Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-05-03
at1isteAaneuns &eading.
THE ROAD QUESTION.

senator buUleT HAS duuTeSSeu tllCloii iiiS
letter to the commissioner of agriculture,
from which it appears that the Senator pro-
poses to study the road question and en-
deavor to devise some plan for improving
the public highways:
EDGEF1ELD, April 1G, 1888.
Hon. A. p. Butler, Commissioner of Alg-
riculture, Columbia, S. C.-My Dear Sir:
The most important and economic ques-
ton for the people of this State-noW that
the Stock law is settled, and l trust perma-
nently-is the Improvement of our public
highways, and as shall have some leisure
next sumnier-the first prospect of an unin-
terrupted recess have seen since member
of the Senate want to employ part OF it
in preparing for publication one or more
communications upon that subject. At least
| shall endeavor, when / return to Wash
ington, to collate the leading features of the
systems Of the public road work in different
States, and draw such conclusions as an eX-
animation of them may suggest:
1 want to trouble you for some data If you
can procure it:
1st. Can you furnish me with the number
of miles of highways worked and maintain
ed by the public in this State?
I'd. Is there means of ascertaining the rel
ative condition Of the highways in the diff
ferent counties, and if so how?
3rd. Can you give the number of public
bridges and ferries, and of these how many
collect toll and how many are free, and as
near as may be the cost OF construction ana
maintenance?
18th. Are there any public roads in South
Carolina on which: toll is collected from
travellers? If So, how many miles, where
located, the cost reconstruction and mainten-
ance how were they made and by whom?
If you have not the data that will enable
YOU to answer the questions, IWOuld be great
ly obliged if you can get it for me from the
county commissioners. | presume they can
readily furnish it, and you have opportu-
mites Of communicating, with them that
have not. - s@>E' - 80 q.
The public road problem is a very perpleX-
ing one, very difficult to deal with, and l
want to get all the available information on
the subject. In order that it may be solved
intelligently, we must have all the informa-
ton possible, and hence I venture to trou-
BILE you. Shoal water in our streams ter
inmates at about line drawn from Cheraw
to Augusta, and that section of the State
lying above such line is where the greatest
trouble is experienced. The hills and clay
and stone of this region have hitherto bat-
fled the efforts of the public for good roads,
under our present plan of dealing with them,
and the opinion growing that some change
is necessary in the interest Of economy and
comfort. What that change shall be am
not now prepared to suggest. One thing
l am prepared to say, however, that in
many parts of the country the roads are not
fit to be travelled, and 1 do not believe
ever can be made SO under the present sys-
tenn of maintenance, care not how efficient
and faithful the commissioners may be.
The greater part of the country below this
line may get along under the old plan and
have passable roads because Of the topogra-
ply of the country and character of the
SOIL but 1 think it is demonstrable, if the
data could be had, that the expenses incurred
in the up-country by reason Of the wear and
tear of vehicles, injury to work animals,
loss of time and sometimes of limb or life,
on our present roads, would macadamize
them all and maintain them indefinitely, to
say nothing of the deprecated value of
land, where it is inaccessible on account OF
bad roads.
But am somewhat anticipating myself,
and had better reserve this discussion for
subsequent communication, which l hope
to make and shall make, if / am not disap-
pointed in getting the necessary informa-
ton. In the meantime / invoke your assist
ance and shall feel greatly obliged if you
will aid me. Very truly, yours.