Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-04-03
Augusta County in the Line of Progress.

Augusta county has already spanned the
streams of the county at nearly all the dan
gerous fordings with superb iron bridges,
and in short while will complete that fea-
ture of wise progressive policy, leaving a
handsome income no longer needed for
bridges to increase the fund for macadam-
iziDg the roads. We add another testimo-
NAL to-day from the Norfolk Landmark re-
latipg to the policy which the county gov
eminent is pursuing. Before coming to
that, we take from Bradstreet's, that inval
liable journal which every week ably dis
cusses questions of public economy, an ar
ticle on the subject of country roads. For
Augusta county we can safely answer that
she is already on that line of progress,
where she intends to remain, aud will ulti
mately equip herself with splendid "sys
tenn of the best roads.
Bradstreet's, from which we have hereto
fore repeatedly Reproduced wise views, FUR
nishes the following in its issue of the 3oSh
OF March. Our people can here see the
progress making in other States upon line
of sound economical public policy which
our special board Of commissioners and the
County Government, we hope, will soon see
their way clearly to adopt with vigorous
sustaining measures.
"The subject of improving the condition
of the highways of the country, and espe-
cially of the country roads, is attracting
degree of attention which the most enthusi-
astic agitators of the question have hardly
dared to expect. In Pennsylvania very in
telligent work has been done, and num-
Der of bills are now before the legislature
for consideration. In Tennessee the sub
iect is being taken up with spirit, and the
newspapers are calling attention to the eft
feet of the condition of the roads on trans
portation rates ard on the value of farms.
In Louisiana the matter is being constantly
discussed. One of the New OIleaus Journals
supports proposition for the holding of
convention in that city to take into consid-
Grafton the subject of Improving the roads
Other southern journals recommend the
holding of general conference on the SUB
jiect of road.imprOvemept. at which there
can be had general discussion of the SUD
iect and com parison of the various sys
TENS in operation in the respective states.
The subject has also received marked at
tention in other sections. 1t seems reason
able 10 conclude that before the subject is
allowed to pass out of the public attention
some important steps will have been taken
in the direction of improving the country's
road system.
The Norfolk Londmark, which from first
to last sustains the policy for that section
of country upon which the county of Au-
gusta has entered is again ''tapping the
drum of public spirit" demonstrating the
value of the improvement Of the country
roads. As stated, We reproduce it that our
our people may again see the attention the
policy of Augusta county is awakening in
other sections of the State.
"The county of Augusta is becoming
Justly lannon's for its excellent public roads,
and our valued contemporary, the StauntOn
Spectotor, feels proper pride in having been
through it's consistent agitation of the sub
iect, chiefly instrumental in securing to the
people this great boon. La speaking of its
work in this direction, 1t makes these very
sensible remarks, which are applicable
here, as well as in Augusta, and are as per
tInent to our own advocacy of every posi-
BILE public Improvement, as to the SPEcTA-
TOR:
Tue people know that it is true economy in
every sense Of the word to possess good roads
of easy grade and at all times on firm beds.
and as such their cost becomes the best dtvid.
end payt G capital, and a chief element in
creatipg the greatest prosperity.
The frequency OF refer, nee 10 this particular
feature of the public pro .ress of the county
does not arise from disIrust of cOnsummatio
n DuDiiG 1OliCV
universally agreed to. Whatever is right OF T.
self In these matters is worthy OF constant ad
vocacv, because we know of nothing.-a view
of the case already presented which has SO
iarge a claim upon The pubic thought and il
SO promotIve OF the public Interest.
The name Of having perfect roads and
streets with all other essential public con
veniences ia worth millions Of dollars to
county or city, and our interest 10 the
locality here is the only apology We make
for constantly tapping the drum of public
spirit"