The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1874-02-27
TIE K'GZS.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9th, 1874.
CORRESPONDENCE.
- ---------- ------------------
For The -EgiS d Mtc'iigemcer
The Road Question.
CHROME HILL, Feb 23d, Is;

CHROME HILL, Feb 23a, 1874.
Mr. EDITOR: lfyou will allow me space in
your valuable paper for comment on W. S. F's
and January's Public Road Communications,
will cndeavor to kecpup the controversy. After
reading their communications made up my
mind that they are of opinion that our county
officers are non responsible parties or at least
not made of road material | contend they are
For Illustration, take bridge on the public
road. Time or other cause makes hole su1ll-
cient for n horse to get his foot in. You notify
the officer in charge of the fact; he negleets to
repair You or your ncighbor in crossing get
your horse in it and his leg broken. The coun-
ty or officer in charge is responsible for the dam
aye. They complain OF our road system. Now,
Mr.. Editor, if he would complain to and of his
neighbor, who is his road supervisor think his
abuse would be better centred, for he alone Is
lie ponsible; for our law says the roads must be
kept ina passable condition by the county agent.
This was the decision of Judge Stump long ago.
CIV. S. +. will say there is no pay for it, Now,
Mr.. Editor, our system ofpay is this: Our Com
missioners levy tax in June, estimated by them
to he sufficient for road expenses for one year.
They appoint officers (of supposed ability) to
take charge of this fund, and mend the roads, by
contract or otherwise, as his own Judgment
or that of his ncighbor may dictate. He or his
agent becomes responsible to the travelling com
munity for one year. According to commission
l have before me, which has on its face these
words: "Your commission ommences the first
of May, 1878, and ends first of May, 1874" If
that means anything, it is that you, as sub.su-
pervisor, are lawfully bound to remove all OBJ
structions that may impede the travel of your
ROAD Tor one year, under all reasonable clrcum-
stances. You are requested TO work your road
between certain dates, for the amount specified
In your warrant. That is right, and the allow
ahce Is right, for it is the amount in hand or
treasury, according to the levy for that time;
pe. II u falls short, you to notify the officers
vi OIL ahe TACT. They are bound by law to furnish
NC money required; for Judge Grason, in his
charse TO the Grand Jury short time since, said
mat inc roads must be repaired, and ifthc Com
miissioners tailed to cancel your account, to ap
pty " me Courts and the pay would be granted
win legal interest
Now, MIR. January, in travelling over our
ootnty, we can generally tell where there is an
cn.e5rprising spirit in the neghborhood, by the
tonui. ,iS Oh the roads; and think the collec-
81, VIII pear me out in saying that where he
mus mus good supervisors and good roads, he has
ILus. trouble i'll making his collections. As for
January seraper, | have had one in charge for
= number OF years. find it of little value UNI
Iess l want to move the dirt lengthwise of the
io"u, sucn as grading nils; and as for the wages,
.heY must suit the influence brought TO bear in
Tue vicinity where the work is done. If fifty
eehls won, pay for u days work, it is the super
Nlsor's duty TO find ont what will; for in my
opinion, he is more derelct in duty who pays
,ne specihed amount TO hand when he can get
MN Tor less, than to pay more than specified in
emergencies.
Now, Mr.. Editor, as this communication is
long enough for the present, will stop, after
asking you to publish section in the act rea-
Ting 10 road supervisors, TO be found in our COM
mon road law; for think the most of our roads
are managed more by custom than law {; for in
stance, the water breaks, that | travelled over
ioriy years ago, (perhaps made u hundred are
still across the road, with hill on either side,
resembling the candle snufler boat of old for
shape, and which ough; TO have been dispensed
with about the same period.
Wishing to benefit the noble horse as well as
The driver, hid you good speed.
SUPERVISOR.