The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-01-03
Friday. Jan. 3, 1890.
Roads.

The almost continuous wet weather., with
lis accompaniment of muddy roads, has
brought the general public face to face with
this uncomfortable and improbable state Of
affairs, till they begin to realize in some re-
spects the actual loss to every business,
which is the sure fruits Of bad roads. This
loss touched every branch of business and
touches them at every point. There is no
one employed in any kind of bushes that is
not injured directly by bad roods. The
burthen of expense TO farmers and all per-
sons or parties who have heavy hauling to
do is very great. The lighter loads and
longer time to make each round trip which
is demanded and compelled by the bad road,
if computed in the aggregate would reach
into thousands of dollars yearly to every
busy community. The injury is not con-
fined to teaming, but the lighter vehicle
user comes in for full proportionate tax
on his time and bust mess, and still heavier
expense in the abuse, wear and tear of We.
hicles and horses. The farmer the mer-
chant, the mechanic, the hiring day wage
Garner, are all injured in their several pur-
suits by this common enemy of mankind,
bad roads, for so closely are all these relat-
ed, one to the other, and dependent on each
other, that what affects the prosperity of
one hurts that of all 10 greater or less
degree.
What remedy can be devised, while most
effectual will prove most economical also, is
the question which all are debating and try
ing to solve Alright. Some of the more san
guine and enterprising spirits advise sweep.
ing measures, and an issue of bonds suf-
fcient to accomplish the work in short
time, others advise gradual approach to
completion of such an extensive work, by
raising certain amount of money yearly
and expanding it in piking a piece of the
worst road in the district everp year. This
is the pay as you 60 plan.
theoretically, raising the money by bonds
and having the work done by large contract
in a short Observation-Disclosures Is the
more economical plan, but practically bonds
are dangerous thing to dabble with.
Going in debt is full of hidden dangers.
There is also another obstacle to the bond
plan. A district cannot issue bonds but
the whole country must be made party to
the transaction. A district can have an
extra tax levied, collected and applied to
the roads in the district. In addition to
this fund voluntary contributions could no
doubt be secured to hel on with such work.
Suppose, for illustration, the project for i'm
proving the roads in the Sixth district is
inaugurated, the railroad company might
he prevailed upon to contribute something
toward making good pike on the main
thOroughfare leading to each of its depots.
The Cecil Paper Mill is vitality interested
in having solid road between the mill and
Rising Sun depot. A road on which four
tons more could be hauled averaging every
day the year through with the same team
and driver, would be great saving to the
mill expenses, and this we believe is
moderate estimate. So indispensable is the
road to the mill that it might Justly be C. n
sidered part Of the necessary plant, and
the better the plaut the more profitable the
work. This side light on the subject shows
that all who have heavy teaming would be
correspondingly benefited by solid roads.
The modes of transportation and travel
are so changed from what used to be, that
moments reflection reveals the fact that
nearly all the travel and transportation of
district are accomplished within the bounds
of the district, very little extending beyond
its limits. The haul of produce ends at the
depot, where the back load is secured. The
carriage travel reaches as far as the depot
and very little goes further. II the trip
embraces several miles the carriage is ex-
changed for the cars. Every important
consideration points to district improve
ment of the roads, and a well matured plan,
which embraced continuity, looking to the
turnpiking of the main roads in the Sixth
district, fairly inaugurated, would, when
completed add more to the value of all
property and every line of business than
any other scheme that could be devised.
Farmers who had very bad roads passing
their places would doubtless give consider
able voluntary help by hauling and dump
lug stones, during slack intervals of work,
on the road side for the breaker. The work
once begun, every one would be willing to
contribute something extra near lis place to
help hasten along the work.