Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-02-27
Stanntort Spettatur.
Tuesday, February 81, 1872.
Our Public Roads.

Our Public Roads.
The time seems to have arrived when it be-
hooves the people of Augusta, and of our sis
ter Rockbridge, to adopt some efficient meas
ures for the improvement of their public high
ways. Recent Tevents have rendered it ex-
tremey doubtful whether the Valley Railroad,
from Harrisonburg to Salem, will be built-at
least for some years to come. We think that
the gap between Harrisonburg and Staunton
will be filled up during the present year, or ear
ly next year. But we fear the line of Railway
through the Valley will halt for some years to
come. This will leave the Southern and South
western portions of our County, and the nor
them half of Rockbridge, without any conve-
nient means of access to the active market
which our town affords for all their productions.
AS we are too poor, with our own means, to
build Railroad to Lexington, the enquiry nat
urally presents itself, "What is the next best
thing we can do ?"
In answer to this enquiry, we have no hesita-
ton in saying that the best possible substitute
for Railroad is well graded McAdam road.
The people of the lower Valley fully under
stand the advantages Of this kind of road
At all seasons Of the year, stage coaches run
from Staunton to Harrisonburg in from four to
five hours, and when there is active competi-
ton in three and half hours. Heavily la
den wagons also pass, with reasonable speed,
over the road, between these points, without
regard to weather which renders the common
country roads almost impossible. Two horses
will draw heavier load between Staunton and
Harrisonburg, than four can between Staunton
and Lexington. ea - sa3
If we had good McAdam road from Staun-
ton to Lexington, mail coaches could readily
run from one town to the other in six hours,
and team of six horses could draw load of
from 40 to SO barrels of flour without serious
inconvenience The people of Staunton have
not yet forgotten the mammoth wagons and
teams, which, in former days, piled regularly
between Winchester and Staunton. hauling
10000 pounds at load. The freights on these
charged by the Railroad companies. The wag-
ons were made very strong, with broad tire, and
passed over the road for half tolls.
We believe, if the Valley McAdam road
were extended from Stanton to Lexington and
such line of wagons put upon it, freight
could be conveyed from one town to the other
almost as cheaply as by Railroad. And the
difference in regard to the transportation Of
passengers would only be few hours of time.
Is this scheme practicable? We think it is.
The present turnpike from Staunton to Lex
inxton is, in the main, well graded and the
right Of way acquired, and it will be borne in
mind that grading and land damages are the
most expensive items in road-making As a
general rule, the cost Of grading and damages
is about two-thirds Of the expense of building
a road. All that is necessary, therefore, is to
metal this road, which is already located and
graded. The material lies alongside of the
road. and can be readily procured. A compe-
tent engineer estimates the cost of metalling
a roadway, ten feet wide, (leaving two side
or Summer roads of ten feet-one on each side
of the metalled track, at $500 per mile. But
we would prefer making wider and more
permanent track-say of Is feet wide. This
would probably cost 1000 per mile, or $50, 900
for the whole road. About half of this road
lies in Augusta and the residue in Rockbridge
If, then, the two Counties were to unite In
building the road the cost to each would be
$4,000.
Would not the advantages of such means
of INSTRUMENTATION be cheapy purchased
at such small outlay of money? IF Stanton
conld afford to give $I5O,OO0 for the construc-
ton of Railroad, could she not afford to ez-
pend nine or ten thousand dollars for such an
avenue to her market? If Rockbridge and
Lexington thoughtit judicious to burthen them
selves with debt of $685., 900 to secure a
Railroad which would not pass nearer than six
miles to her County seat, could she not afford
to pay less than one-twentieth part of that
amount for a road that, for all practical purpc-
ses, would be almost as useful?
And would not the good old County of Au-
gusta willingly contribute her just proportion
of an expenditure, SO necessary for the conve-
nience of large portion of her citizens, and so
fraught with benefits to all
We respectfully urge the citizens of Stanton
and Lexington to take this matter into serious
consideration There is wisdom In the OLD
maxim, 'Half loaf is better than no bread. y
If Railroad be for the present unattainable
let us do the next best thing that is within the
limit of our means.
The people, Of Augusta who have a Rail.
road passing through their County, know that
while it is in many respects great convent
ence. it is not the unmixed blessing that some
persons suppose. Railroads are monopolies.-
The managers of them look more to their OWE
interests than to the accommodation of the
public. They are, too, as our people know
arbitrary in their conduct, and often extortion
ate in their charges. These were the evils thai
rendered our people so anxious to. have thu
Valley Railroad, to ensure competition will
the G. & o. R. R., and thereby secure mode
rate fares aud freights.
IF Rockbridge had succeeded 10 getting tb.
Valley Railroad, as there would have been blu
a single line with no competition, she would
have been apt to find the charges onerou
and oppressive. On McAdam roads. there
can be no monopoly. All persons, and al
kinds of vehicles, can pass over them-not once
day, but at such times as may suit the tray
eller.
What say the people of Augusta and Rock
bridge, and the citizens Of Staunton and Leg