Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1895-03-14

When l compare the electric lights with
the streets and sidewalks on which they
shine, am reminded of savage, clothed
in an old hat and red feather, but minus
breech- cloth. Unless you have given
the subject special attention, perhaps you
have no adequate idea of the wave of
enthusiasm which is rolling over the
country in the interest of road reform.
The railroads and steamboats, represent
little more than the common roads, for
whatever of travel and freight pass over
them must first pass over the highway.
We have no time here to consider how
great the waste is; how much our poor
roads cost the city over and above the
cost of real roads; how many more horses
and wagons are necessary to do this
work; how much more the wear and tear
is; how much more it costs to feed and
| keep in repair; how much more time is
consumed in getting to market; how
much trade, for the time interrupted, is
| lost forever; how that horse can haul
twice the load on a smooth macadam
road than on the best dirt road; how
much the price OF every article moved
|
ter system.
Bill Nye says that "our wagon roads
are disgrace to civilization, and before
we undertake to supply jaeger underwear
and sealskin covered bibles to the
heather, it might be well to put few
dollars out for the relief of CALLED and
broken down horses that are crucitied on
our misera bic highways"
The city of Ellsworth appropriates the
| sum of five thousand dollars year, to
hundred miles of streets and roads
| hardly enough to keep savage's trail in
good working order. Under leadership of
| some of our citizens we at one time We're
ready to mortga our city to the tune of
of a hundred thousand dollars to help out
the private scheme of a railroad company.
But the same men, no doubt, would be
struck stiff if should propose a loan of
t he same amount to build roads which
would be ours. The railroad has been
blessing, but what incaiculable benefit
would fifty thousand dollars do us, intel
igently and scientifically expended upon
our main thoroughfares extending east,
west, north, SOUTH and bringing trade
into Ellsworth instead of carrying it
| away.
This | do not at present suggest, but
do recommend that he first step in road
| building in Ellsworth be taken this year
by employing competent road engineer
to lay out system of roads on paper,
Strengthening, and in many places, mar
rowing them, bringing them up to grade
and giving minute instructions as to
" hat ought to be done and how to do it,
which can be followed out from year to
year, the work of each year having refer
ence to the whole plan, and being execu-
ted in accordance with scientific modern
| ideas.
| A SUGGESTION.
| Without recommending, | suggest to
| our citizens plan which it would be we'll
to earnestly think about for a year or
two, and adopt when the time comes, in
some form modified and improved, as it
must be by careful consideration. Before
the road contract with Mr.. Roscoe
| Holmes went into operation, Ellsworth
| appropriated to its streets and roads the
sum of = 900 per year, which, of course,
was directly assessed. We could borrow
fifty thousand dollars at the rate of four
per cent. on long loan to be expended
at once; the interest of this loan would
be - 900, the salary of a competent road
builder would be perhaps $1,000, leaving
| $1,000 to patch with. This plan would
not increase the direct taXations of
! each year. and would go far in building
| streets and the main avenues of approach
to this village. If we could get out of
| the old ruts to this extent, believe
| that we should continue this good work
to the end.
| Understand, that this no recommends
| ton to you, gentlemen, but Il suggestion
| to our people to be worked out, hope, III
few years. Som atime it has got to come
all over the State-let us be in the front
rank. If we love Ellsworth, if We want
| beautiful town; if We want prosperity, if
we are seeking personal well being, if we
want to keep up with the age, here is the
| chance for it.
| SEWERS.
! | have said that the natural drainage of
Ellsworth is almost perfect, Take your
stand some sunny morning In winter
near the house of J. A. Lord, esq, and
behold the village at your feet and notice
the abrupt descent on both sides to the
river. SIN or eight natural water courses
divide the town and indicate the lines
which man must follow in building a
system of sewers. These conditions have
saved US from epidemics which thus far
we have wonderfully escaped, But
nature cannot do all.
With the introduction of public water
comes an imperative demand for a COM
plete system of sewers. If natural condi-
tons are disturbed, compensation must
be made The administration of Mayor
Norris conside ed the matter, but ! be
| lieve othing was done. But action can
i Il.