Smyrna times., 1890-02-12
For the Smyrna Times
Echoes from CheswOld.
THE HEAVY ROAD TAX-QUILTING
PARTIES. &C.

@~A@ AA@sA HNOAA AAA-QUlLTING
PARTIES, &C.
1t is wondered by some of our think.
ing people that while Chief Justice
Comegys was giving wise counsel to
the farmers of Dover hundred regard
ing the expensive policy now in Drac-
tlce collecting taxes, he did not 90 one
step further and at least criticise a
useless expenditure of money upon our
public roads. Through the winter
months this winter however excepted)
the native Delawarean is accustomed
to look for bad roads. But when
spring opens and the roads are driving
ana hardening to better conditions for
travel, the supervisor loaded with an
appropriation starts out with plow
scoup and scraper to work out his
money by heaping up several inches of
earth toward the centre until thew look
IKE huge sweet potato rows which he
calls ''piking." The public then can
about as we'll drive through plowed
helds, and if the season be wet or drv.
as the case may be, they have to en-
counter six or eight inches of mud or
slush or a sitting dust. Each recurring
summer and fall brings the same expe-
rlence. While in some places the roads
show marked improvements in the
main, this piling up of fresh dirt is a
great inconvenience to the travelling
public, and the good accomplished IS
more than counterbalanced by the bad.
We have frequently heard people speak
OF the luxury it affords them to travel
on the old hard road beds in sparcelv
settled localities where there is no an.
preparation. Then why could we not
for year or two in these depressing
times have rest from the newly and
expensive worked roads with sufficient
appropriation only to keep up bridges
and NIL up washes and jog holes, and
propOrtionately apply this saving in
reducing the tax levy. The taxes inst
now fall very heavy upon the farming
industry. One of our farmers. an
owner of about one hundred acres. saws
he paid in taxes and fire insurance
upon it for 1889 $34 60. which at the
present market price would take over
one hundred bushels of his corn crop.
More than this, nnder the great depres-
sion in husbandry his farm has proba.
bly, sunk in value $4,000. How can he
shoulder such taxes and live with
present prices of his products. Then
let us If possible have a lower rate of
taxation to help along and by all means
comfort for the traveller upon the public
road.
February 9Th, 1885, a company of
five ladies. each with an escort. met at
Mr.. and Mrs. Caleb Boggs of this town
It being quilting party. They had a
lively, gay time which was eniOyed no
less by Mrs. BOggs than her company.
and she then requested them to re.
member that five years from that night
she wanted them all to come to her
house again. This she had forgotten
however, but one of the company re-
membering the circumstances made it
known and they Immediately conceived
the idea of surprising Mrs. Boggs which
they did Thursday last, the 9Th. Il
may here be noted that in the inter
vening years death has not invaded
this little circle but the marriage rela-
ton has claimed four of them. The fact
of tardiness in this particular on the
part OF those remaining single was dis
cussed by the other side and they were
pledged, If still single at the next meet.
ing FIVE years hence, to forfeit $40 each,
Mrs. BOggs to be the treasurer. There
is every indication however that one
ten will soon and another at not a very
distant day go into the treasury Of
minister.
Weekly prayer meetings are now be-
ing held at our school house with good
attendance and an excellent feeling.
STELLA,