The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-06-02
MOUNT AIRY. N. j.. June Q. 1886

MOUNT AIRY, N. ] :, June 9, 1886.
Mr.. EDIToR We heartily dislike to
find fault with and to critcse the official
acts of our township officers, for we know
that it is hard matter to please every,
body. But when our township guardians
unthinkingly, or otherwise, attempt to
establish rule or precedent which may
lead to trouble and unnecessary expense
good natured criticisms, we think, are in
order. In years past the committee were
seldom called to oversee work on roads,
and the money appropriated for that pur-
pose was proportioned out to the over
seers, who are usually men of good sense
and are responsible 70" the condition of
their roads and are, we think, as capable
of expanding the money to advantage as
the honorable committee. But under this
new tangled arrangement, the committee
have legislated themselves board of
overseers of public highways, and seem
to be looking more to their own "usu-
fruct" than to the best interests of the
townships.
At our last town meeting it was voted
to raise three hundred dollars more for
roads than We usually raise, and notwith-
standing that fact the road orders were
cut down far below what they formerly
were, and the overseers bluntly told 80
far shalt thou go and no farther" until
you call us (c0mmittee) and the Town
Clerk, (who is to act as recording secre-
tary), each to receive two dollars per look
in all eight dollars out of Mr. West
Amwell's pocket, equal in expense to five
and one-third days work on the road
Now there are eighteen road districts, and
at low estimate under this new rule it
will be necessary to call the committee
three or four times on each during the
year perhaps oftener, but TO be moderate
we will say three times. Well, three
times eighteen are fifty -four, and eight
times fifly-four are four hundred and
thirty.two dollars, for little advice how
to. run water up hill, which amount would
pay for 288 days work in the road. sect
there Ek" Well have to raise still three
hundred more next year If our committee
do not get over their superfluousness, re-
sign, or die.
Understand, we do not find fault with
the amount our officers receive for their
services. We believe they should be lib.
orally paid out Of money raised for that
purpose, but not out of the road money
by any means. Good roads are great
boon to man and beast and are an indica.
ton of civilization. 1t is generally safe
to Judge a community by the condition
of the roads. And We hereby serve no.
tice that money raised for roads cannot
be used for any other purpose and that
the matter shall be looked after in due
time.
Work on the York road has been sus.
pended for want OF funds with lots OF
money In the Collectors hands to pay
for work.
Well the committee must be praised
for one thing, at least. They have fully
demonstrated the fact that they are not
only Speculative but also Operative work.
men and have astUnished the natives OF
the East by opening ditch by the way
side to carry water up grade at tho rate
about forty five feet the hundred yards,
and il successful will have solved the
problem of perpetual motion and will be
worth millions and West Amwell should
receive the benefit of it.