The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-07-20
SOCIAL INTERCOURSE.
The Bad Country Roads Prohibit 1t
Where Most Required.

Where Most Required.
Whatever may be the results of
improved country highways to the
jewellers in the city and town, there
can be no doubt of the benefits the
farmer and his family will derive
not alone because of money saved
and vexations ended or that crops
can be marketed at one-half the
labor and expense, but in the mat
ter of social intercourse will the
farmers household feel the benef-
cent influence of easy communlca-
ton.
When the rains and sun of March
and April have dispelled the winter
snow and drawn from the ground
the frost that in the northern states
keeps the dirt road passable, a road
prospect is opened up that may
well appal the stoutest heart.
The dirt road in spring as now
commonly built, without drainage
and without regard to grade or
material, is as impossible as the
Alps. 1t is literally impossible to
haul any farm wagon or even
buggy through the long stretches
of mire axle deep which form nine
tenths of the so called roads Of this
country during the months of
March ard April IN the east and
all through the winter in the south
and southwest.
The life of the farmers family
during this period is one of almost
complete isolation. The younger
children are debarred from the
privilege of attending the school at
the crossroads unless indeed thew
make the journey to and from the
schoolhouse on the fences, while
the lot Of the oder members is al
most ur endurable. This state of
affairs is unnecessary and cruel, and
the farmer himself is responsible
for its being and continuance.
/ The legislature of the state of
New York has set the ball a-roling
by passing road improvement bill,
which the governor has signed,
that it is to be hoped makes the be-
ginning Of a reform that will be-
come part of the settled policy of
the state. The highway law is
amended by authorizing the various
boards of supervisors to adopt the
county road system, appoint county
engineers to supervise the improve
ments of the roads and to select
lines for new and better roads. No
highways within the limits of any
city or incorporated village are to
be built at the expense of the
county, the charters of these cities
and villages making the necessary
provision for highways within their
limits. The residents of the towns
and the farmer will alike be bene-
flied by the improved highways.
The farmer seeking a market for
his products ia kes the always hard
and smooth roadway, and the
towns gains by the frequent ex-
change of commodities with their
rural neighbors.
In most of the southwestern
states the roads are so wretched
that railway 10 miles away might
almost be 100 for all it saves the
farmer in labor and cost to get his
produce to the shipping point.
There are county seats left deserted
for weeks and sometimes for months
by the country people upon whose
patronage and trade the town de-
ponds, and for the lack of which
business stands still and industry
is stagnant.
Good roads are economy, and
bad roads are too heavy to be borne.
1t remains for the farmer, and the
merchant, and the mechanic to get
together and unite in keeping up
the agitation of good roads and the
education OF the people until the
thousands of dollars annually paid
in tribute to muddy roads are saved
to themselves.
W. H. BALLENGER.