The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-01-07

THE BALTIMORE AND hartford TURN
PlKE.-A meeting of persons interested in
improving the condition of the Baltimore
and Hartford Turnpike, was held at the
Court House on Monday. The sections of
the county most deeply interested were well
represented. Mr., G. G. Kinsey was appoint
ed chairman and ]. A. Spicer Secretary
The question Of resort to legal measures
to compel the owners of the road to keep it
in repair had been previously referred to
Henry d. Farnandis, Esq, who stated that
after examining the various laws relating to
turrpikes, and especially the law of 1872, in
regard to the Baltimore and Hartford Turn
pike, he would recommend an appeal to law
as the very last resort. The law of 1872
was entirely impractical and imperative, be-
cause it is unconstitutional, and if it were
constitutional it aft rdcd'no remedy. A bill !
was introduced AT the Legislature of 1872,
making it the duty of the Alto mey General
when complaints were made in relation 10
any part of this road, to order sci,e tacias,
calling upon the owners of the road TO show
how they have fulfilled their charter obliga-
lions. If it could be shown that they have
violated the terms of their charter, it could
be forfeited With some notifications this
bill would answer thcpurposc Mr.. Farnan-
dis also read letter from Geo. II. Williams,
Esq, Secretary of the Turnpike Company, in
which he said:
My DEAR SIR: j am very much obliged TO
you for your letter of the Goth. would have
sooner answered it, but 1 havc,takcn time 10
inquire int facts, so as TO write you a satislac-
tory reply.
For your satisfaction, (and deem you fairly
entitled to know everything, and the books of
the company are freely open 10 your inspection
to verify any statcmentO | have examined the
receipts for the whole OF the past year, and this
is the result:
From January lst 1875, to date, the gate keen.
ers have brought in S12, 3l2 20, and there has
been paid out for work and labor, Excluding
all salaries gate keepers, etc. nearly 50 liz o.
The balance has been largely consumed by gate
keepers pay and taxes, leaving but n small sum
for stockholders am informed that the mon
cy paid for stone and labor this very month has
been 81 ,22O20, and that the gangs of men daily
at work on both branches number twelve
Were 1t abandoned the experience from The
destruction of the most of the Washington turn.
pike shows what would become of the value of
the property binding upon it. No complaints
come from the upper branch of the road; they
chiefly cmanate from the neighborhood of Bel
Air. We have listened TO everybody, adoptcde
verybody' suggestions, have put portions of the
| road under contract TO be kept by those living
upon those portions have tried all conceivable
plans, and are quite ready to adopt anything rea
sonablc that may be recommended to us by any
one you will endorse as responsible advisori in
fact are ready to do anything practicable to avoid
these complaints.
Make any use Of this letter you please, and
speaking for Mr.. Cuttings rs well as myself we
beg to say that we are very much Obliged for
your good feeling and letter. and will be very
thankful for anything you communicate in flu
ture.
You will see from the figures that the allcga.
ton that the company receive and divide tolls
without expanding them for the benefit of the
travelling public is without foundation in fact.
Yours, truly,
GEO II. WILLIAMS.
Baltimore, Dec. 81, 1875.
In view of statements made in Mr. Will
liams' letter, in the truth of which Mr.. Far
nandis expressed full confidence, he recon-
mended that the meeting select some man
who will, for moderate sum, supervise the
road, and we will be satisfied if the owners
of the turnpike spend fair amount of the
receipts upon the road.
Mr.. Hoskins thought it would not be wise
to take it out of the hands of the present
company. lie approved Mr.. Farnandis's
suggestion, and thought ne-half more work
could be done for the amount annually ex-
pended upon the road, if proper supervi-
sion was made.
1t was then moved and adopted that
committee be appointed 10 confer with the
President and Secretary of the turnpike
company, to arrange for carrying out the
offers made in Mr. Williams letter, and the
chair appointed Messrs. Henry D. Farnan.
dis, Cheney Hoskins, John Moorcs, VIM. II.
Waters and Henry Reckord.
The meeting then adjourned subject TO
the call of its President