The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-06-06
Our Public Roads.

1t has been contcnded that the true test of
the civilization of any country is the condi-
ton of its roads. We do not know how far
we may assent to this. We like to believe
that our country is among the most advanced
in civilization, but it would never do to apply
this road test to us. In many places where
we have the highest evidence of civilization
fine public grounds well titled farms,
handsome schools, churches, or educational
institutions, the roads are in condition to
beggar language to portray Even where we
succeed in getting good roads there are laws
for their particular treatment We see in
cities expensive roadways made, and soon az
ter immense trucks with the wheels not over
two or three inches wide, pushing the material
aside in every direction. So with turnpike
companies The road is made, and so much
Il horse per mile charged for the use thereof,
yet there are some vehicles which will do
more damage in a single day than dozen
horses would do in whole year
We suppose with our often steep and heavy
roads, far heavier than they need be by the
coarsely broken stone, there is some hardship
in insisting that only broad-whcel tires
should go over them with heavy loads, rs has
been done in some of our public grounds
but those who do use broad wheels, and thus
save the road ought to have some encourage
ment by lighter tolls If some discrimina-
ton of this kind were made it would surely
be to the interest of the roads when in pri-
vate hands and of the public when the roads
are free.
1t is interesting to note how nicely the law
of road-use is Drawn in the older countries,
and how jealousy guarded every right seems
to be. In England, for instance, some things
have immunities from tolls. A farm wagon,
if the wheels have four inch tread, goes toll
free when used for hauling manure on to the
land. So horse drawing pillow pays moth
ing, and we believe farm wagon with pro-
ducc for market passes all the gates free
We can go to church or to our graves with
small change. We are speaking only of the
matter of fact, as affecting both Countries
Recently curious case came up in the Eng
fish courts, in relation to these agricultural
privileges over the turnpike roads. Tolls
were demanded on account of u steam pillow
II was resisted, and suit brought for the re-
cOvcry 1t was urged that the law gave i'm
mlnity to Horse and pillow; but n hcODlOtiCt
and pillow was another thing. But the court
placed the iron horse on n level with the
horse of flesh and blood, and sustained the de
PENDANT.
1t is worthy of note how England, though
profcsscdly for free trade in dealing with this
| country, knowing her great advantage in the
free struggle, yet zealously protects her agri,
culture on her own soil, rs these road priv
| ilcges testify. Still no one wants these priv
| ileges here. While in Europe only one per
son against one is interested in agriculture
in our country it is twenty to one and il
| would not do at all to make the one pay fol
reading for twenty of his neighbors. But
still there are many matters of right and
wrong, of good public policy, in regard to
| American roads well worth studying; and the
| whole subject affords as fine field for Il great
public question as any that now occupies the
attention of political parties.