The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-02-07
Our Roads and Bridges

W. are in favor Of our Board OF Sn-
,,.rv;sors building bridges that will be
able to resist the highest Hoods ana
pixies that will be above the highest
overfiows and broad enough and strong
enough to stand. 1t is Q sad com
ment on our progressive age TO know
that little extra furry in the ete-
ments will wash away our hest bridges
and flood our roads SO as to prevent ail
travel. We know there are those VINO
oppose any increase in taxation ana
plead in extenuation our inability 70
meet our obligations promptly now.
While we are not extra prosperous. We.
it is folly from strict business stand
noint to do work ON cheap scale
which in the end proves costly. Inc
present flood will cost the county thous
ands Of dollars and no end OF lncon-
yenieace to private interests. II any
ones life depended on getting medl,
cine or help from Canton for several
DAYS lately they would have been forced
IA mass the river of death as our rivers
were to high for their stay here. we
believe in the end that iron bridges
would prove cheap. They could De
built substantially and kept painted 50
as to reeist erosion from atmospheric
influences q nd should stand for gener-
atoms. These bridges covered Win
GOOD heart oak lumber, would be the
very best obtainable and the best Is al
WAYS the BEST. As it would DE nom
sensical to build bridge and then De
unable to utilize it by reason OF hlgh
water in the roads, it necessarily fol-
lows that pixies of the style and resis-
lance mentioned above should De an
accompaniment of the bridges we are
a strong advocate OF figures, ana we
would suggest that our Board OF super.
visors figure on what such bridges ana
pixies would cost. and what would DE
their proba blr duration and attendant
expense for say, IS years, and then ap-
proximate what the same work has
cost the county in its imperfect, haz
zardous, inconvenient form for the past
al wears. and draw rational business
like conclusions and act, in accordance
therewith. We take the position that
the Board is or ought to be men OF lar
sighted business capacity ana should
act on their own judgement regardless
OF puzzle Glamour or criticism. They
should be men capable OF directing ana
moulding public opinion, and directing
nublic business in firm, safe channels
They are put in Office by all the people
and should not let circumscribed ob1ec-
tions bar them from acting on their
judgement. II the people have chosen
wisely they will be profited, II not lot
them pay for their errors and their wits
will be sharpened for future action.
We know the position IS enc CT poor
pay-which is all W. ong-rieh only IN.
censure and criticism, but we believe
the concensus of public sentiment will
in the end approve the wise and judi
cous expenditure Of public money for
first class public improvements. The
Board could certainly at least estop
public sensure and point with pride to
it's monuments and say. "if we spent
your money we gave you value receiv.
ed for it, We have always believed
and do yet, that convict labor could be
utilizedin constructing public work,
such as roads, pixies and bridges advan-
tageously. The Board of Control OF the
State prisoners cleared $685. 900, fer the
State last year, above the sup
port of convicts. Why cant the county
Board do the same thing, letting the
surplus of such labor above actual sup
oort--which the county could bear, be
in improvements. Let these things be
considered along economic and strict
business lines, both by the Board and
the public and in the outcome will be
found. profit and safety.