Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-03-18
Stanton Spectator.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH lSth 1891.
Once More.

provement of the public highways Of the
county. The city, as far as it can, either
directly or indirectly, has given the strong
est evidence that such improved transpor
tation facilities would prove beneficial tt
the general interests, and no one can doubt
the least failure upon the part of the City
Government to keep pace with the county
authorities in the progressive methods
which are essential to the general pros
perity of both town and country.
AS the most careful and conservative ano
rejecting citizens of Augusta now view the
matter, the County Government has
reached a point in its wise and liberia
policy concerning the public highways,
which has guided the administration Of
late Yeas, that demands for the best inter
ests of the people continuing and ener'
getic advance. Visit the people at theiI
houses-converse with them at the many
towns and places of public resort in this
great Empire County of the Valley,-com
mune with them on Court-days-talk with
them as they visit the stores and trading
places in the eity-see them row as they
deplore the frightful condition of the roads,
denying them the possibility of wagon
transportation upon which every farmer
more or less, is dependent, and the united
and often complaining spirit of the inter
views results in decided expression OF
sentiment, that theywould gladly welcome al
any reasonable cost, and would sustain
any we'll devised policy that would secure
easy graded and Macadamized roads.
Some persons, who have not fully co.,
sidered the public interests as they have tt
be managed by the County Government,
often fall into erroneous conclusions, be-
cause of failure to take in the whole situa
tioD, and are circumscribed in their views
to neighborhood and local boundaries
All are agreed that the policy of building
the superior stone and IRON bridges, till all
but one that are necessary are now giving
security and comfort and safety from all
apprehension Of high water and dangerous
fordings, was the proper thing to do. Five
of such superb improvements, built during
like number of past years, have con
tributed in value to the property of the
people, and advanced the substantial inter
ests of the county to ten times the total OF
the cost of construction, and the people
v ould not now do without them for fifty
times their cost.
The construction of the Shenaa doah Val
ey railroad and the extension of the Val
ley line southwark from Staunton materi
ally altered the face of the map of those
sections of the county as avenues reach
ing the steel-ribbed arteries of travel AND
commerce were required on new locations
Taking this whole time of six to eigh'
years passed since these changed feature
of communication were required to be takei
in hand, and we say, knowing whereof wt
speak, that there is not County Govern
ment in the State, or anywhere else 70
that matter, which has been more libera
or taken a broader view of the recessite
Of the situation 10 the matter of appropria
tions for opening and building new roads
than has been done by the Augusta Count,
Government. All this progress has beel
sustained by The people, and for the simp''
and sound reason that it promoted thei
highest interests.
AdVerting again to the fact that th'
policy of the County Government con
menced several years ago has proven to hav'
been wise and judicious and that con
tinung progress en- the same lines is de
mended, it will he well enough to maxi |
reference to some work in hand which
highly commepds the forethought anc
action, which is, as they mature, yet to as
sst in opening the way for intelligent AMI
decisive advancement-we allu6e to the |
commission appointed by Judge Stout al
the Augusta term of the County Court |
1888. That order embraced the whole
scope of enquiry and investigation neces
sary to arrive at definite conclusion OF
how and when the great interest could be
taken in hand and carried through to com
pletion. Messrs. David Beard, Michael
McAleer. s. Frank Clemmer, W. II. Gam
BILE, and Fl. 3. Sieg constitute the members
of the commission. This was no spas
modic movement. 1t was taken in order
that patient and careful investigation should
be made not only as to the general direction
of leading highways and tributaries, but
for improving grades and making altera-
tions preparatory to Macadamizing. The
work is comprehensive, and time is re-
quired to 60 through it, and the report may
be expected in time for appropriate con-
sideratiop, in connection with which there
are other matters to come up.
For road purposes there is an annual
county and district tax collected. 1t is ex-
pended during the year of its collection,
mostly during the fall months. The re-
pairs accomplish but little except in dry
weather. In winter the roads are gener
ally in quagmire condition, and all regu-
lar or comfortable transportation over
them cut off. The whole tax, except SO
much as is appropriated to land-damages
for new roads, is absorbed, and the benefits
vanish before another period of collection
of the tax comes around. Thus the circle
is annually made without profit, and the
deplorable condition in winter not pre-
vented. That is enc feature of our public
economy which might be truly character
ICED IS public waste instead of profit.
For change for the better, the revenue
annually collected would admit of special
appropriations for Maoadamizing limited
sections letting others equally demanding
such attention receive the go-by, and dur
ing thirty or forty years of time all might
be of the improved order. This plan is
not good economy, and not worth con-
misunderstanding not by the people Of
Augusta county who rank with the fore
most in estimating good farming and live,
industrial progress.
For another change for the better, the