Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-04-22
OUR HIGHWAYS AND BYwAYs AGAIN.

We do not think any apology or expiana-
ton necessary for the oft recurrence to mat
tiers of vital pnblic concern. The general
welfare of the community is always in or
der for discussion whether new lights can
be thrown upon the merits of the question
or not.
Under the special legislation for the coun-
ty, which has in large measure transfer
red the power of Government hitherto ex-
ercised by the Board of Supervisors to dis
trict road-boards, the initiatory steps have
been taken and the boards in each district
are organized. The division of the districts
into road precincts has been made, and as
fast as they are reported at the Clerks Of
fee, the SPECTATOR is publishing them,
giving boundaries and names of Overseers.
The county now has its system, and there
is no reason why good progress should NOT
be made under it. 1t will be for the dis
tricts to act separately, though upon I'M
portant questions concerted action would be
entirely feasible and proper. In shaping
policy, it cannot be doubted their action
will be worthy of the county and Of constit-
uencies which are already prepared to sus-
tain enlightened and judicious methods in
forwarding matters Of such Importance
The Middle River District Board is proceed
ing with fine spirit, and has supplied itself
with horsepower road maker, and will
thus early furnish demonstrative proof Of
the wisdom of it's action and the advantage
the people will secure in the more rapid i'm
provement of their roadways by the intro
duction of labor-saving machinery.
Every interest, and agricultural above all
others, will be duly considered in advance
Of the expenditure made. or the taxes to be
borne in securing, by a gradual process,
good roads. Conner cal and industrial pur-
suits will find increasing prosperity from
the enlargement of facilities in the conduct
Of general trade. The district boards, there
fore, may regard themselves as rejecting
the will of the people in carrying forward
measures which will accomplish all this.
Fifty or more miles of new railways in
PRODUCED into the county during the last
four years have materially changed the face
of the map at many points. New roads in
some places, and alterations in others, are
consequently necessary. The extended sec
tons of the county receding from the center
back to the North mountain range which
have no immediate railroad advantages, can
also reasonably claim, if need be, special
attention; because, as yet, they have only
the primitive modes of transportation, and,
in the adoption Of a general policy, the
center of the county cannot be too closely
associated with the improving spirit as it
shall radiate to the borders, or be directed
from the outer lines towards the city.
If viewed only in the simple light of i'm
proved facilities of transportation, good
roads are remunerative; but there are other
considerations which make them pro-
motive of public interests. They aid in
stimulating industrial enterprises, and
are most potent means of influencing
the introduction of capital. They promote
large views in establishing progressive
tastes, and in rendering the people content
ed with their own sections of country, and
checking the desire of emigration from it.
Neither the Board of Supervisors nor the
| District Road Board can be content to pre-
serve any other than forward policy. The
| people desire and will sustain it. The
county of Augusta occupies too important
a position in the State, with its large inter
ests and growing wealth, to falter in the ap-
plication of small share of its resources
in maintaining its prestige of the past and
achieving its rightful prominence in the flu
ture. County pride, as well as the public
convenience, is involved, along with every
consideration which should impel us to
steadily advance with this good work.