Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1886-09-17

We copy from the ANNE Arundel
Advertiser" a communication pre-
pared by an intelligent correspondent
who seems to hold correct ideas on
the subject be writes about. The
matter of good county roads and well
managed railroads in this county are
of as much importance 10 Annspoli-
tans as they are to the people OF the
county.
~ would particularly call attention
to the contrast you make between
county roads and railroads, as TO
which would render the most benefit
to the county, supposing a certain
sum, say 100000, were spent upon
either.
Certainly good county reads are
an absolute necessity, there can be no
question of that proposition. Any
one who has lived 10 South river
neighborhood, say at Davidsonville,
and seen the roads over which every
thing shipped to Baltimore, or brought
from Baltimore by boat, the only
means of transportation, has had to
be hauled for some years past, can
have but one opinion as to the need
of good county roads. But there is
more than this involved when one
thinks of what is for the best interests
of the county, and of what will most
and most speedily advance its inter
nal welfare Our subject grows large
when we start TO elucidate, and "in-
telligent" consideration requires the
whole ground to be gone over, let me
but suggest points. Good county
roads take us about our own neigh
borhoods, give as easier access to our
one means OF exports, the landings
on bay or rivers. True; but the river
or bay does not serve as the. best
means OF transportation, for by far
the largest proportion of the shippers
or shipments that Anne Arundel and
Calvert should be able to make. AS
things are the conditions of shipping
prevent the use Of the very methods
suggested when you mention "a nat
ural tendency on the part of our
South and West river cultivators of
land to- adhere too closely TO the
modes of farming that were Success
full in form CIR times" If any means
is certain to make change Change
absolutely necessary, il the former
times" of prosp gritty are in any mea-
sure to succeed these latter days of
narrowed circumstances-if any
means is certain TO make change,
it is in transportation to a market
that reaches from South river to
Boston, or Portland, Ne from Balti-
more to Chicago, or even further
West. This is only attainable when
there is direct connection, without
with the main arteries
of traffic in transcontinental lines of
rail. 80.
Baltimore is the market we ship
SO much now, that, at times, q glut-
ted market dumps its suIplHs into
the bay; what should we expect If 10
q changed '"mode of farming,n truck
and fruit should become far more i'm
portant shipments than they.ane at
PRESENT., This . is the prospect in
view of the apparent failure of u heat,
corn and tobacco, 10 competition with
other markets. =
GOOD county roads would pay for
themselves in the saving to the peo-
pie who use them of wear and tear.
But the best of county roads do 10Th
Ing to develope the value of products
unless they carry those products to
q ready, a'snre and needy market.
Water transportation, except for the
very shortest distances, cannot give
what is requisite in speed, frequency,
cheapness and extent of territory.
Railroads alone furnish these; and
with good county roads leading to
quick transportation our own some
what longer distances than some have
now to go to reach the water ways,
would enhance the market value of
produ cts-coDsequently the value of
the land that they are raised upon
consequently the: income of the owner
or farmer--consequently the desirable
ity of the neighborhood for settle.
ment--consequently the general value
OF the county, aud "the modes of
farming that were successful in for
mer times" would in yielding to the
newer methods made possible by
roo dior p,aany oF oooacS - v,anLo4.