The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-03-06
FOR BETTER ROADS.
Good Roads Mean Larger Sales and
More Ramuneratlve Prices for
all Products of the Soil.

PART III.
BELAIR. Feb. 27.-The farmers of
Hartford County have become deeply
interested in the subject of better
highways. and public meeting
looking to the Improvement of the
public roads was held in the court.
mouse at Belair to-day. A morning
aud afternoon session was held. and
there was a good attendance of repre-.
sentative farmers of the county. The
convention was held under the
auspices of the Farmers Club of
Hartford County, of which George
E Silver is president and WIN. l..
Amoss and Joseph T. Hopes sscre.
taries.
THE HIGHWAYS OF HARTFORD.
At the morning session an address
was made by Prof. Lewis NJ. Haunt,
A. NJ. professor Of civil engineering
in the University of Pennsylvsnia.
His SUBJECT was "The Highways of
Hartford, and How to Improve
Them" Tho professor spoke fot
about an hour. and his address was
full .of practical suggestions. He
said in part: The prevailing opinion
that any one who can deIve or pillow
can build a road IL an error which
has led to incalculable mischief and
waste in many directions. Our
American method of building roads
il radically defective in that it places
the executive authority In the hands
uf men selected, not because of any
peculiar qualifications for the work,
nut simply because of their popu-
lArity and influence. A good road
maker should be man of broad
education, of broad views, of ex.
cellent judgment, endowed with
authority so vested as not to he
abused. One principal reason why
our roads are no better Is because
we do not give them the intelligent
supervision they need. and because
We are too jealous of the limited
authority placed in the hands OF
those elected to supervise them. A
line should be found requiring the
least work in construction, the best
grades, suitable foundation and
materials. such rs will accommodate
the greatest traffic with the least
damage to property. special atten'
ton should be paid to " th0rOus h
system of drainage for both surface
and subsoil waters. The elements
entering intO the composition Of q
road are earth. water and stone, hui
it is no inore possible fer an amateur
to combine them into a good road
than it il for novice to mix a batter
of -four, water. salt and yeast int
good bread. Skilled supervision i
the first seNfd most important stel
t0warsShe goal of good roads. Un
less sKeir administration is removed
from politics aud put into more per
lnanent hands we must 90 on vast
ing money without obtaining bette
results. Sufficient money was pai'
in taxes ~ Hartford county to kee
in repair 60 miles of wel-built roads
or nearly three times the estimate'
mileage of the county.
IMPORTANCE OF GOOD ROADS.
Harye de Grace could he made a
j, important shipping point for dones
o tic and foreign markets, and a greS
impetus could be given the varie'
4 industries and resources of tn
4 county, if there were only suitabl
4 improvements there. BY convert
h. ing farm products for transportation
q II profit may he realized. where 9th
y erwise there would Ou!y be los
q The common road, which Is In
ia public highway, stands alOOf in tn
race for supremacy and has bee
il, ignored because Of the difficulty I
- securing a united movement OF tn
Il masses in their own behalf. Th
# selection of proper material for road
n IL most impOrtant. Drainage is on
n Of the fundamental requirements
~ the maintenance of u good lOad.bet
p. AS 10 cost. no definite anonnt can +
IL quoted for evsry locality. In a yer
II eral way it may be stated that tn
~ cost per mile for double track roa
n will range from $1,000 to $40 00
10 No improvements can be effecte
:. unless the people will authorize the
representatives to adopt and execu
e. the necessary measures, and al
them in carrying them into effst:
If you place the working of roads
60 the hands of one single competel
Ir person. with a suitable salary, yc
T.. will have individual responsibility.
The State may be properly asked
E. aid IN this development of her int
rs nal improvements. Good roads ca
ne not be obtained by electing men