Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1886-03-16

HOPE FOR OUR PUBLIC ROADS.


Since the roads over Severn.
for example have been ebelled il has
beeD, ii is said, snhject Of common
remark that tired horse, after plod-
ding over the old roads at a snail's
pace, will start of voluntarily at a
brisk trot when the shell-road is
struck; and on the other hand that q
fresh horse will dr. p q lively gait for
spiritless walk when the shells are
left behind.
Oh, the months-in life. time
move too long-that many of our peo-
pie have wasted over bad roads
As we have no stone TO speak of in
the tide-water portion of the State,
and few grayel-pits, oyster-shells.
which we can get from the shucking
houses at very low figures, are our
natural and only good attainable
road material.
In some respects they are not so
good as stone, of course; but that
they will make beautiful and service
able roads is equally true. The she'll
roads out OF New Orleans and Mobile
have been famous for many years. -
The shell-rOad from New Haven TO
Fair Haven has gwen satisfaction for
thirty years. To come nearer home,
who wants to see better roads than
oyster-shells have made from Balti
more down towards North Point and
around Canton; and the roads on the
Government Farm, shelled many
years ago, arc still good
In some European countries dis
lance is estimated chiefly by time and
the way-farer will be told that such
place is 50 many hours away
Reckoning in that manner. good
shell-road the length of the county
will briog West River aud Egypt
within half their present distance OF
Annapolis, aud will bring the West
Riyiaas aud the Egyptians" ten
times as frequently to our city. to the
great benefit not onlv Of themselves
bur our merchants and of hnuse-keep
ers also. Now this is exactly what
can be accomplished within another
year, if the present road policy of the
County Commissioners is persisted
in, as any one can see who considers
what has been done within the past
two years. Under the wise counsels
of the present and of the preceding
Board of Commissioners The road
fund has been largely expended in
shelliug the roads, aud the farmers
have shown their appreciation of it
by supplying the supervisors With
teams tree OF charge, TO do the haul
ing. Mark the result! Already the
public road is shelled from Brooklyn
Bridge to Shcminant's, aud from Win
chesters To the proposed road connect
ing with the proposed Severn river
bridge, fully twelve miles; and the
old Baltimore stage road, round the
Lead of Severn, has been shelled over
ten miles; 10 lutte while too the
road from Annapolis to South river
bridge Will be she'll road five miles
more On Thursday Of last week
twenty teams were engaged in haul
iuH S1Cnc III tnC ldcb ndtACO tO8us--
Over 81, 900 bushels of shells have
been used on roads since January LIST,
OF this year.
Perhaps the most hopeful and graft
flying circumstance connected with it
all is the liberality and public spirit
shown by the farmers and our own
citizens in voluntary contributions of
teams and money towards the good
work. For it should be remembered
that if u team cannot be loaned by
any one be can hire ole for 81 25 y
day; aud the county slauds ready to
furnish drivers aud shells. On Fri
day last three OF our citizens autho-
rzed the Clerk OF the County Lom-
nlssioners to put them down each tor
Que team for Que week. Gentlemen
will please walk up, 10 that Clerks
flee and do likewise j. w. r.
Bur little business was done 10
either branch Of Congress. The
death Of Representative Hahn Of
Louisiana was announced on the
door OF the House.
Advertise in the EVENING CAPT.
TAI if you want tito pay.