Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-03-27
Augusta County.

well be proud of the many strong and per,
manent iron bridges that have been erected
the past few years. They have a rock
crusher and in time will have their Leading
roads macadamized. They should thank
the Staunton Spectator for the many bless
inge they are receiving from the improve
ments mentioned. All other sources CON-
bined have not done so much for road i'm
provements as the editors of that news
paper. Let US follow the example set Us
by our neighboring Virginia county: Oi
course we cannot build all the bridges
needed in one year, but we can at least
build one bridge each year and improve our
roads to such an extent that they will be
passable in winter.-Mount0in NescS, rem
dleton County, ". Va.
The above is reproduced that the people
of Augusta may see the good effects OF
their sound progressive public policy. We
could furnish them with similar references
to their projected county improvements
pending the perfecting of plans and pro-
viding the means to build a first class
system of roads that the people will be pre-
pared to sustain. Much consideration has
been bestowed upon these subjects and al
ways with profit, because the 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 dividend
paying capital, and a chief element in
creating the greatest prosperity.
The frequency of reference to this par.
ticular feature of the public progress of the
county does not arise from distrust of con-
summation of the scheme, for no public
policy was ever SO universally agreed to-
Whatever is right of itself in these matters
is worthy of constant advocacy, because we
know of nothiDg,-a view of the case al
ready presented, which has SO large
claim upon the public thought and SO pro-
motive of the public interest.
Not only through the medium of the
press, as in the instance quoted above, but
from other sources we have knowledge of
the good name, we will not say the county
is making, for that Augusta has enjoyed
throughout her history, but, in the particu-
lar progress referred to she has become a
leader and earned recognition which should
be highly priced by her citizens. This is
not and should not be of small considera-
ton to our people, and if capable, in the
least, of uttering words of good counsel, we
would invoke them to cherish county pride
as they would guard individual honor
The investments which secure substantial
wealth and enduring prosperity to COM
munities confer the highest benefit upon
each inhabitant and open wide the oppor-
tsnity for the advancement of judicious
enterprise through private capital and
energy. Working up our highways and
byWays to the scale here set forth, the
double achievement is accomplished Of
securing inestimable public benefits, which
confer upon the people in their private pur
suits corresponding values.
We desire to repeat the statement Of
fact in this connection, in which the people
Of Augusta can take great pleasure unto
themselves. The Judge of the Court,
the Board of Supervisors, and the Clerk,
as we'll as the District Road Board, ard the
Special Commissioners, are all earnestly
engaged in constant efforts to adjust and
put into execution complete and economi-
cal system for the great work in hand. The
necessary bridges yet to be built are two at
most, and soon the bulk of the resources as
signed to that department of the public
interests can be wholly devoted to the
roads. We doubt if there is an instance in
the State where so much valuable progress
has been effected in so short time and in
volving considerable outlay that has fallen
so lightly upon the Taxpayers. and it will
be found that it can be continued upon a
larger scale and thereby the sooner COM
pleted upon very light addition to the
levy. This expense securing such valuable
and permanent improvement becomes divi-
dend-paying capital in the splendid roads
which would be the pride of the people.
Bountiful provision is regularly made for
every charge upon the county, and, at the
same time, there is no waste of money,
as is often the case in the various
xamifcations of expenditure which officials
sometimes fail to detect. 1t is an observed
fact that the poor of the county at the
farm and under the care and protection OF
the Superintendent and County Govern
ment, have abundance, and are conf orta
bic in every respect, and, at the same time,
through The prudence and economy prac
ticed, there is no establishment of it's kind
In the Stale conducted at less per capita
expense. And so 1t is in every department
of the public interest deriving itt support
under the watchiulness and care of the
County Government. A people having
such guardians can well afford to be Liberal
to themselves, knowing that wise economy
does not forbid judicious expenditure, and
that their union, safely directed, lays well
the foundation Of good prosperity.
The National Association of the Alum ri
of the University of Virginia will meet this
year in Washington on April 20. A large
- ovoootad audit 10