads. Standing ON the side walk,
or sitting in our workshops and
counting rooms, or in our farm
houses, and grumbling about the
condition of the roads, will avail
nothing. Work, efficient, practical
work, is what is needed. And first,
if we have no power, as the law now
stands, to make good roads, then we
must ask the Legislature to give us
the power. This can be done by
petition, or by letters addressed to
our member, JOHN LAWSON, ESQ.
The Legislature has shown will
ingness to move in this matter, as is
proven by the large number of bills
already introduced, but it would act
much more actively and efficiently,
probably, if it was informed of the
wishes and needs of the people.
What the system shall be-how
the end, good roads, shall be reached
probably, be the most diff
cult question to determine. We
may all be agreed as to the end to
be sought, but we cannot all agree
as to the means of reaching it. We
think the largest number will agree
with us that our present system of
road taxes and road work is a bad
and worthless. If
that is the experience of our law
(and the introduction of so
many new bills looks that way
then wipe it out, and re-enact some
new system that will better subserve
the end in view. We're we called
upon to submit plan, We would
first repeal all existing laws upon the
subject, even to that of the two days |
work, and then place the whole mat
ter of the building and repair of
roads in the hands of the county
the means to be
raised by a county tax. Of course
the details Of such system would
require to be carefully and elabor-
ately considered, to make it effective
and just. Above all things, we
would place in their hands the power
to make turnpike roads, and not
simply mud ones at that, but sub
'tantial, macadamized or gravel
pixies. And we are satisfied, from
with those interested,
hat this latter provision would be
most satisfactory to our people.
The two days work is nuisance,
and the plan of levying taxes to be
in making morter beds for
jeans to wallow through in the win
;er, is greater nuisance. The ex--
'ense attending the supervision and
collection of the former is greater
han the profit it affords. OF the
of the latterit is seen and
elt by every one who is so unfortu-
late as to have to travel our roads
hese days. Let us wipe out and
'egin anew. We cannot make the
mud any deeper than it is just at
resent.
H The West Union s.Defender,"
lemocratic, says that, "during the
var a meaner or more despicable rebel
vas not to be found in all Dixie than
Ten. Longstreet," and that Wade
hampton was the reverse of all this.
Cause why? Gen. Longstreet repent
d of his great wrong to his country,
nd Wade Hampton has not =.
R In every county throughout
he State, the Democrats should take
immediate steps to increase the circula-
ion of their local Democratic papers.
OIso Ofof,o~,~~ ~ . = '~--. f