The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1870-11-25
OUR COUNTY ROADS.


Our attention has been called to the fact
that the condition of the public roads in this
county has been of late much improved, and
that what money has been appropriated by
the board of County Commissioners for this
purpose seems to have been judiciously eX-
pended, so that the probabilities are, that du-
ring the coming winter We shall have our
highways in better condition for travel than
for several years past has been the case. No
subject is of more vital Importance, and of
greater general interest to the citizens of the
county, than this and almost every one has
something to say in regard to it, unfortunate
ly most generally in the way of complaint
that is too we'll founded in fact to be gain
said. 1t is, therefore, with the greater pleas
ure that we chronicle the good news that
supervisors and those holding road warrants
from the Commissioners of the county, seem
this year. at least, to have given satisfaction
by the manner in which they have executed
the work intrusted to their care.
A great variety of opinion exists as to the
practical working of the road system in this
county, and hitherto the almost. impossible
condition ofour thoroughfares, at certain sea-
sons of the year, has seemed to justify the
opinion that serious defects have prevailed in
its provisions. We are rather inclined to the
belief that, like most thersystems devised for
the public benefit which require considerable
amount of money to be expended in order to
test their advantages, there has been appro-
pratcd scarcely sufficient amount for the
purpose, and that the amount actually set
apart has oftentimes been expended in man.
der not likely to result in more that tenn
porary improvement If, however, as we
are informed is the fact, we are entering upon
the winter with the public roads in thorough
repair, and it shall result that the improve
ments placed upon them are of character
to render them comfortable for travel during
that season, it will demonstrate the fact,
which is important to be known, that a great
difference may be effected by the manner in
which the public money is thus expended,
irrespective of the amount.
The value of good county roads, kept in
a condition fit for travel at all seasons of the
year, is scarcely to be estimated We contend
that, proportionately to their COST they en-
nance the value of real estate as much or
more than railroads or canals; and that the
neglect to keep them in proper condition re-
suits in an actual loss to the general communi-
ty, in each and every year that they are suf-
fered to remain unrepaired. A stranger COM
ing into particular neighborhood or section
of county, with view to purchase farm,
for instance, is first impressed with the fact
of the good or bad condition, as the case
may be, of the public road by which he is
taken to view the particular property,
and that condition influences him, most fire.
quently to great extent, in his ultimate de-
cision in regard to a purchase. We venture
the assertion that the experience of every
land agent in the State will bear us out in
citing such an example. And tits, of course,
evident to the most casual observation, that
every land owner in the State is loser,
every yeafs if he has not a highway open at
all seasons, by which his produce can be
readily and easily placed in a market, at
such times when the best prices are to be
obtained. One Of the chief advantages We
expect to see realized from the construction
of railroad through the central portion OF
our county, will be the improved condition
Of the highways conducting thereto, from
every neighborhood, as the necessity of con-
venient access to it will most certainly COM
pei this Improvement
These are but few considerations in con-
nection with this important subject, which
will continue to attract public attention.
Meanwhile, and as containing some useful
hints, we publish elsewhere an article from
the Scientific american, to which we direct
the attention of our readers.