The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-02-07
A Road Meeting.

81 suppose the road question will never
be set at rest, until some measures are taken
for permanent relief on that subject.
"The proposal in the last JOURNAL to
circulate an agreement among farmers for
their signatures, &c., is something tangible.
course to pursue, and see no better way to
arrive at that "best" course than for those
interested in the roads TO come together.
Then after some free discussion, followed
| perhaps with an understanding of general
agreement, each individual proceeding to
do his part, there might soon be a hopeful
beginning. would suggest that such
meeting be held at Rising Sun, Cat a
place to be deslgnaied) at Up. m. on 7th
day the 9Th INST. If the notice for that
period would be too short, defer it week,
but let il be in time to lave something done
this spring.
81 think there is now common agree
ment that for portions of our roads, where
the earth is of certain character, we bave
no remedy that does not involve stone. In
looking at this remedy, many of our tax
payers stand aghast at the cost. wish here
TO say just enough to assure them that such
improvement may be made with no in
crease of taxation. Indeed had the money
devoted to road mending, 10 Cecil Co., dur
ing the last 40 years been rightly applied.
we might to-day be driving over roads, good
at all seasons, with but fractional part of
the present annual expense for repairs.
''We have piece of stone road, the work
of intervals during the past 40 years, the
fair cost of which would put down at so
cents per linear yard.
"Altho' for years past, it has horne us
up entirely out of the mud, 1 had not been
quite satisfied with its surface An oppor-
,unity has occurred during the present win
ter to coat it with gravel.
"We have now a road over which light
vehicles may be driven at any desired speed
or the heaviest loads driven without injury
to the road, especially if on wagons with
broad wheels.
Now, lest have no better opportunity,
will here outline an idea for doing some-
thing. Let any one interested in given
: piece OF road, with or without an under.
l standing with the Commissioners, haul
stone for a continuous solid track, so fan as
: his time and the materials will carry him,
, and level and pound them compactly to-
S gether. Then put on just little earth so
I horse can pass over.
e IF there is no opportunity to finish this
] piece during the year, add to it so far as he
can, and fix that also, so that it will be
passable. If he can get aid from the county
! or from his neighbors to hurry on this i'm.
, provement, very we'll. But don't wait for
D such combined action or assurance of pay, or
e the work will not be begun while he lives.
"If we have no steam roller to pack such
sections of stoned road it would be much
better to leave to the weather and the effec.
of travel for time, to make proof of their
f firmness at all points, and ultimately they
should be covered with finely broken stone,
unless gravel is to be had within practicable
distance.
There will come in duty of the Com
missioners to furnish a stone breaker where
/ ever needed, to prepare the material for the
last smooth finish. But the original bed
ding should not wait for the breaker. Stones
f from our field or quarries put directly into
the road, still having a considerable size,
will cost far less, and in the end make a
more enduring track"
Unless stones are to some degree
: of fineness they will not become firm
: ly imbedGed, but slip about and
work onto the surface where they be
come rolling stones in dry weather,
Gripping horses and breaking
wagons.
: Next Saturday, (to morrow the
day our correspondent suggests for
meeting, will not answer so yell as a
day next week. Tie Grange will
have a special meeting to morrow
afternoon, and We will suggest next
Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Re-
port at the MIDLAND office and we
will have secured a place for the
meeting in the mean time. We hope
the people generally will make All
effort to meet, and hear what is said
and also exchange views. The meet
ing together will place no one under
any obligation to take part in the
suggested movement. We would
urge the President of the Board OF
County Commissio ners to attend but
the Board will be in session that
day. Come out, farmers ana all
public spirited men, on that day
whether wet or dry, and endeavor to
make start in this work.