Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1874-05-22


worthy OF imitation, let him jump intosone of
those magnificent steamers which ply weekly
| between the new and the old world and cross
over to Queenstown and examine the Baronial
system OF the generous, warm hearted qnick
witted and combatve lrishman. II he is still
not satisfied, let him cross the Bristish Channel
| to the land Of Shakespeare, Milton and Dryden
and examine the Parish system Of Old England,
and if still not satisfied, let him cross from
| Dover TO Calais and view the same system,
under different names, in successful practice in
both France and Germany, aud if still incred-
ulons, he must be given over as past light
and knowledge and hope and argument.
| The law under consideration is very broad !:
| Its words are, after ennumcraiing sundry Off
GERS, ''and all other officers, agents and SER
| wants required for county purposes"
What requirement more necessary and i'm
portant than good county roads, as the com
mittee have already shown.
| It gives to the County Commissioners power
| and authority to inaugurate this beautiful sys-
TEN of local self-government 10 Maryland.
The system must be accepted or rejected and
commenced somewhere, and where better than
in Montgomery. Montgomery county has the
reputation Of being one of the most enighten-
ed entcrprising aud intelligent counties of the
State. Its undulating surface, pure water,
salubrious climate and social habits of its peo-
pie have for many years attracted large num-
bers Of visitors from the cities of Baltimore
and Washington as the place of their summer
resort. Tie completion of the Metropolitan
railroad offers facilities for large annual Access
sion to that class Of visitors. 1t is for us, by
good roads, comfortable dwellings and neat
and well-kept farms, to make the county to
such strangers as attractive as possible, and
thereby attract population and increased
wealth.
Self-interest, the welfare of our children,
the character Of the county and its ad vance
ment in wealth happiness and prosperity, alike,
demand the effort. Let the scheme, then, be
put to the test of trial.
The venerable Ross Winans, of Baltimore,
one of the most practical and intelligent men
in the country, says, that no theory can be
satisfactorily elucidated until being first tried
Experiment is the test and calculation of all
problems" We have for more than a hun
bred years been trying the county system. 1t
has swallowed up thousands Of dollars and
given satisfactory result. 1t is time now TO
try the district system, which, wherever prac-
ticed has proved most beneficial, advantageous
and satisfactory. Townships in New York of
six miles square-36 square miies--have so inn
proved under the system as to be able to SUBJ
scribe Sl00, 900 TO Railroads.
The committee, therefore, conclude by re-
commencing the adoption of the following res
oluton
RESOLVED, AS the sense of this meeting that
the district system for the management, pres
ervation and re pair of the public roads of the
county, is within the meaning OF the Act of
Assembly passed at the last session of the Leg
isature, oh. All, entitled an Act to repeal sec
tons one of Article %, of the Code Of Public
General Laws, title County Commissioners,
and to re-enact the same with amendments =
and the County Commissioners be and they
IN, oh
ton District Of the county board of ten
agents, to be called "District Agents" to
serve without compensation, to whom shall be
RENTED the control, repair and preservation
Of the public roads and bridges, within their
respective districts.
And it shall be the duty of said District
Agents to view and inspect the condition Of
the public roads and bridges within their re-
spective districts, to appoint supervisors for
their repair and preservation, and to report to
the County Commissioners in time for the an
nual levy OF each year, the amount of money
necessary for the repair and preservation of
said public roads and bridges, said amount to
be levied on the districts as recommended and
reported by the said board of District Agents
Resolved, That the same committee wait up
on the County Commissioners and present the
subject matter of the foregoing resolution and
urge its immediate adoption.
w Hlcu WIS Oh IHOllOD Vi JUS. L hOOlej ~
cepted.
Judge Bouic spoke upon our different road
systems and feared The people would not stand
the tax necessary, but advocating the county
taking 20 per cent. of stock in all Turnpike
| companies, making stone road in the county,
considering it economy.
| Mr.. Tschiffely spoke advocating the report
of the committee, asking where the Si700 road
| tax paid by Rockville district could be found
upon the road
Mr. Henderson advocated every man looking
| to the roads near his property, where his self
interest is-he strongly condemned the old
| system, fearing the power behind the throne.
Mr. Gartrell advocated good roads, and ia
vored the New York system and good turn
| pixies.
| Mr.. E. ]. Hall spoke favoring the report of
| the committee, and advocated the resolution
| appointing ten persons in each district as a
| road committee.
Mr. c. Albert spoke favoring the report and
advocating good roads, fearing only the APP
! pontment of ten, district committee, and de-
string only practical men be put thereon, and
| favoring county Engineer on roads.
| Mr. A. B. Davis spoke in favor of the re-
| port of his committee, and desired only sub
stantal men appointed, as this system allowed
| each school district to make its own roads, as
| they desire, good or bad.
The resolutions were then adopted by very
| large vote
| The same committee was appointed to wait
| upon the County Commissioners.
! Resolced, That the proceedings of this meet
| ing be published in the county papers.
JOS. II. BRADLEY, Chm'n.
5 5Sa' + : n Saas4TAs' ) Secretaries.