Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-02-16


IN interview with a correspondent OF
he Baltimore Sun, gave the following
account of the system in vogue in that
county for the maintenance and repair
If the public roads:
InCharles county there are five road corps
with the old election dis
rets, which were four in number, and the
fifth corps is known as the flying corps.
Each corps has supervisor, at an annual
salary OF $500, and is provided with one
tent, two horse carts, one pair 81 good
mules, plows, scoops, shoycls, picks, hoes
and all other implements necessary forthe
work. The different corps 90 upon the
roads in May in their respective districts
(the fifth or flying corps being under com.
mand of the county commissioners and
working under their direct orders wher-
ever emergency calls and remain at work
upon the roads until about the middle Of
November, when all the implements are
returned TO the county commissioners aud .
the teams sent TO the winter quarters
provided for them. Each supervisor is
allowed to hire a specified number of !
hands at 81 per day and are required |
to make monthly reports Of expenses, Nc,
10 the county commissioners. One ot the !
most important features in the system is
that each supervisor after throwing up
proper drainage, is required TO put sui.
iceut quantity of gravel on the roadbed
to make it permanent. Ana for this work
they use the horse carts iii hauling the
gravel from the most accessible pits, The
gravel is usually given and il has been
found sufficiently convenient TO almost
every road in the county. When the
work on the roads has been done by c0n-
potent and conscientious supervisors, the
results have been very satisfactory, and
many OF the roads in Charles county are
subjects of pride to her citizens
There was at one time general
supervisor, who was selected upon his
qualifications rs a civil engineer, who was
bonded officer, paid good salary and
held responsible for the proper carrying
ont of the system, both as to the work
done on the roads and the construction Of
bridges and fDrds. Many of the citizens of
! Charles county regard the abolition Of this
| feature rs mistaken and very unforta-
nate act of tile powers entrusted with the
care Of her public highways. The super
yisors have not always been the best men
| for their places but in general good results
| have been worked out and the system
only needs competent and faithful excel
| tive officers to give the people good roads
wherever gravel or other good ruadbcd
material can be obtained at reasonable
cost.
lhefe y much 70 pe commenced IN
this system, and some OF ITS features
might be adopted in tins county with as
surance Of practical results.
---------zs-----------
In strict justice the state should pay
the salaries OF the two state detectives
which are now imposed upon the city .
Wilmington. It was shown by the re
port Of the state auditor that the wori
Of tile detectives has already saved tn
] State more than the amount Of thel
. salaries IN the matter Of serving reqnisi
! tons alone, and their entire time Is
! was any good reason for imposing Til
= burden upon the city, and tile Legisl;
lure should shift il to The State, whel
it Justly belongs, without delay.
!.
!. lae pfoHinclal goVefhiheht9t 'tueoe
II tearing that marriage = aeetlhiils y vi
province, has DECIDED u impose
annual tax of 500 to $500 on q
1 bacAelpls. just now tle uetalss o. "
" license are to be arranged is not ma,
nnbyic I, il eunnnsrI however III
q .-,. ,,..u =. .,,,a.d - ,,,,a :
M s'l'S4c li4cil VII W lS4uASd ~ VIZ
. brass tag, but they Will be permitted
Is % rnrnnzyIoi