Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1880-08-19
Our Public HIGHWAYS.


MEssns. EpIroRs: Few persons accustomed TO
travel over the public highways of our county
can fail to see, and often feel, that there Is
something radically wrong in the present system
OF roadwork. From year to year our citizens
are taxed and finod forced to spend from fivo
to twelve days to perpetuate q mere legalized
FARGO misnamed roadwork, by which the roads
are often left in worse condition than they
were before tho working. Tho writcr oaunot
but think il hard we'll as unjust 10 be taxed
for the expenses of keeping up tho public high
ways in ono way and another, and then DO com
pollcd 10 leave his business and homo for DAYS
together for no compensation whatever. There
10 little that can reasonably be expected from
men who arc compelled to labor without fee or
reward, henco the character Of the roadwork VIC
often see through tho county. Tho present
system has been sufficiently tried 10 convince
any reasonable mind lhut something better is
demanded. The condition Of many of our
main 'horonghfares is, in many places, actually
dangerous Many Of the roads arc so laid out
os TO make it exceedingly difficult If not i'm
ros'i"!e TO keep them in condition TO DC
travelled. In such places tho public good de-
mands that such alterations and changes should
be made as would promote and facilitate travel;
but under tho present arrangement there is
neither The necessary timo nor skill at command
to accomplish any really advantageous results.
There is doubtless nearly if not quite sufficient
cum OF money expended in ono why or another
under the present code TO- If jua;oous'y applied,
give US as good roads ne can be found in any
county. To accomplish this desirable end tho
writer would merely suggest something like the
following plans
First That our next Legislature be requested
10 revise or repeal tho present road laws, at
least in 60 lar as they affcot Oconeo county, and
III lie" give us Ian empowering our citizens,
through their commissioners or otherwise, to
divide tho public highways into sections of two
to ten miles according to the nature Of tho
work ia be performed; that each section be let
out TO the lowest responsible bidder, who shall
give bond with approved security for the faithful
performance Of his duties; that each such bidder
be empowered to employ from one to ten hands
as tho work may require at stipulated monthly
wages lconvicts from the courts on short sem.
tencee could Do utilized here and save the county
considerable costs)
Second That general superintendent be
appointed MS shall bc deemed best. either bv
election or otherwise, whose duty il shall be to
visit each section at least onco a mouth to ex-
anime and receive or reject the work performed,
to pay or givo orders on tho proper officers for nav
mcnt Of expenses; when necessary to survey and
lay out proper grades for roadbcds, and all other
such duties as may dcvolyc upon him as SUI
rerin'cndcnt of roads and bridgco. Said officer
10 receive such compensation as tho nature of
big work may demand, and also 10 give propcr
security for tho faithful discharge of the duties
Of his Office.
such law would do away in great measure
the necessity for County Commissioners; and
their other duties could be performed by the
LIerk OF the Court or some othor officer of tho
government, and thus do away with that oon-
Germ
The writer presents tho above as hint for
the consideration Of his fellow. citizens by which
he and they by n little additional tax (perhaps)
may get rid Of The inconvcniences and grievances
of tho present inefficient and almost worthless
system Of road working.
The writer is not prepared to assert but
p0Iisvts that The amounts paid as road ord
bridge tax, the salary Of County commissioners,
sheriifs. Jail fees for hoard of conyiota. 60.
"ou'd 90 FAR to maintain the system ho recon-
menas' That it is the only proper and just
means oy which we can expect to possess and
onJoy tho pleasure Of travelling over good level
ana smooth roads, he thinks few ril deny.