The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-04-23

We give prominence to the sub
Joined communication frSm Citi-
zen" because its suggestions meet
our approval, and because it is a
standing shame to our town and
county to have such miserable roads
as we have, leading in all directions
from this place. Morris;own
is losing enough annually to make
MacAdamized roads in few years,
and her merchants are blind, very
blind, to their interests if they can
not see it and do not take some ac-
tive steps in assisting to make the
thorOughfares leading TO our grow
ing town more easy fer the trans
portation of the productive wealth
that surrounds US, and which wea
constantly losing on account of the
impossible condition of our roads
at the most important shipping sea-
son. We hear of improvements in
this line going on in counties all
around Us. Let little Hamblen be
not left behind in this vital matter.
We believe the people Of the cOun-
" would endorse and give subsJan-
tial ait TO any practicable move for
the permanent improvement of our
public roads. Let Citizen and the
advocates of a now order OF roads
come to the front and formulate
their plans without delay. Our cor
respondent writes:
To the Editor Of The SIorristown Gazette:
Before the meeting of our April
county court, the writer heard the,
subject of a rock crusher for Ham
bIen county, pretty freely talked
talked about among a number of
citizens, some members of the court
among them.
But the court has come and gone
and no step has been taken, looking
toward the lettering of our roads.
This is TO be greatly regretted.
During the past winter and up to
the present our roads have been in
such a condition that business all
over the county has been greatly
interferred with. Every farmer, and
every business man in the county
has suffered IN his pocket on account
oft. In the aggregate, this suffer
ing has amounted to many thou
sands Of dollars.
Unless something IS done, next
winter will repeat the same distress,
and the same pecuniary loss.
Under our very imperfect system,
any step that is to be taken, is to be
taken by the county court, and un-
der its authority ard supervision.
Our county court is composed of
very worthy citizens 1t has always
exercised commendable CD de-
gree of care rs to the expenditure
of "the peoples" money.
] have no doubt the members of
the court realize the necessity for
improvement in our roads But
unless they are stimulated in some
way ] doubt If they will ever take
an effective step toward substantial
improvement.
But we are all interested equally
with the members of the county
court in this matter Weall have
a right to be heard on the subject. |
The people as a whole-the tax
payers-have a right to control the
matter. If it should be known to
the county court that the people de-
sire that some money should be ex-
pended on our roads, the county |
court would doubtless, (as they GER
tainly ought to- regard their wishes.
Now, / understand that about
$500 would buy rock crusher. 1t
would take perhaps 5000 10 hire an
engineer and otherregular hands 10
run it for eight months in the year.
with the rock already furnished.
The militia and overseers would
gladly put in part of their time
hauling or quarrying rock. Many
a farmer would hanl large amounts
IF rock to the roadsidcs for il.