American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-04-05
Public Roads.

Public Roads.
Mr.. EDITOR We do not know
of any movement that could bo in
augurated just now that would con
duce more to the convenience of the
public than for proper steps to be
taken in improving the public high
ways. The condition of the roads
leading to Canton from all sections
Of the country. have been in mex
cusably execrable order all winter
and are still so, although the reports
of the old oyerseers have been re-
ceived, representing them all right
and since the new ones have been
appointed ample time has elapsed
for a thorough renovation; vel
they are still almost impossible
especially the road from the Travis
place to Canton is now, and has
has been all winter, in condition
that beggars description. All Of
this trouble, which is of a magnitu
dinous character to the public, is
owing to the ineficiency of the
Board of Supervisors. They stand
not only in the same relation to the
county as does the legislature to
the State, as the law-making power
but have, or ought to have, the power
of enforcing its edicts. The whole
road business should be vested in
the Board of Supervisors. If it has
the authority to appoint an overseer,
it ought also to have the power Of
imposing and collecting fines in a
summary manner for all nOn-per-
Torrance of duty. 1t should be the
duty of each Supervisor to travel
over every public road in his beat
at least twice year, and report the
condition of same to the Board for
action, and any neglect of said re-
quirement should be deemed a NAL
feasance in Office, and punishable by
law. They are paid to do their
duty, and should do it. The people
pay for the music. and have right
to expect the dancing to be done.
Hands are not required to work out
one-third of the time prescribed by
law, and the overseer always works
to suit his own convenience. and not
the necessities of the community.
There is not a single road but could
have been kept in ordinarily good
repair during the entire winter.
Mud holes and all the bad places
could have easily been rendered
at all times by only a few
hours work of few hands, a few
brush aud few spadefuls of earth
yet even this pittance was not given
Simply from sheer neglect and a
supreme contempt of law, the poor
lumb brutes have had to wade
knee deep in mud puddles all
winter, and draw heavy burdens.
The trade of Canton is not only in
ured by such procedure, but the
,eople suffer incomparably great
inconvenience from it, besides often
lines sustain heavy pecuniaIy loss,
f not imminent peril of life and
limb.
Another nuisance imposed up
IN the public which should be
dated, is the practice of farmers
water from hill side
litcbes into the public roads, which
uts and caves them continually,
making unslghtly and dangerous
'ulches OH the sides. Every farmer
hould be legally compelled to carry
III the water from his farm into the
natural drains leading from his
PREMISES. He can easily do this,
nd when they cross the road, no
arm will result that cannot be |
provided for with little trouble. |
he small bridges are another
oqrce of great neglect on the part
overseers they are permitted to
tand, no matter how dangerous,
s long as possible, when a few
oles, corn stalks and dirt, hastily
rought together, constitutes the
uman trap. Much might be said
l regard to Ornamenting the high
-ays and of planting shade trees
IT comfort; but if we have only
rebuke enough to re-
'ove the tOrpidity in which this
inject has long existed, and sue
led in securing the essential
we will content our
lives. and ignore tho fanciful for
le present. PROGRESS. y