The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-02-23

Within the past two weeks we have received
numerous communications and calls from par
ties representing every section of the county,
urging us to keep the subject of the county
roads prominently before the legislature, and
to insist upon a radical change in the present
system We wish it were in our power to ring
this cry in the ears OF every member of the
Assembly, three times day, until action was
had in the matter There is no movement in
which the real interests the people of both
county and town are so intimately involved as
in the Inauguration of a road system under
which decent highways can be secured. For
the past month farm operations have been
practically suspended in consequence Of the
wet weather. This was the very time at
which marketing and wood hauling could
have been done most conveniently and profit
ably Instead OF teams being busiy engaged,
however, they were forced to remain idle. for
the simple reason that it is impossible to
travel the roads in their present condition.
Many of the leading thoroughfares throughout
the county are impossible for even half load
ed wagons and on some of them it would be
hazardous to attempt to haul heavy running
gear. AS a result, the farmer is compelled to
let his produce remain unmarketed, and the
business of the town has been seriously I'M
paired, owing to the inability of the country
people to travel.
There will never be any material improve
ment of the roads until the present system is
wiped out, and the legislature will fall short
of its duty if it does not take steps towards
that much desired end at this session. The
people of every party have personal interest
in this matter and their representatives should
see that those interests are regarded. The leg
islature has been flooded with railroad
schemes since the first days of its session, but
we have yet to hear of member advocating
an improvement of the miserable road system
now in force. Let some of the Solons in Rich
mond turn their attention to this last named
subject, and we venture to say that their effort
will be sustained by concentrations from
every county of the Commonwealth.
Since the above was in type,we have receiv-
ed a card announcing that meeting of the
citizens will be held at Middebrook on Satur-
day next. at 2 o'clock, fol the purpose of con-
sidering the question of macadamizing the
Middlebrook road from Staunton to the Rock
bridge line, and adopting some practical plan
for the accomplishment of that object This
is move in the right direction and should re-
ceive the hearty cooperation of all citizens in
that section of the county. The business men
Of the city should also give the movement all
the aid in their power, and to that end we
suggest thatthey send representatives to the
meeting on Saturday. 1t is a matter in which
merchants and those engaged in other
branches of business have a deep interest,
and they should be ready to uphold the hands
of those who are now seeking to remedy an
evil that disastrously affects all branches of
trade in the city
And now that the people of the county
seem to be arousing to the necessity ofimprov
ing the roads, would it not be well for the
farmers all over the county to meet and petition
the legislature for a change of the present
system. Next Monday is Court day and, if
the mud is navigable, we may expect a.pretty
full attendance at Court. Let meeting be
nelu views compared, anu steps TAKEN w nave
the present law substituted by one which will
have the effect of giving decent roads. The
meeting could instruct committee, az to the
essential features of a bill, and then let that /
committee prepare the bill and send it to our
delegates at Richmond. A united and strong
movement will do good, and let it be made at
once.
In connection with the roads the subject OF
better bridges should also be considered.