The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1870-03-11
MARYLAND COUNTRY ROADS.

The P.s..ssa, GenAesnnn publishes hefnllnw-
ing
We take pleasure in laying before our rea-
ders the following well-timed and sensible
suggestions, relative to the present deplora-
BILE condition of the country roads in Mary
land. In many parts of the State-particu.
larly in the interior portions of the southern
counties of both shores not aided by rail or
water munication-business in the Win
ter season is almost entirely suspended on
account of the miserable condition generally
ol The roads. We sincerely trust that the
entire Press of the State will take hold of this
matter in earnest; and especially do we
Call upon our State representatives at Anna
polls to bring it at once before the Legislature
1t is subject of the gravest importance to
the STRENGTHENING alike the pecuniary in
terests of all. Our columns are open for dis
cussion on the subject. Let us hear from
the people. Below we give the article in
question, clipped from the Baltimore Enter
prise:
SUGGESTIONS UPON THE SUBJECT OF CoUN-
TRY ROADS IN MARYLAND.
The peculiar location of Maryland renders
our State very desirable for almost every de-
scription of agricultural and manufacturing
"
mers in Pennsylvania, New JERSEY, New
York and further east, to settle among us,
particularly for Trucking, Fruit Raising
Dat1ying, dc.
There is also II growing desire upon the
part ola large number Of persons in the
cities of Baltimore and Washington to seek
localities convenient to the railroads, and
who do not care about a distance of several
miles to drive, when good road ways are at
tainable; but the almost universal bad con-
dition of our country roads, and in many To-
calities obstructed by gates, places us in the
position of almost isolation.
The suggestions and projects for improv-
ing our country roads are very numerous,
and yet nothing practical appears to result.
We are cleft in the mud' while the subject
appears to be "the business of everybody"
consequently nothing is done.
In this dilemma it would seem fitting for
the State to move forward and contribute
her credit and aid to thorough construction
| of all intersecting and lateral roads connect
ing with the highways, rail or turnpike, or
nayigable waters.
To do this effectualy, the State, having
contributed to railroads and canals, there
should be no objection to issuing bonds to
be applied to this specific purpose maturing
at such period as would not only allow
time for the work to be completed, but rea-
sonable period for the lands to enhance in
value AS there can be no doubt, compare
lively few years would add largely to our
population and capital, and the basis of taxa
ton so increased as to pay the entire debt.
A small toll might be collected from per-
sons using the road, sufficient to pay the in
terest on the construction bonds and to keep
the roads in order.
A DeDdrtlraent doubtless slould he orpon
lied at Annapolis or Baltimore, with an
Engineer and Surveyor of known ability at
the head, with power to select his assistants
III the several counties, all of whom should
thoroughly locate at proper distances for
general utstity, system of roads and high
ways, establishing their width and mode of
construction, governed by the character of
material through which they may pass.
The contracts, the whole or in parts, to be
given to men of responsibility and skill, with
the understanding that no compensation is
to be advanced OF given until the Chief or
Supervisory Board" shall examine and re-
port the work properly and faithfully done.
After which the Treasurer of the State shall
issue to such contractors "the Road Script
Bonds of the State of Maryland" which will
pass as current as greenbacks.
These suggestions, hastily thrown togeth-
er, will of course require proper and careful
consideration-but there can be no doubt
Such lao once upon our Statute Books
would be made known by enterprising Land
Agents throughout the Eastern States, when
an active demand would spring up for our
surplus acres; and by the time the work is
completed the glorious Old State would be-
come vast COMMUNICATING with high
civilization and every interest prospecting.