The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1889-04-12
THE DARLINGTON ROAD LEAGUE.
IT, uIstory nndIt.CInims.

This article may not be out OF place In your
columns at this time, when the subject of secur-
ing permanently good roads is receiving such
marked attention in all directions. The cOun-
try around Darlington. highly favored as IL is by
nature In the fertility of the soil as well as the
beauty of It's scenery, has always been noted Tor
its bad roads. This has proved great detrment to
our people, and hindered progress and improve
lnent. Deeply impressed with these facts, some
inf0rmaly to discuss the situation and devise
sNme remedy for existing evils. 1t was
re\rlved to issue call Tor public meeting
In Me Town Hail at once, and that resulted
IN f&mng an organization known as THE
DarlinNtOn Road League" having for its
object re improvement of our public high,
ways and $Sr its motto, The greatest good
to the create lumber" ignoring all party
lines. Liberal subscriptions were then and there
made and the fee for membership was liked
at tho low igure 81 per annum, 10 secure
large following. Twelve responsible citizens
were selected to draft by laws. elect officers and
carry on the work for the League. AS might
have been expected some were found who with
held their aid and support and were skeptical
OF any good result in this movement looking TO
the public welfare. Nothing daunted, however.
and with winter close at hand, the majority OF
the council Of twelve determined to commence
operations at once. and in a few weeks the town
OF Darlington was well covered with oyster shells
from one end to the other; the rough places
were made smooth and what was once a terror
TO pedestrians and the public generally was a
On the opening of spring, work was commence
ed and the roads under able supervision and with
could he procured the result being good roads
all summer and the balance Of the year. Thus
the wisdom Of mendnR roads with shell and
judgment in the early spring WAS made manifest
aud every one realized the benefits and COM
mended our enterprise. Valuable assistance was
received from our County Commissioners, who
were not slow in apprecating the i'm portance and
influence Of our organization, and our friend,
VIM. K. Mccain, co-operated at all times with
us and was ever ready with words OF appreciation
and encouragement.
Last autumn several boat loads of shells were
again procured and spread over considerable
extent OF the road. so that places that had been
almost impas sable quagmirts were made smooth
and firm as barn floor throughout the entire
winter
All this has not been accomplished without
considerable trouble and outlay, as well as vex
atoms: chiefly by reason of supineness and indif-
ference of those from whom we might have ex-
pected more active interest. Some who start
ed in with us have dropped out of the ranks
Those who have born the burden and heat of the
day now feel that they have right to claim a
more liberal support from the pubic generally,
who have been recipients of such great bene-
fits. Let them see to 1t that the good work shall
go hravey on and that the Road League shall
have received permanent life. Every one
should Joln in strengthening the hands Of the
managers by handing III their names as members
and paying the annual subscription of one dol
lar. 1t certainly would be most unwise to drift
back into old ruts and be enslaved by that most
'ernicious system that has been for years barren
VI any good results.
In conclusion we would commend our policy
and principles to our neighbours in other districts
where they need such reforms, and to those at
home we would express the hope that word to
the wise is sufficient.