The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-01-25
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Public ROADS.

An eminent political economist has shrewdly
SAID From the attention given to roads in any
country, one NAV form olerably correct esti-
mate OF the comparative degree OF civilization
and enterprise OF its inhabitants" lfthe cit
liens of Augusta We're to-day judged by this
criterion their position would be both pitiable
and humiliating. Instead of being thought an
acute, PRACTICAL. thrifty, and energetic people,
they would be considered dull, INDECENT Care
less, improyident set; too lazy to exhibit pres
ent vigor for future ease, and too stupid to in
cur slight expense for certain profit. The de-
plorable condition of our public roads is.a
source OF modification to the practical portion
OF our population, and, to strangers, a proof
positive OF shameful negligence or niggardly
economy. 1t is a disgraceiul fact that the
great and wealthy county OF Augusta with an
area OF nine hundred square miles, a popula-
ton ofthirty-hye thousand inhabitants,a genial
climate, fertile soil, a remarkable diversity OF
productions, and boundless mineral wealth,
has within her broad limits only two respect
able highways, for oneof which she is indebted
to the public spirit OF private capitalists, and
Tor the other to State munlticence. For more
than century her people, actuated by false
spirit OF economy, have been spending money
IN drlblets, with the ayowed object of securing
good roads. They have tried law after law,
have patched up road system after road sys-
lem, and have resorted 10 every temporary ex-
pedlent which embraced the indispensable ele-
ment of cheapness.
Their efforts have all failed Dirt roads can
not withstand our peculiar spring climate.
Money expended upon them is thrown away.
The people have meyer been induced to try
a system OF macadamizing. They have chung
desperately to every proposal which has sug
gested a temporizing policy. They haye ex
fail jt,t g
dirt roads which would be touching, did it not
reflect upon their sterling common sense.
1t would seem that a hundred years would
afford ample time for the peculiar advantages
OF any system to develop themselves. Yet the
fact stares us in the face that our roads are
abomlnable. The same amount of labor and
money is required to put them in order each
succeeding year, and they are never per-
manently improved. Simplicity is said to be
refreshing, but the credulous simplicity which
can induce men to believe that an indefinite
adhesion TO our present policy will ultimately
result in good roads approaches idiocy Dirt
roads have had a fair trial and have failed ut
terly. Ii the amount OF money which has
been sunk In them had been expended in mac
adamizng, Augusta would to day possess the
best roads south OF the Potomac, and our farm.
ing lands would be selling at twenty per cent
increase over their present values. Time has
been consumed and money lost by our bigoted
adhesion to dirt roads. Shall we endeavor TO
repair the mischief already done by resorting
to a general system OF matchmaking? Il
will cost some money to be sure-good things
are always costly. But the expense will not
be SO great as most people imagine. Macad-
amizng should be agradual process ). The as
sessed taxable values OF the county amount
in round numbers, to $l0,600000.
Now, II the people authorize a levy of ten
cents on the hundred dollars the amount real
lied, per year, will be Ten thousand six hun
dred dollars. A judicious expenditure of this
sum, annually, under the direction of the
Board OF Supervisors, would very soon cause
marked improvement in the character of our
roads, and, ultimately pat US in the possession
OF the most desirable thoroughtares in the
South. The question is simply, are the prop
erty holders OF the county willing, for few
years, to Dear direct tax of ten cents on the
hundred dollars to secure permanent service
able roads? Indirectly they pay a much larger
sum than this annually under the present
system.
Landowners, when considering this cues |
ton should bear in mind that at the last session
OF the Legislature their State taxes which had
previously been nifty cents on the hundred dol |
lars, were reduced to forty cents. Now if
they will consent, for few years longer, to
pay the same amount of taxes which they have
been accustomed to pay, and will dedicate the
ten cents saved from state taxation TO the
cause OF public roads our object will soon be
attained. and macadamzed roads established.
Is there enough public spirit in the county to
justify us in supposing that our substantial
citizens will be willing to give the amount
saved from state taxation to the permanent
Improvement of Augusta? The county is
prosperous now, and the season favorable for
deciding definitely " hnthpr or not xUa hal
keep up with the progressive spirit of the
times, or passiyely submit to the grievous
disadvantages of an Anticipated road system.