The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-02-22
Communicated
THE PLANK ROAD.

Banner Democrat The remarks 10
your paper last week about a plank
road through the bottom going to the
landing were read with approval by
large number Of the residents of the
town, If not by every one. You and
yonr paper can do no better work
than TO urge the making of this road.
A light rain makes il impossible
through the bottom. The small rise
in the road al the far end of the BAN
quette is absolutely insurmountable to
teams the greater part of the winter.
There are times, for weeks together,
when ere,y team attempting to ascend
with load stalls, and then the amount
of cursiDg, yelling and beating in
dulged in by the drivers to fierce their
teams TO do what they cannot do, is
something that will have 10 be heard
and seen TO be appreciated. In addi-
ton 10 the plank road / beg to sug-
gest few loads of sand upon this lit
tie hill. This will prevent the road
from cutting into holes in bad weather.
Sand in unlimited quantities can be
had in two or three hundred yards
from the locality simply for the haul
ing. Suppose the town authorities
hire team for a week or longer, if
necessary, and haul sand under the
supervision of our energetic marshal.
II would be mercy TO the poor over
taxed animals that have to draw loads
to and from the landing, and it would
prevent any amount of vexation and
profanity upon the part of the drivers,
to cay nothing of the time and expense
saved to the commerce of the town.
beg in this connection to call at
tention to the fact that the banquette
is already being used by teams. 1t is
against the law TO ride or drive upon
the levee. The United States govern
ment has contributed very largely to
the building of the levees. This very
bauquette was built by the U. S.
government. The officers in charge of
the government work are decidedly
opposed TO the use Of the levees for
horses and teams. Suppose future
grand iuries should in6ict under our
State law or suppose the Federal
courts should take the matter In hand.
The lesson would be dear one to
those who might happen to be caught.
am Informed that this violation OF
the law will be brought to the atten-
ton of the Federal courts and If they
have not already the authority to
prosecute they will at al early day be
clothed with such authority by act OF
congress. Besides, even though our
local grand juries ignore the offence,
il does not follow that the District At
torney will. Now the plank road you
mention will avoid all such complied
lions. And why should not the plank
road be located on the banqnette. 1t
would not injure the levee, but on the
contrary would serve as a protection.
This plank road is not needed except
during the rainy months say three or
four months of the year. If therefore
il should be located OIL the banquette. IL
might properly be closed and not used
during the long summer and fell
months and thus it would last much
longer. BY all means let us have the
plank road at any cost, and at once.
The commerce of the town and the
travelling public demand it.
Before close this long communica.
ton wish to offer another suggestion
to our Hon. Mayor and Conucilmen
1t is this: that the town authorities
will have trees plantt d Oh each side OF
the lake road from town to the far
end of the Cemetery. This can be
done at O email cost and beautiful
avenue of trees may thus be made
which will be credit TO the. town aud
a wonderful protection to those who
may have occasion TO use that road
during the hot summer months. On
people are sympathetic aud when one
of our citizene is conveyed to his las
resting place in our beautiful cemetery
large numbers follow the hearse
Many having no conveyances go OF
foot through the blazing sun. Let III
make that walk which proceeds from
a generous desire to do honor to the
departed dead as comfortable as posi-
BILE and at the same time add immense
~ to the beauty and attractiveness O
our town, by planting trees along eacf
side of the road. Though it may no
be source of profit, inexpensive orna
mentation such az l nave mentioned
should and would commend itself Il
every one who, like the writer, love-
the town and feels a pride in it's ap
pearancc and progress. Let us heal
| fro,, o,hore ON this euhiect X