The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1889-02-13
What Shall BE Done with our
ROalsg
Irtinsburg Statesman.

W A11 SHAH he Done With Our
Nfaftinsbnrg Statesman.
The article on County Roads,
which appeared in our columns a
couple of weeks since, has created
some fnterestiof1 which we wish to
! take advantage, and submit few
remarks on the same subject. The
time is likewise propitioas. 0ur
farmers have little to do now be-
sides getting to market the product
of a summers labor. And at this
time when most used for heavy
hanling, our roads are impossible.
What slialI we do with them?
The evil is plain enough, but
what of the remedy? In fact, any
one. familiar with the way these
roads were laid out, need not won
der at their condition. Nor should
any one who for moment consid-
ers how our road levy s are expend-
ed, be surprised that they do not
improve. The whole machinery by
which our roads are managed, is
sadly out Of joint.
The supervision is given to a
Board of County Commissioners
They meet four times a year, con
tinue in session three days, and are
paid for their services $500 day.
In this short period, without pre-
vious training, they are expected to
construct all the roads in the Coun-
ty, pass hundreds of dollars of or
ders, decide intricate cases of fidu-
ciary accounts, regulate the Coun-
TVS fiscal affairs, and what not?
Generally they have never seen the
roads provided for; just as seldom
are they acquainted with the agents
to whom they entrust the peoples
funds, and they are not required to
see what becomes of the money.
There is no one to give directions,
and no one to see that they are exc
cuted.. The Commissioners, how
ever, are not to blame. The law it.
self is fault.
Still worse is the system of Road
Surveyors. Farmers are compelled
by this system to assume the re-
sponsible duties of this office, will
ing or unwilling. A hundred dol
lars are appropriated to repair and
Improve 5 or 6 miles of road. In
addition to this, all male inhabitants
over Fl years of age, are required to
contribute two days of free labor.
The result is, every one feels like a
galley slave, serving some hated
master, shirks his duty, and does
nothing. There is neither the hope
of reward, nor the fear of punish
ment, to impel them to do their du-
ty. The farmers work and the
road work are incompatible; when
the former can be done the latter is
neglected. Accordingly, it is only
during wet spells when the ground
cannot be worked, that each Sur
veyor puts in time enough to spend
his quotation money and keep from
being indicted. Free labor is also
a farce. One man working for him
self, will do as much as half dozen
working for the public. Many even
do not work at all, and defy the
Constable when he comes around
with bill for their days labor.
Those whose large possessions give
them an interest in good roads, are
no better than the poor man who
tolls for days wages.
And thus we move along from
year to year. IF we make any adj
vance, it is like the snail's progress,
in a backward direction. This is
not exaggeration. Every one liv-
ing in the country will recognize it
as true.
The heaviest County expense is
incurred in maintaining our Roads
and Bridges. Therefore, we should
not be satisfied with a system from
which, while costing SO largely, we
can hope for no permanent good.
But rather should we keep up try
ing until something is accomplished,
that will not be like throwing mon
ey into a fire.