Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1881-04-28
/ comnuNIcATED.

than in the spirit IN which they are
written, as it is far from my wish TO
wantonly censure or reflect upon the
acts Of The Commissioners. / simply
desire to state few facts, which am
sure will copgince every unbiased
mind that they IN one respect at least)
have not acted in the interest OF the
people and have failed to practice that
economy and retoym so often promised
Economy, and reform =
How swcetly fall upon the ear
These pleasing words to give us cheer;
Bln when we give our friends the rope,
These words, alas prove false to hope,
Yes, how often have they entrapped
The unwary and deceived the unsus-
pectng1 But enough Of moralizing--
As a general thing, it is admitted that
the public thoroughfares characterize
the spirit and enterprise oil the people
living in the neighborhood. This rule
does not hold good Except in one in
stance which shall mention) in this
county, for the reason, that The mgjori-
fy ofSthe COMMISSIONERS from good
motives no douht} have seen ftto ap.
point men as supervisors who general
ly speaking, are unfit and incompetent
TO act. OF course, MessFs. Editors,
there are some exceptions. ! have no
doubt that there are maAy good and re-
liable men among the number who are
well fitted and fully competent to ac-
eomplish the work assigned TO them, but,
judging from the complaints throughout
the county, the exceptions are very
few. / speak most particularly OF those
over whose roads travel and who
know how to drain the Treasury (but
not the roads) by drawing pay, without
rendering an adequate return, in the
way Of seryiceable labor Tor the money
received, as can be proven TO the sat
isfacton Of all. A few days ago. | drove
over several miles Of the public road,
and in my journey passed through a
part OF three election districts and re-.
greet to say, found the road m many
places almost impossible, owing 10 inn
proper drainage.
am aware, Messrs. Editors, that our
road system is very imperfect and that
il ought to be abolished. The trouble,
however, at present is, not so much IN
regard TO the system as 10 The abuses
wbichhave gfownoui oft. Reconstruct
a road. and keep it in order, requires
some PRACTICAL knowledge, Men Of good
Judgment and experience are needed,
now ask in good faith, Gas a general
thing have such men been appointed
To illustrate the thorough incompetenoy
Of a particular supervisor (wbo am
sure is a fair sample OF The majorityG
/ will here instance an amusing incident
IN connection with road mending. and
as the modus opsruah was some hat
novel, ! will state il in full for iha ben
eft Of the public. This worthy, find.
ing il necessary TO Oh gully which had
been made in the road, aud having
neither cart nor barrow procured a
piece Of tail-bcurd. which he laid on the
ground. Upon this an assistant shoycled
a lot of earth. OF course The superyi.
sor overlooked this Job, and felt partie-
uIarly interested ~ exercising his lunc-
tons. Inasmuch as he had 10 lend help
ing hand 10 remove the board and con.
tents, he was anxious 10 see that Just
enough was placed upon 1t TO make ii
coApenint 10 tote. And this Is eaiieJ
repairing roads Would not boieh.
ing be betleri
| will now mention some bitches
which have been cut by this individual,
and as | shall speak Of them in rotation,
willdeslgnate them as one, twoand three.
No. l runs nearly parallel with worm
fence. the stakes Of winch were not
looked upon as an obstruction, and were
frequently left planted in the ditch per
baps this ditch was cut during wet
weather and has since warped. An.
other special feature about II is, that the
bottom is somewhat higher than The
bed of the road No. 2 presents the
novel spectacle (aIier a rain) ofthe wa
ter running over the head of the ditch.
instead Of passing to the end intended
for the outlet. No. 3 somewhat resem-
bles No. 2, the head being The lowest
part. consequently it has been partly
filled with water the whole Winter.
Here, according 10 natural law, the
water is seeking itslevel, passes through
and 10 a certain extent is absorbed by
the loose earth thrown from the ditch
to the bed Of the road. The result is
quagmlre, which, upon reaohing, the
traveller finds himself in Miss Salie
billiards. dilemma. Finding it imprac-
tIcable either TO go round or to cross
over on a rail, he is forced TO follow the
old lady's cxample--pul up his :
(horses, oil eourse,) and "snaae right
through" TO be serious, Messrs. Ed
TORS, now that the time is approaching
for appointing supervisors, cannot the
majority Of our Commissioners be pre-
vailed upon 10 give us better material
IN the way of road menders2 Our peo-
pie are always willing to pay for good
work, but seriously object 10 paying for
half way material for any kind. We
are ready TO meet our friends half way.
aud viii furnish with pleasure a man
endorsed by the best men Of this dis
tliet il they will appoint him. Can any
proposition be faircr than thisl Be-
sides, we only ask for one, whilst IN an
other neighborhood, there are fur su-
perpiSors Huiag wjthin Space Of less
Than half u mile. Notwithstanding this,
1 C1 H. ..a..gIa t.a..-1