The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-03-06


COUNTY RoADs-AaA1s.-We DO not feel like
letting this important subject Of IMPROVED coun-
ty Roads grow cold. There is SO much involved
in it, Immediately affecting the prosp erity Of the
sntire county ard the city Of Stanton, that FREE
quent recurrence to it is demanded, until some
positive steps are taken to commence the work.
Within the post ten days, wehave been Urged by
a number of intelligent gentlemen from distant
portions Of the county, who are large tax payers
to keep the matter before the people, as the most
important improvementtha can pos sibly engage
their attsntion-vasty more SO than the coastruc-
ton Of railroads. We are very sure that Staun-
ton would be as much benefited by improved
roads, as she would be by the construction Of an
other line ofrailrcad. It would be the means Of
concentrating at this point the trade Of this great
county, which would be auficient to build up a
prosperous and wealthy city. The productive ca
pacites Of the lands Of Augusta county are scarce
y one-fourth developed, and there is no one con-
sideration that contributes SO largely to inaeion
in this respect, the impossible condition Of the
roads at certain seasons Of the year. Were the
main thoroughfares leading from Staunton to the
e1tremities Of the county graded and grayeled,
we venture the assertion that there is not farm
that would be touched by them, that would net
IN short time double lis productions, and that
too at really less cost than is now expended. Ev-
cry hours time could then be saved a1d turned
to profit, whereas now one third of the year is
lost for the use Of man and beast by reason Of the
had cnnditian Of tho ca 49, ;oI-
AS an illustration of the time lost, and the wear
and tear OF vehickles and labor Of stock, in con-
sequence Of heavy roads, we will mention q re-
cent occurrence. A gentleman living near Mt.
Meridian sold quantity of lumber in Stanton
to be delivered here. lie hauled as much IS his
team could pull to the Valley pike a distance Of
six miles, unloaded, and went back for another
load. When both loads had been gotten to tho
pike, they were put on the same wagon end bro't
to Staunton with less strain on the horses and va
gon THIN half the lead imposed over The road from
Mt Meridian to Mt. Sidaey. Here was the loss
CT a day for four horses, driver and wagon, and
the wear of harness, sc. That single days work
cost him more than his proportion of the tax,
were the bonds Of the county issued 'or 100000.
And this is not an isolated case Similar insan-
ces frequently OCCUR.
Suppose you have fine farm and desire to sell
it. Ifyou live Of the Valley pike, and the wea-
Their is bad, you will find it difficult matter to
persuade stranger to visit it with view to pur-
chasing. He might be pleased with the farm,
but the roadside can't staud them.
Then, at any season CT the year you are aces
sible to market, if the roads are good. You will
fad hundreds Of articles to sell, which now so to
waste, and you would not have to keep extra
stock to draw your produce ever reads where the
wheels sink to the hubs. The marketable pre-
ducts you could bring to Gtauntoh, and sell fer
cash, that is now p-oftless, would pay sll your
taxes twice over.
We ere satisfied ths psop.s Of the county are
ready FOR this imp-ovenent-aye anxious They
least additional railroads, and are willing TO he
taxed to put the county roads in good condition,
SO as TO be passable at all seasons Of the year
Let so.ne ere move in the matter. VIII he su-
pervisors, in their resp eciva Townships, take the
first step? They nesd not be apprenensiFa Of
failure. Lead Of, and The people VIII be with
you. l. viii be for The besteas CT the people and
tbs y know It, and they viii hac5; you actively
aad cordially. Let ths township meetings be held,
delegates appointed to I county meeting, and then
the various suggestions we hare heard to the
bsst method o. procedure il the matter can he
discussed and determined. Baf, BY al ias&ns,
take the first step,&nd call The ownsp meetings
VIII not john Paris, Supervisor CT Beverly
Manor Township. CAL 1 meeting 70 consider tie
county read question?
VIII ret Henry 3. ssis. i. Psstuees Township,
do the same
VIII net WA 3. Cochran. IN N. h township?
William Crawford. Middle River
j. D. Brooks, South River?
william T. Rush, l2iverheads
Come up to the work, gentlemen Supervisors.
and take the first important step towards carry
ing out the wise suggestion you made on this sub
est Lest December.