The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1892-04-21

portions, in few years the same
expenditure would result in estab-
fishing a system of safe, good and
permanent roads which would not
require half the expenditure incur
red by the system now practiced.
Instead of being condemned and
put to loss, Judge Yerkes said that
the supervisor deserved to be COM
manded for good sense and judg-
ment.
As Judge Yerkes interprets the
law in the case just cited, every es-
sential requirement for the construc-
tion of good roads is contained in
the statue now in force. And there
! fore there seems to be no necessity
for the enactment of more string
ent road law, unless it would be to
provide n penalty for the punish
ment of persons who array them
selves against supervisors for the
lawful and faithful performance of
their duties. We must remember
that it is no fault of the law bad
roads predominant. The real diff
Guilty is that the people are unwill-
ing to have roads constructed as the
present law contemplates and pro-
vides. And while it is the duty of
the supervisors to construct lawful
roads, it is unreasonable to expect
them TO change road making meth
| ods without the assent of the peo-
pie. Especially is it unreasonable
to expect them to do so when, after
one has performed his duty faith
fully and well, he is denied the mon
cy which the law appropriates for
road purposes, and is compelled to
appeal to n legal tribunal for pro
lection, and can only get the money
due him by an award in his favor
from the court. In most localities
people practically prevent the con.
struction of good roads, either by
refusing to elect men for supervis
ors, who, if elected, would improv,
the roads, or 10y defeating at the
succeeding election those who, by
reason of having better road con
struction, increase taxation. Fol
an increase of tax to the amount %
ten cents on 800 and even less, be
cause of road improvement, super
visor would be Overwhelmingly dc
featcd in many of the townships o
this State.
B. Under the present law the desire,
3 result could gradually be realized
10y constructing as many miles q
| stone road annually ASH reasonabl
assessment upon property valuatio
and the amount received from tn
% State Gf appropriately would pei
init. .l Tse b 1rr S1,r1T III fH sat19&S,Ioul
,s5iiHt t-apd spertiag lo+~a .tNo saloon
e condition that the supervisors o
= each township construct certai
e distance of road each and ever
j. year. / believe that the presen
n road law, if not repealed, should b
l. SO modified rs to annul the claus
., permitting taxpayers TO work on
4 their own taxes. because the wor
= done by the taxpayers, as rule,
i performed without knowledge {
II care and if practicable, to establls
+ some standard of qualification go'
o crning the election of supervisor
e If. on the other hand, al the mai
,- roads are TO be macadamized su,
$ cessiycly, then it would seem nece
t. sary that townships be empowere
y by proper legislation to issue bond
r, for the permanent Improvement {
/ the public roads. This plan woul
not impose the burden of cost g,
If clusiyely upon the present gene
.c alton, but would extend the pa.
{ mcnt of some of the indebtedness
II thus incurred TO those who come a
D. ter. who should share the eXpend
Ie tWe for the consequent beneii
e. which they would reap from ii
N work wrought by their predecessor