Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1882-09-30
Our Public Roads.

GOOD pubic ROADS are, or should De,
a matter of the greatest Importance to
every county, district and neighbor-
hood. Our people are an industrious,
sensible people, and generally act pru-
IDENTIFY and in accordance with good
judgment in most things; but upon
the subject of good roads and bridges,
we, as a people, have not acted in ae-
cordance with our best interests. All
admit the Importance of good roads
and good bridges, but we still act as if
we thought time and inactivity would
make them, We have certainly tried
this long enough. We very we'll know
that if we ever have them we must
make them, and how much longer
should we postpone these important
improvements? 1t is hardly nee
essary for us to consume time in
stating the advantages to be derived
from them, but we deem the subject Of
so much Importance, and our people of
this county are so slow to act in this
important matter, that we feel it our
duty to not cease talking about good
roads until we get them.
The advantages and elevating inhu
ences of good roads and bridges to
every community can hardly be COM
pretended or properly estimated. 1t
is a question that should directly inter-
est the farmer, the merchant, the man.
ufacturer, the professional man, the Ia
borer, and the man of leisure. IL does
seem to us that a matter of so much
importance to all classes ought to re-
ceive the hearty support and cO.opera-
ton of all, and that the work of max
ing good roads and bridges should be-
gin at once.
The present road law may be a good
one, and we beleveit is, Improperly car
ried out; but with the small assess
ment of road tax and labor now i'm
posed on the people will never put our
roads in good condition, much less keep
them so. We believe the present road
law to be good because it taxes the
rich as well as the poor in proportion
to the advantages received.
Property is benefited by good roads,
aud property holders as we'll as the
common laborer should contribute to
make and keep them.up. We have a
good, safe economical County Court,
and we are glad to see them prudent
and economical; but they have GER
tainly been too much so in regard to
public roads and bridges. 1t seems to
us that our County Court ought to at
once consider some plan by which We
can build bridges and make good road;
at the least possible expense. Let the
county be divided off into districts OF
sections, and require each section or dis
trict to do certain amount of work
on their roads and bridges (where
bridges are needed and then receiyt
aid from the county to finish up the
work. Some plan certainly can bt
adbpted, and if no other or better thar
the present road law let it be faithfully
carried outand we will have better roads
Such work as is now being done is bu
of little or no value. Year after yea
the same old custom is kept up. TIL,
idea seems to prevail that if road di
rectors r overseers keep their roads s.
as not to be indicted by our courts i
about all they care for. The old way
just before court convened the farm
ers and laboring men were summone,
to work two or three days so as to saw
the oversccr from Indictment. Som
Of the worst gullies were filed up wit
loose dirt and brush, and left in such
way as to wash out with the first bi
rain that comes, Even under on
present road law much of our work
still done in this way. After working
a big rain or two viii wash out an
leave them in as bad condition as bt
fore working. We must do enoug
work to make them good, rising in tn
centre SO water can run off both way,
and they can be kept up with littI
work.
We shall be glad to sec our honor;
able county court take the matter int
consideration and if possible have OF
roads in good condition this fall befol
winter begins. Now is the time
make good roads that will stand throug
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