Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-06-02
THE NECESSITIES OF THE DAY.

THE NECESSITIES OF THE DAY.
The people of Augusta county have had
under consideration the existing necessities
for better roadways, and all agree that the
situation should be remedied; but the day
for final decision in the premises is post
poned for what has been thought to be a
more convenient season. The proper course
to pursue is to clear the way of one trouble
before another comes. Another is here,
and delay increases danger, and it cannot
wisely or safely be postponed. The county
is doing injustice to itself by negative &C
ton in the matter of improving the roads,
and the thoughtful of its citizens cannot
with propriety assent much longer to SIM
liar course in respect to the necessity which
exists for bridges over its larger streams.
The Spring season, with its constant rains
and sweeping floods, brings upon the sur
face another question of vital Importance,
and the people cannot close their eyes to it
if they would. Augusta county always has
had-and its people should be especially
anxious to MAINTAIN 1.-THE reputation of
being community of pronounced progress
and influence in the commonwealth. In
that connection local pride and interest
should stimulate us to keep pace with other
sections of the State that are now moving
forward with fleet gait in the race of i'm
provement, mainly through the advantages
obtained in local development. Why
should the wealth, the power, the pride,
and the fame associated with Augusta
county remain inactive in reference to
those essentials upon which its prosperity
must in great measure rely for new and
needed start? The county has but to will
a prudent and powerful progress in order
that it may be won, and that without SO
much as feeling its cost.
To return to the proposition in view
when commencing this article, namely
another necessity requiring action and in
close association within fact part Of the
system of improved highways-the need OF
bridges over streams that are often lmpass-
able. The two largest streams in the coun-
ty, the Middle and the South rivers, in their
often impossible condition, have frequent
ly this Spring endangered the lives Of per-
sons when upon necessary travel, and there
are also instances that can be named where
property was sacrificed, because 20 bridges
existed where the public needs call for theil
construction. The city papers have fire.
quently referred to these matters as they
have occurred; and again the Waynesboro'
Free Press records thrilling scene which
was enacted at the ford of South River al
that town, two weeks ago. Capt. VIM. L.
Balthis, former resident and Mayor Of
Staunton, who now resides in Albemarle,
in company with his brother-in-law, Mr.
Schad, and his wife, of Baltimore, III at
tempting to cross the river, were all saved
perhaps from drowning by the fortunate
presence of mind, and the determined eff
forts all three of them exercised. For the
want of a bridge, the life of a lady was los
few years ago at Waynesboro' 1t is sac
enough to realize the fact that persons are
often required to take such risks, but how
inexpressibly painful would it be that an
other life should be sacrificed because o.
the delay to build bridge.
Heretofore we have raised a warning
voice and invited the public authorities te
consider the fearful responsibility which
exists because there are no bridges where
the public necessities and the safety of trav
oilers imperatively require that they should
be erected. A repetition of the admonitior
is not called for, because everybody is in
formed of the danger by which not only
citizens of the county, but strangers Also
are imperiled. At Waynesboro' and Other
points on the South River-at Dudley's
Mill and several other fords on Middle Riv
er-there is always danger when the streams
are swollen. From the Valley road down
to Port Republic. about fifty miles by the
course of the stream, the inhabitants of The
Middle River valley are subjected to con
slant danger. great loss of time, and delays
in going to the railroads and to Stanton
there being not bridge on that long sec
tion of the river.
Apart from the considerations here pre-
scented, the failure to provide safe crossings
over the often-turbulent streams, contin
uing so for many days at time. is an in
justice to the lines of railway which trav
erse the county, by practically denying t.
the people who may desire to reach then
the privilege, during floods, Of doing SO. II
this view of the case, too, the estimate O.
inconvenience to the public is no small
matter. The railroads are tax payers, anG
the quick dispatch of business for the ben
eft of the communities tributary to them
is a matter comm ending itself to timely
provision for promoting rather than with
holding, our share of the mutual privileges
which should at all times exist.
If the improvement of the roads be de
ferred, who will say that the bridges SHOULD
policy, but the last would hardly be consid
cred less than narrowing realization Of {;
continued procrastination, which nigh
call another and still another victim from
quence of such fatal indifference. Let thu
continued apprehensions of danger ant
death be a thing of the past. If the bust
ness interests of large, wealthy, and Chris
tian communities can say that they are no
called upon by considerations of intercours
and the common necessities incident to ev
cry neighborbood to render their associa
tions more permanent ars.,s ...oTe prosper
GUS, surely those who are required to pas
along the roads are entitled to some SAT-
passage-way over the turbulent waters
which so often flow across the highways.
The citizen who reflects upon the condi
ton of these things as they are will surel,
ask change for the better. The people O
Augusta, as individuals, are careful ant
provident in their ways and methods, ant
will certainly do justice to themselves as {
large, wealthy, and influential community