The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-03-12
Sale OF Public Roads,

A new road law is about to go into effect
In Cecil county, similar to one that has been
operated successfully for some years in the
adjoining counties in Pennsylvania. We
shall watch with interest the manner of its
operation in Cecil, with the hope that it may
be what is needed for our own county. The
Elkton Wing explains its provisions as
follows:
An important change is about to be made
in our heretofore wrctched road system.
Under the new road law for the county, the
Commissioners advertise to sell the roads
next month, commencing at Elkton on the
18th OF March, when the roads of the Third
District will be sold i'll sections to the lowest
bidder for three years. The days are appoin.
ted in the advertisement for selling the roads
III each District. One man may buy one or
more sections as he secs proper. 1t is pro-
posed by this system to place those who I'M
dertake to keep the roads in order, under
some obligation to do the work in proper
manner, which they contract to perform, and
within certain specified period, as bridges
are built and all other kinds of public work
is done. When the supervisor, or rather con-
tractor has examined the section or sections
OF road which he proposes to purchase, and
makes his estimate for keeping it in repair
for three years. and if his bid is the lowest
when the contract is knocked down to him,
he will bond with the County Commissioners
to make or mend and keep in repair the same
according to the specifications contained in
his bond. In each District one judicious per-
son will be selected by the Commissioners
whose duty it shall DO To go over and exam
Inc or inspect the roads twice year or Oft
ener if required, and certify all bills of the
road contractor before they can be paid by
the County Treasurer
The changes in the system of road mend
ing which the altered law proposes are, first,
10 make the supervisor responsible to his
employers, who are the Commissioners
secondly, to make it an object to watch the
roads and remedy the first appearance of a
break by the water, and thus save heavy ex-
pense in repairing damage, which few min
utes' work at the beginning would often pre-
vent; and by Judcious management in keep
ing the roads always in good order great
saving will be effected, and profit be realized
by the contractor, while the public receive
the benefit OF good roads at all seasons of the
year. 1t is believed that one half the outlay
which has been absorbed by the roads, which
average about $4,000 yearly, would keep the
public roads in much better repair than they
have been, il it was made an object with the
supervisor to watch them and repair at the
first appearance OF q damage, and employ
only such hands as will give faithful days
work. No man, when he is responsible for
the payment of road hands, will think ofcm-
ploying such as have made up very large
per cent. of those usually found putting in
time on the roads This abuse which has
cost the county heavily will disappear under
the revised system When man knows
the exact sum he shall receive for perform
ing specific contract, it at once becomes
his interest to study economy both in the
employment of labor and the management
of his trust. And when that work has to be
pronounced upon by an inspector he will be
doubly careful to execute it properly.