Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-05-08
Suggestions as to "B. NJ. DIS" Read
Plan.
Editor VSnd5cat0r j.:

| Editor Vtndicator:
! Seeing and approaching very much several
communications on the improvement of our
public roads, | will only trouble you with a
| very few lines, to say thatI have conversed
with quite number OF representative people
| OF N orth River District, and that they hearth
ly, approve of the suggestions of u. NJ. D. and
others, and we trust that all classes Will be
ready to respond to the work whenever such
plans and specifications may he matured and
put i'll proper shape by the necessary Iegisla-
ton. We are all aware that there is row no
| legal authority vested in the Board of Super
VIs0rS, or any other county organization by
which sum of money sufficient to prosecute
| work OF such magnitude, could be obtained.
we must therefore look to the coming legiS-
lature Tor statute which will meet the
wants OF the people. II this be so, would it
not be we'll to make this one of the re1niSite
| qualifications for membership of the next
| House of Delegates? Now don't all speak at
once and say here am |, send me- for only
! those who have the nerve to call for a Sut1i-
| Gent amount OF funds to complete the work
will be acceptable. [ am aware that when
we take in hand the subject of improving the
public highways we are making an assault
on a subject OF immense magnitude and cost,
but certainly of corresponding benefit The
boast of our county now is that we are a
| pr0gress1oe people, and trust we are, but in
this particular line of improvement [ am
sorry to say we are greatly in rear OF many
ancient people-the Romans, perhaps fifteen
centuries ago. did not believe that they could
make successful attack upon neighboring
| nation, without first having the most highly
| improved National roads.
| 1t would be with much diffidence and hest
| tatiOn that | would venture to suggest how
this immense sum of money should be applied
il once secured. Some have said put the tax
| on heavy, we are ready for it. Macadam 20
inches deep and Is feet wide," but / would
say don't go quite so fast, and Will st it is not
safe to go in the face of the great road Sur
| veyor, John Loudoun McAdam, | would not
| recommend the metaling of every part of the
road. think there are many places along the
| leading lines of roads that can be made per-
| manently good by proper grading, shaping up
and thorough draining. 1t is the natural soil
which really supports the weight of travel,
and while it is in a dry state it will carry any
weight without sinking. Then where the ma
| ture of the soil and the topography of the
are favorable, | would say good road can be
made without metal. These roads, however,
should penetrate the county at the proper
place, and on correct lines, with very little
respect for the obstacles, either of nature or
private property. It is the c0oer5ng thu. Sc
cures and protects tie r0ads, and of course mac
| adamiZing makes good roof and many places
mast be nsetaled, but where you can have both
natural and artificial drainage very lasting
| cost, and be much easier and more elastic to the
feet of animals passing over it. | have!seen
nothing on the road subject from North River
District, merely come forward to say to the
other districts: We cordially meet you. we
sincerely greet you. This zeal you will re-
member, however, has heretofore only lasted
until the mud dries up, and then the subject
passes from our minds. Respectfully
NORTH Rioer, May LIST. ORIENTE.