Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-03-03
WHAT Is BEING DONE ABOUT THE
ROADS.

hUAODs
p1rprIc MEETING AT THE COURT HOUSE
-THE GENERAL IDENTIFICATION OF
THE PRESENT ROAD SYSTEM-THE
RocKBRIDGE PLAINTIFF OLD TOWN
SHIP SYSTEM STRONGLY ADVOCATED
PITT NO ACTION TAKEN-A PRACTICAL
MEETING AT DLEBROoK-PROsIPr
AND BUSINESS LIKE ACTION.
&C., &C., &C.
Considering the notably large atten-
dance at court last Monday, the small
number present at the opening of the
meeting held to consider some measure for
better road system for Augusta coun-
ty, was not an encouraging evidence Of
public interest. But the earnestness of
the gentlemen who took part in it, their
familiarity with the subject evidencing the
fact that they had carefully studied it, and
the increased interest apparent after the
debate commenced, by the increased crowd
gave more hopeful signs. The meeting
was called to order by Mr.. A. &. Chris
tian of South River, and Mr.. Hugh +.
~. SAA@NAN
man.
Col. John L. Peyton thought the meet
ing too small to give that representative
feeling of the Augusta people which was
required to make any plan adopted sue
cess 1t was not too small, however. in
his opinion for the appointment OF COM
mittee which should report some plan to a
future and larger gathering. Many plans
already spoken of might be considered by
.snch q committee From the vote OF the
PEOPLE of the county very lately on the
subject, he did not infer they were IN favor
of a loan. The State debt had been very
hurdensome. and in devising means for
tightening it the State had been placed be-
fore the world in an unfavorable light and
he thought the people were unT illlng to
incur further obligations in that line Toll
gates had been spoken of but it could
hardly be said that they were a popular
remedy. Incorporated companies had alse
been discussed.
The Chairman-W would be the duty
of the committee you suggest if appoin-
ted !?
Col. Peyton-Simply to investigate and
digest all these various plans and present
the result of their deliberations at some
future meeting.
THE RoCKBRIpGE SYSTEM.
Mr.. E.. Huff thought what is known as
the Rockbridge plan was the best. 1t was
general plan adopted by the legislature
years ago which had been accepted by two
counties, Rockbridge and one other.
Rockbridge has such excellent roads I'M
der it, now, that yon can easily tell, when
travelling, tine moment you cross the ROCK
bridge line. Mr. Fl. favored a law requir-
ing a paan to work four days on the roads.
MIR. John II. Crawford, of Middle River,
thought
~uE PRESENT ROAD SYSTEM LITTLE
MORE THAN FRAUD
>xeA ialen who worked on the roads
unooi WI ~ept early. and did as little as
ca"e ia'e, We tbese. MT. Crawford as
oNeS ooa'u WI sof the meeting offered
ses0 " VIC Sers >s committee to pre-
resolution appoint. radical changes in
pare bill embodyins g present sucl, q
the present system. a. +. - its refarencf
bill to the Legislature withol.
to any future meeting of citiz ;.+o,
COL Peyton opposed any C, 1..',,,o
framing a bill for the Augusta + e.
which they might afterwards repudie
The matter belonged to the people ana
should be- considered by the people. AS a
substitute he offered a resolution instruct
ing the chairman to appoint committee
of FIVE from each magisterial district to in
vestigate all plans and report to future
meeting.
DIFFICULTIES OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM.
Dr. James F. Tate, of Beverley Manor,
feared that the delay attending Col. Pey
toms plan would find the legislature ad-
journed and two years more to wait for
relief He thought the old township sys-
tenn. abandoned in 1875, was the best the
county has yet had and under it the roads
were gradually getting better. Under the
present system he knew of one important
road that had not been worked for three
years and another that had not had two
days work on it in six years. The present
law could only be made more effective by
more vigorous grand juries, followed by
stirring up all sorts Of ill feeling and ami
mostly among neighbors. Even IT you
give information against yonr Road Over
seer and had him presented it did not fol-
low that you got good road. Road over
seers are like Governors and other officers;
every man you pick up does not know how
ito make good officer. You present your
neighbor who is d road overseer and he
doesn't speak to you afterwards. nor does
the fact that you have presented him en-
sure a better road. The larger portion of
road overseers don't kaaoao hoW to make
dood roads. The speaker favored a return
to the old township system.
THE COST OF BETTER ROADS.
Mr.. Crawford read a letter from Capt
&C, r. Mason, the famous railroad contrac
tor, in reply to an enquiry, in which he
estimated the cost of MacAdamlzing the
roads at ST. ,225 per mile for road ten feet
wide and one foot deep in metal.
DIR, Tate said that in Kentucky the cost
was estimated at from $4,000 to So, 500 per
mile. DR.. T. said he was mainly after I'M
proving the neighborhood roads though he
would not object to being taxed for Mac
Adamizing the main roads. He did not
want everything put on labor and thought
it but fair that property should pay its
share in taxation. The Rockbridge sys-
tenn which had been referred to was. be
said. to have township Board which con.
sisted of the Supervisor, Assessor and the
Road Commissioner, and this board let the
keeping of some fifteen or twenty miles Of
road to one responsible and experienced
man.
PROPERTY, NOT LABOR, OUGHT TO BEAR
THE COST.