Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-05-18
The Need of Bettcr Roads.

10 tie Editor 0f the Aieraadrid Gazctte
1t is as evident to the observant citi
zen of the State Of Virginia that The
county roads need Improvement as thai
two and two make four Either propo
sitiou can be demonstrated-neithel
needs it. The radical question is how
shall the Improvement be begun.
The present method of calling out
the citizens between certain ages and
working each two days per annum is 8
failure and farce. The "overseer'
only cares to earn 81 per day and re
tain his popularity with the voters
The laborcrs only care to get through
the two days with as much as possible
of an interchange Of local gossip and as
little of possible perspiration. When
the forfeit is paid, in lieu of the service,
the money is devoted to mending po-
lilical fences rather than public high
ways.
The possibilities of incompetence in q
man chosen for political reasons rather
than for fitness are infinite. The over
seer of county roads, with rare excep-
tious, has used his possibilities freely.
He can provide mud hole with more
mud and less drainage as readily as he
can sit under the shade of tree and
drink buttermilk.
Some system of road improvement
which eliminates the present personal
labor tax" and the present unskilled
superintendent is what we must have.
But in making any changes we have
always to consider the very pardon
able aversion of the citiZens-more cs-
pccially the agricultural element-to
any increase oftaXation. So the ques-
ton narrows down to an Improvement
without increase of taxation.
There is an element of the farming
population of this State who appreciate
The value OF good roads, and would be
glad to further any project to secure
them. But this clement is unfortunate
ly in the minority. The majority need
to be educated to the realization OF
their OWL necessities.
In other words, before the majority
can become willing to pay for better
roads in preference to hauling halt
loads and the payment OF
extra repair and feed bills they must
be convinced that improved roads do
enable them to haul greater loads al
less effort, thereby economizing time.
feed and repairs.
The writer can see but one way in
which this can be accomplished, but
one way in which good roads can be
constructed as educators without in
creased taxation. That way is by the
employment of the State convicts upon
the county roads under the superin-
tendence of skilled road builders.
Much might be said about the con-
tlict between honest labor and convict
labor Much might be said about the
evils of farming" out the convicts TO
contractors, but these questions, while
they naturally argue in favor of the
scheme, do not come within the scope
of this article.
1t is always bad policy to scatter an
effort, therefore it would seem best to
devote attention 10 the main thorough
fares of the counties first and let the
practical advantages of the improve
ment of these roads become manifest
first. This would be the beginni ng-
the tip of the wedge of impro vement.
Iu New York the roads are selected
in each county approximately, north
and south, and east and west. These
are being improved first and they will
serve as educators OF the people of the
counties. In New Jersey the counties
are selecting the more important thor
oughiares regardless of direction.
Let the convicts be distributed among
the counties. Let the road tax be ex-
pended entirely for tools and superin-
tendence. Let the personal labor tax
be abolished. If the result of the ex-
pertinent should be failure we are no
worse OIL.
The object of this article is to call the
attention of the people of the State to
our necessities and TO endeavor to set
them to thinking about the improve
ment of our highways. The writer
suggests but one idea. He would be
glad to correspond with those interest,
ed in the subject, whether they agree
with him or not as to methods. As
member of the committee on highway;
of the Association of Engineers of Nir
ginia, he invites practical suggestions
Address II. w. NEwBY,
Alexandria Va