The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1882-06-15

deed, ID ibis respect at least, we
are uncivilized. The roads of South
Carolina are certainly miserable.
I have been in thirteen counties
lately and one is no better than
the other so far as natural advan-
tage goes. Of course in those
sections where the soil is sandy
and the lands are level the roads
will not wash as badly, or bog as
deeply as in the bill and clay dis
tricts. 1t is almost a shame 20
drive decent vehicles over most of
the roads 10 the State, for they
are soon not fit TO be seen. And
then how much of their usefulness
is taken away by their poor con-
dition. How often do we see a
wagon, with. four good mules at
tacbed, struggling along with a
load Of three or four bales of cot
ton, when they ought to easily
pull from six to eight, Now, why
is this? 1t is simply because if
the farmer has to haul his cotton
ten miles, and nine miles Of the
road is good and in the other mile
there are deep boys and ruts, be
has to put on bis wagon only so
much as bis team can pull over
sach difficulties. Thus, owing to
that one mile being in bad order,
the nine miles are of little or no
avail. But enough Of the condi
tion of tie public country roads of
South Carolina, for every man,
woman and child who has ever
travelled them can attest 10 their
terrible and unnecessary condi'
ton.
Now, as to the present manner
of working these roads. AS the
law now stands, the roads are
worked about three times during
year, and then only one day at
time. This, in the first place,
does not give the roads half the
time necessary TO put them in
their proper condition, and in the
next place the work done on
tbcm is simply chiId's play and
lawful foolishness. 4 supervisor
is appointed by the county COM
missloncrs to superintend the
work on certain lines of roads.
This supervisor summons those
liable to road duty 10 meet at Ger
tain points on certain days to
work their respective sections.
Now, if any one don't care TO 90
himself he has the privilege Of
sending in his place some Is or
II year old boy or IS year old
man. Well, We will suppoee all
who are liable have met at the
appointed place at the appointed
time either in person or by sub
stitute. Now, let some practical,
sensible man 60 with them as a
witness only, and what will be
see? A lot Of old men and boys,
some with hoes worn to the eye,
others with axes that would
scarcely cut Northern pine, ano'
Their with some family relic Of .
spade or shovel, while others car
ry nothing. And now the roll is
called, and soon the careless, law
compelled crowd. begin their use
less, yes, foolish march for the os'
tensib!e purpose Of fixing the
roads. As they go merrily along
they pay no attention to the
thousands Of rocks that are scat
tered all over the road, enough to
jolt to pieces even a Brewster's
make. Presently they come to a
mud hole whose bottom wheel
would seek two feet in finding,
and what do they do? Why they
throw iu a few huge stones for the
benefit of those suffering from
headache, few little pine tops On
these, and, like the generality Of
sinners, spread a fair coating (of
dirt) over the whole, march on,
leaving the unwary traveller to
wrench the axles off his buggy,
or the unhappy farmer to start in
with his well loaded wagon only
to find himself obliged to throw
off part Of his load, get help or
sit quietly over this slough Of de-
spond and mediate on mans iD-
genuity. A little farther on those
hard workers encounter b for
midable locking stump right ia
the middle OF the road, but OF
course they can't take the trouble
to dig it up or in any way remove
it, so it is left alone in its glory
to be q continual annoyance and
danger to the travelling public.