The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-12-24
The Baltimore and Hartford Turnpike.

A meeting of joint committee of the several
farmers clubs OF llaIford county, was held in the
office of Major VIM. IL. Dallam, in Bel Air, on
Saturday, December 18th, 1875, at which VIM
II. Waters was appointed President, and +. W.
Baker Secretary.
The President stated the object of the meet.
ing to be to inaugurae such measures as would
secure an improvement in the condition of the
turnpike from Bel Air to Baltimore. He said
that some years ago our farmers clubs had OBJ.
tanned a promise from MIR. John s. Cuttings,
then the principal owner of the road, that it
would be put in good condition, and we were
advised to stay proceedings. Instead of the
good condition promised the road has been
growing worse year by year. Since that time
Mr. Cuttings has been again called upon in re-
lation to the matter. He asserted that the road
did not pay. From the best information the
speaker could obtain, 1t was learned that the
original cost of the road was $50 900, Dst that il
had been purchased by its present owner or
owners for $4,000 The receipts on the road,
he had also been Informed, were about Sl3, 600 u
year. This amount, lie thought, was very
heavy per ccntagc on the outlay, when the
wretched condition of the road and the amount
of toll cXacted is considered. He thought if
we would resolve not to pay any more tolls un-
til the road is put in order, something might be
done. Mr.. Cuttings was wiling, he said, to
have the road, when repaired, inspected by n
committee OF those using it, but the trouble Is
that no steps are taken 10 make the road q good
one. The question was, whether to proceed in
this matter under the advice of counsel, or TO de.
terminc not to pay tolls until the road is put in
order. The farmers, he said, were unanimous
on this subject, and determined to submit no
longer to the imposition of tolls with nothing In
return.
Mr.. John Moores said that in wet weather the
road is exceedingly bad. The stones have worn
through and you can find :he bottom of every
hole. People have become so much accustom-
ed to paying tolls and being jolted to death that
they are used TO it. 1t would be considered q
bad road if we had TO ride over it free. He had
been compelled to stop hauling over il and had
been sending his grain to the railroad.
Mr.. Edward G. Price said that we all know
the road is in bad condition, and we ought to
do something to induce the owners to repair it.
MIR. Amos Gilbert.-Supposc we pass q reso-
luton not to pay tolls. II the farmers all unit
cd could the owners of the road not force the
payment? If they brought suit that would
bring it into the courts and the matter of re.
pcaling the charter could be tested.
Mr.. Nathan Grafton thought committee
should be appointed to obtain legal advice, and
report to mass meeting to be called by the
present committee. If is decided to refuse to
pay the toll, we should act under the advice of
good counsel The reason why former proceed
ings against this road had fallen through was
because the proceedings were informal
Mr.. VIM. NJ Edelin, said the law as it stands
is totally inadequate TO reach the owner of the
road. Mr.. Cuttings can keep the road in good
condition or not as he pleases. He might be
reached in reference to the grades, which fare
coed what is required by the charter.
The President suggested thata mass meeting
be called to take concerted action in the matter,
and refuse to pay toll until the road is repaired
Accordingly, the following resolution was
adopted:
Resolved That mass meeting of farmers and
Others of Hartford and Baltimore counties be
held at the Court House, Bel Air, OF one o'clock,
P. NJ, on Monday, January Sd, 1916, to take such