Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1881-05-05
[correspondence Of lhe Beacon ]

CHArrco, May 3, 1881
Editors of the Beacon Dear Sirs ~ had
the pleasure Of ride last week over the Balti-
more and Potomac ralroad--also over the Pope's
Greek branch-when took advantage ofashort
stop at Brandywine TO look at our railroads,
now in progression at this point The South
ern Maryland railroad has n construction train
running upon its track The engine was bought
from the Baltimore and Potomac road. II has
been repainted and bears the inscription s. NJ.
r. r. As far down as could see the track was
laid-estmated at about two miIes-and a very
considerable force was grading, laying the ties,
iron, etc, as rapidly IS possible. They have
quite a number OF carts hauling logs to a saw
mill at BrandYwine. These they have sawed
into ties, are then bArked by men for that pur-
pose and sent on the construction train to the
point of operation.
The Washington City and Point Lookou, rail-
road is about 100 yards distant tNorth) at this
point. II has its track also laid as far down as
| could se0-estimated over a mile. Its mana-
gers are also at work with every prospect Of two
roads being built or double track anyhow
In this respect, we will rival tine B & o, r. Il.
i think that every landowner along the line
should allow them the right Of way. The royi-
val Of these roads is not n new thing. They
have beth felt the sting or tasted the sweets.
The Sl63, 600 are gone and there can be no fan
in running the machine over tried field lbat
can be Of no profit to either unless The roads are
completed. am in favor Of both roads. Some
show partially to the Southern Maryland from
the fact that we have $4,000 in II. This
should offer no prejudice to the W G. & p. l.. i.
They are said to pay cash they CO. and so far as
our Sl63, 900 is concerned, the S. Nd could cas-
lily mortgage for $500, 900 to carry on the work
of the road and should the road--when COM
peted-be sold under such mortgage, our SlG3,-
900 Of stock would 90 up where the woodbne
twineth. Our people should encourage both
roads and offer no objection where such can pos
sibiy be avoided.
would like to say something about our coun-
ty roads. They are worse than the tail end Of
the tall There is no use TO complain Of the
Commissioners They are fully aware ofall cir
cumstanoes and ! am satisfied most Of them are
road men and know what the roads want But
politics and wanting to please erybody byal-
pointing unskiIled captains to manage the ship
which founders and goes to total ruin, leaving
her passengers to- perish in taxes, without one
single hope Of being benefited or save D are the
red evils The case is very fairly represented
in the last ssue Of YOUR paper by POTOMAC
He gives the true character Of the bitches cut by
many supervisors the water running the
backward way, bursting over the heads, etc.--
others are cut drawing the water into the roads
instead Of out Of them and cut as snake crawls
| would like to suggest that only superyi-
sors he appointed in the county, one to each dis
trict--that they be men skilled in road mend
ing or of sufficient intelligence to become skilled
in the work-that they give bond for from $500
to ST. 900 for the faithful performance Of their
duty-that they work 50 many months during
the year at 81 80 per day and 81 TO the laborer
team, tools, etc, to be furnished by the county
or allow the supervisor so much per day to
furnish or hire them. Let him 90 to work with
out restriction, throwing up the roads TO the
centre, with drains on each side, Strengthening
widening and leyelng them wherever such can
be done, not questioning the cost so as the
work is good and permanent and within the
charge rs prescribed by law
do not believe that any rational taxpayer
would complain if his taxes were from 81 to $40
higher by getting good road TO drive over and
haul his produce to shipping points With this
done, in five years our roads might compare
with our Western sister counties end cost no
more than they do to-day.
] wish Herbert would say he is in favor Of
"poll Tax ESQ, he can get my vote and a
barrel of 'come, happy we will be' thrown
in. Every man is Interested in having good
road even though he may only use it By walk
ing. / would further suggest that all roads be
condemned TO 80 feet by paying the owner for
his land and, nv skilled suoervisors the % feet