The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-12-22
IMPROVED ROADS IN ANDERSON COUNTY.

IMPROVED ROADS IN ANDERSON COUNTY.
THE PIONEER IN ROAD MAKING.
The Amended Laws Originated With
the Late Il. d. Murray-What Has
Been Done by II Progressive County.
Columbia Register.
| have always taken the greatest in
terest in the ~ itation for good roads,
for L believe roads are an Important
adjunct Of civilization. The roads o.,
South Carolina are in q deplorable con.
dition, though in some counties they
have been considerably improved in
the last three or four years through
the operation of new road laws. |
think that before another decade has
rolled away, the roads OF South Caro-
lima will begin to compare favorably
with those Of any other outhern State,
two or three counties in North Caro-
lima being expected. The citizens of
South Carolina are taking moro in
terest in the public highways now than
ever before, having at last awakened
to some realization Of how much they
have lost because Of the horrible con-
ditiOn Of South Cardinals roads. I'm
migrants from other States are going
to buy lands and settle where the roads
are best, for good roads mean increased
facility for communication and less
wear and ear on stock and buggics
and wagons, and that larger loads can
be hauled with greater ease by the
same teams. Good roads are cheaper
than bad roads, even though it takes q
big sum to make and maintain them.
Mecklenburg County, N. c., which has
the best roads in the South, has learn
ed this lesson. That county now has q
splendid system Of macadamizcd roads,
which Is constantly being improved
Those roads ave cost the county lots
of money, but the returns have far
moro than justified the OUTLAY. The
farming lands in That county are said
to have doubled in value, whilo bctt T.
farming lands in South Carolina coun.
ties with poor roads have in the same
Tune fallen off DO per cent. in value.
and the business Of Charlotte, the
county seat Of Mecklenburg County.
has been wonderfully built up.
Talking about good roads, | have
received from Supervisor w. =. Smell
grove OF Anderson County q very in
teresting vest-pOcket pamphlet entitled
How They Work Public Highways
in Anderson County, s. c." 1t is an
illustrated description Of the work done
under Mr.. Snelgrove, who is one OF the
most efficient County Supervisors in
South Carolina, and is reprinted from
the souvenir edition of the Anderson
lntelli2encer. Mr.. Snelgrovc and a
number Of other gentlemen request re-
publication Of this article in The Re-
gister and | will oblige them, hoping
it will be read by every citizen OF South
Carolina who is interested in the sub.
ject OF good roads, for it contains much
valuable information. The article fol-
lows:
Anderson County leads the State,
and probably the South, in good,
smooth country dirt roads and in the
new system of road making. Ia every
direction from Anderson. run broad.
smooth roads to the limits of the coun-
ty, which are SO thoroughly graded
and constructed as to rival many of the
noted drive-days OF the North and
East. And these roads are PLAYING q
very important part in increasing the
volume Of business in the city Of An
dcrson. To the citizens of Anderson
County 1T Is now a matter of surprise
that our common roads have peer for
60 many years and so universally
neglected, amidst so much progress
and prosperity in every other direc-
ton. 1t is indeed remarkable. Trade
relations, both Interstate and foreign,
nave brought magnificent and thor
oughly equipped railroads, which span
the country in every direction, and
connect lis with almost every market,
OF the world, but the common roads
over which every pound of produce
must be hauled to feed the great
thOrOughfarcs Of m and travel
have been, for many years, aver more
than u century, sadly neglected year
ter year. The Legislatures have
assembled, enacted laws pertaining to
almost everything else. bat to intro
duce a new system OF road making
either occurred to them or
seemed fraught with so many difficult
ties, no one appeared willing to un-
dcrtake it until in 1885. Mai. e. b.
Murray, now deceased, q young and
remarkably bright representative from
Anderson County, introduced o bill
providing for u wider road bed, an in
crease in the number Of days work re.
quired and for "a tax of IA OF one mill
to be set aside as "A permanent i'm
provement fund.
This bill became q law December n,
1886. 1t did not meet with general
approval, but its effect proved most
uencHcldi. III ulTecJeu the attention |
OF the people to the subject of better
roads. and in 1893 8 bill was introduced
to us the present system OF road
making. This bill became a law
January 4th, 1864. The old board OF
commissioners was abolished
township boards established in
stead. These boards consist of
discreet free-holders In each
township in the several counties, re-
by the representatives. in
Legislature and appointed by the
The Office OF county super
is created aud made elective
Every " years. The supervisor has
jurisdiction over all public
roads, bridges and ferries
'ver the paupers and all matters re-
ating to taxes and disbursements of
'ublic funds for county purposes, and
with authority to administer
aths In matters appertaining to his
fice. The supervisor, together with
he Chairman OF the township boards
1 commissioners, constitute tho coun-
-