Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1872-11-30

more enterprising sister State. They
emigrated NOT in a restless spirit for the
sake of change, but with the expecta-
ton of finding advantages or means of
acquiring wealth which they had not at
home. How much of the wealth and
enterprise OF the great West has been
contributed by the intelligence, energy
and resources of former citizens of this
State would be difficult problem to
solve. 1t is the province of the present
geneneratioR to endeavor to revise the
old order of things-to retain our own
population and..wealth, and to turn the
tide of emigrationj from other places
toward u.s. We must either keep peace
with, the improvement and progress
made by our neighbors, or content our
selves with occupying relatively or in
ferior position, notwithstanding we have
equal or greater natural resources.
What do our rich lands, heavy forests
and inexhaustibleaa coal deposits avail,
if the lands must remain uncnltivated,
the forests in their primitive state, and
the coal deposits untouched simply for
the want of a market for their products ?
Markets, however, are not to be found
at every mans door, and less facilities
are afforded for reaching them, practi-
cally the effect is the same as if we had
none of these resources. The Stale can
not engage in the wo:k..of internal i'm
provement, for she has not the means Of
doing so,and the disastrous experiments
of other States ought to deter her from
undertaking them. Private enterprise,
however, has constructed two lines OF
railway through the State, both OF which
will become leading throughfares OF the
country; ard it is earnestly hoped that
another line running north and south
through the State will also be built
within short time, Railways do not
create wealth, but they stimulate the
production of all articles which the
country is capable of producing through
which the pass, by affording certain,
cheap and rapid transportation to points
where there is a demand for them at
remunerative prices. Thus strong
incentive is offered for constant labor to
all who desire to improve their condl-
ton in life, active business springs up,
and wealth gradual accumulales. But
the beuciits of these railroads are gteat-
" circumscribed or limited, unless there
are good roads leading to them from
surrounding country. In sections re-
mote from these railroads the necessity
for good roads is even greater than Ill
those living near them. And it will
generally be found that the develope-
ment Of district of country goes steadl-
" on with the improvement OF its public
roads. The fact that we are not able
to our public highways in complete or
der at once, ought not TO deter us from
the effort to improve them gradually
I, therefore, invite your special atlen-
ton to the law concerning roads, with
the view of securing, ifpossble, greater
efficiency in this branch Of the public
service. If the present law were strict
" enforced great good would result
therefrom. As the labor Is compulsory
roads, from more kindness OF heart, eX-
act as little labor as possible from their
neighbors and friends, and if one should
require more labor than another, he per-
haps subjects himself to the charge OF
officious or petty tyranny. The result
is, a too great relaxation OF the demands
of the law, and apparent negligence OH
the part of the surveyors.
On the other hand, if surveyor ne
elects his duties, the only penalty Is an
Indictment and possible fine; but his
neighbors are unwilling from good feel
ING. to enforce the penalty by going
voluntarily before grand jury to pro
cure an indictment against INN. lie
quire these surveyors annually to re
port to the county court TIE amount OF
labor performed on, and the condition
and wants of their roads, with authority
in this court to procure indictments
against surveyors who have been dere-
lict in duty, and there will be far less
complaint about bad roads in the future.
The county court appoints the surveyors
of roads, and it should see 20 itthat they
do their duty. Under this system, sur
veyors twould feel far less hesitation IN
demanding frontal citizens the amount
of labor required by law and the people
would cheerfully respondtoth the demand;
for no people in the world yield more
ready obedince to law founded on justice
and equality than the people of this State,
As a general rule each county has
one ortwo main roads,or thoroughtares
which are used by nearly all the people
These roads are not established so much
for the convenience of the people living
near them, as to give an outlet to some
point in adjoining, or perhaps remote
county. From necessity they pass
through sparsely settled districts and
over rugged, uninhabited mountains,
and therefore where the most labor Is
REQUIRED, there are to be found the few
est persons to perform the labor, Should
it be your pleasure to retain the present
provisions of the law authorizing the
ievying of taxes for road purpose, does
it not seem but just to require them to
be appropriated mainiy;to the improve
ment of these main roads l am aware
that | address myself TO gentlemenmore
familiar with the workings OF the road
system than myself; | have therefore re
Trained from making specific recommen-
dations, but have contented myself with
few suggestions, with the hope that
they NAV call for reelection and discuss