The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-08-13


which is just now claiming large amount
OF public attention, we can only devote a
limited amount of space at a time, and
would therefore request that writers talk
straight to the point. We are not respon-
sible for the views expressed by any one.
Ed
ROADS.
The improvement Of our public roads is
a subject in which every citizen is inter.
ested, and now rs "The Road Commits
sion," appointed by the Governor of the
State, is making a tour of the Common
wealth to get the views of the people, It is
high time we should bring this matter
home and think aboutit. The commission
is composed of thirteen members with
Hon. A. d. Harlan of Chester, as Presi-
dent The duties of the commission are.
to get the views OF the people on tho
question of improvement of roads and
suggestions as to amendments and altera-
tions of present road laws, and then in
their report draft road law that they
think will benefit and suit the peoples the
law so drafted by them will be presented
to the next Legislature and will probably
become the law. The printed questions
prepared by the commission for discussion
at their meetings have been published in
these columns. The first Of the questions
is one of the most important to our farmers
and laborers. At the meeting of the COM
mission, held Aug. 5th, in Towanda, Brad
ford county, as well as at the Titusville
meeting, Aug. 18th, this was the principal
| N r H.
ford county meeting a large majority of
the taxpayers there favor the work tax.
Also at the Ttusville meeting majority
favored the work tax; yet at Titusvile
there were many, (but not principally
| farmers or actual laborers) who were in
favor of all road taxes being paid in mon
| ey. Ths class who favor the cash tax are
generally those who do not work out their
taxes themselves. Do the people of Forest
county want to pay all their road taxes in
money? Do you want to pay your money
into the hands of political machine and
be prevented from working out your own
taxesP If not it is time that you protest
against it and see that your protest is heard
both by the Road Commission and the
representatives you elect to serve you in
the next Senate and Legislature. That
we need better roads and better and moro
practical rood law are questions conceded
by all candid citizens. What we want is
simple, practical road law; not one run
out into fine spun theories that are difficult
to understand and impossible to put into
practice. Take for instance the theory
advocated at the TitusvilIe meeting of the
~ nFsliG az 4, 81
given SO much prominence in the Oil City
Derrick and Pittsburg Dispatch, without
giving what his theory was, and ask any
reasonable man if it can be put into prac-
tico or is over necessary in this part of the
country, and he will say no. How would
he build road2 He would have road
grade not over degrees; clear the road
out 40 feet wide, dig off all the top soil or
loose ground down to solid earth. Then
put on layer 6 to inches deep of broken
stone, crushed in a steam crusher, then
cover with sand, roll with steam roller,
and then put the ground back on top and |
roll it solid with steam roller; all culverts |
to be made of stone and underneath have |
stone foundation; center OF road to be 8 |
or 10 inches higher than at sides and this |
is the way, SO he says, that Napoleon built |
his roads over the Alps. Well suppose he |
did, who cares. Are such roads necessary
in Forest countyP
While it is true that much of our road |
tax is squandered in the manner in which |
it is generally worked out, yet is it not tho |
fault of the manner of working it and not |
that of the principle. Pathmasters have |
got too careless, because they are not ap- |
parently responsible to any one for what |
they do, and in too many instances the |
object is to get in all the extra time possi-
BILE. Would il not bs better if the office |
of pathmaster was abolished and the road |
commissioners made responsible for the |
working out of the tax? Give them the |
authority to divide the township into three |
districts and hold each one accountable |
for the work in his district, and require |
him to give bond for the faithful perform
ance of his duties. They also should haye !
power to say where and when taxes must |
be worked, and if any taxpayer refuses or |
neglects to work his taxes at the time and |
place required, then be should be COM |
PEELED to pay his taxes in cash. Roads |
ought to be repaired just as soon in the |
spring as the ground gets dry enough for
work, and as early in summer as possible, |
so that they would havo time to settle and |
dry before the rains of fall. 1t would also |
be great saving if the Road Commits |
sioners were required to keep some one to |
walk the road in wet weather and after |
big rains to open bitches, turn water off,
&c. One patrolman in this way might in |
one day prevent damage that would re-
quire several men several days to repair |
if the water was left to run on and wash |
the roads as 1t often does. II the work |
was all to be done under the immediate |
direction of the Commissioners it would |
be done better, the road machines could |
be used to a much better advantage, and |
much moro work would be done for tho |
same taxes, because the Commissioner,
being under bond to perform his duties
and render true account OF his work,
would not permit tho men to idle their
time telling stories or lying in the shade.
Space will not permit discussion of all