The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-12-09
The Public Roads,

Hon. TT. a Shnw, Of FdsoGoId, has
written letter advocating tho en-
ploymcnt Of eonvicts by tho different
counties to work OH roads and bridges.
lie says:
An average county would havo at
this time about, or perhaps little
over, twenty convicts, with yearly
increase. Before we could use this
labor prudcntly We should have, ac-
cording to my notion, cheap, strong
and movable barracks. We should
have at least three good, safo men to
act as guards and n competent master.
This would be ono guard for every
five convicts. The barracks should DO
on wheels and SO arranged that they
could be moved with but little or no
expense to the county. This master
for the county should be subject to the
direction Of the State Superintendent
IN everything pertaining to the general
management Of the conVicts, includinr
feed, clothing, discipline, &c. This
general master should spcnd all his his
tirc in looking after the convicts of
inc State, and he should be governed
by the most rigid laws as 10 his duties.
According to my estimate, this ar
langcmcnt will cost the average coun-
tyabout the Same or little loss than
we now pay. Under our present plan
we never get one cent in return.
Ny estimate for competent master,
Three competent guards, $500 each *SSS 400 90 90
fSeGtsg ycts geas and maoS clothing twenty con-
@''"ihS S"hus "'io olhostcr........... 40 90
1otai'...... ...................... $l,a40 20
| make no estimate for barracks for
the want of proper data, but thcy
could not be very expensive, and
would last for at least twenty years or
more. / think you will admit that the
above estimate is at least reasonable. if
not liberal. Say it will cost us, as now.
$4,000 annually. III twenty weeks six
bridges could bc built at cost of
Sl,G98, while they now cost by con-
tract $4,000. There would be thirty
two weeks remaining to devote to oti-
erwork. What will You find for
them to do the balance Of tho timer
LOOK at the condition Of tho roads
from ono end of the county to the 9th
er. It it will pny to work this labor
IN building bridges, it will pay equal
" well to work them on our roads. for
I honestly believe that no country cnn
develop all of its material wealth
which keeps its roads, bridges and
ferries in such condition az we do in
South Carolina, not only at this time.
but during this entire generation, for
itwould BIO unjust to say it is only
since the war that wo have had bad
roads. Every farmer in the up-conn.
try knows to the contrary.
II all tho roads, all tho bridges md
nll the ferries in South Carolina were
III good order, do You not believe It
would enhance tho value of ali our
lands at least ten per cent? This ma
torial Improvement would not bo very
perceptible for the first year or two
but If prudently managed for ton
years the real benefit and substantial
( Improvement to the whole conntrv
would be 50 marked, even to a casual
observer, that it would be rccognized
asa very important institution. In
Which the whole State Is Interested.
In naddition' to all this, the damage sus.
tanned by 5000 or 1000 vehicles 81
various kinds for tho want Of GOOD
roads will annually amount to thou.
sands Of dollars.
Mr.. Shaw's letter Is well worth the
attention Of the Legislature. Goycrnoo,
Simpson discussed the matter Of p,1b