The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-15
The New Road 10 rhunderboIt.


Some weeks ago 1t was semi-oficlaily
stated that the county commissioners
would not build the proposed new road to
Thundcrboli by way of EstHl avenue I'M
less they could secure the right of way
for it to ana along the river front at Thun-
derbot and the roadway or street along
The river was widened. AS far as the pub
lac has been informed the necessary con-
cesslons have not been secured, and fur
thermore, several property owners at
Thunderbolt. 1t is said, have refused to
5gree TO the conditions required by the
county commissioners With all of this
before them, the three commissioners who
attended the meeting OF the board on Mon-
day voted 70 build the road
When the work is to be commenced has
not been stated, nor have any figures been
submitted as to the cost. II is roughly es-
tmated by persons who are acquainted
with the cost OF filing and grading such
work that it viii require $4,000 for these
items. and that to harden the roadbed,
taking the cost of similar work on the
Waters rOad as a basis for the cacula-
tion, Will cost $500, plus the value of the
convict labor. In round figures, therefore,
it Will cost the taxpayers $4,000 to build
the road when there is neither demand
nor necessity for it,
OF course there are some persons who
favor the proposed road. There are a
number of weli-to-do citizens who are
stockholders in the Merchants and Me-
chanics' Land Company which owns the
land through which the new road is to be
built The road viii make the companys
property more valuable, and probably as
sst in the sale of lots. There are also one
or two other owners Of large tracts of
land on or near the route of the proposed
road. There is no reason why these land
owners should not favor the construction
Of the new road, and doubtless, some of
them do favor it. But the advisab lity Of
spending a large sum of money at this
time for such a work is the matter TO be
considered, and not the wishes of a few
persons and the prejudces of an inhuen-
tal opponent Of the Thunderbolt shell
road.
1t is understood that the shell road to the
Cathedral cemetery, Bonaventure and
rhunderbolt can be purchased for less
sum by far than the sum which it would
require to build the proposed new road
from Estin avenue eastward The new
road would not be OF any benefit to those
who wished to go to the Cathedral ceme-
terry, or Bonaventure, or the Avondale
range as they would still be obliged to
pay tolls to the shell road company
The policy of the county commission
ers should be to manage the affairs of the
people economically and to the best in
terests OF the greatest number; and it is
the right of the people to suggest to them
how this shall be done. although there APP
pears to be a doubt in the minds Of the
commissioners If the people have any right
to a voice in the management Of their own
affairs.
1t seems to unprejudiced persons that
now is the time to do the drainage work
required near the city and to get possess
sion of the toll roads, and that every dollar
available should be devoted to those ends
Neither the Buckhalter swamp canal nor
any unnecessary new roads should be con-
structed at this time. These are not the
times to waste money. especially when it
is not ones own.