The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-29

L have read with interest several arti-
Giles in your paper on roads. but 7 thougbt
1 might safely add a few more tbouebts
on the subject, says G. c. Brodhead in
Globe-Democrat. 1t Is natural to all to
be in favor of a good road. But how are
we going to have them? Some of the old
est nations, even those whom we have been
led to consider as barbarians have long
since shown that they were aware of the
necessity, and that they also knew low to
build roads. The Chinese have some well
built roads extending throughout their
empire, and they are solidly paved The
ancient Peruvians 1000 years ago had a
graded, bridged and tunneled road 2OOO
miles long. These people knew nothing
ABOUT railroads, yet their roads evince
the Judgment of a good engineer Certain
ancient Roman roads also remain i'm good
condition, monuments of engineering
skill. How much more should we per-
feet our road system.
A great deal has been said during the
past two years on the subject of good
roads in our country. But what has been
done? Nothing. Only talk and nothing
more. None of the public meetings called
for the purpose of agitating the question
have done anything. AS far as | know.
no man has advanced an idea indicative of
the proper course to pursue or advised
what to do All they said has been; I've
want good roads," We pay a road tax
every year-for what end? 1t is said, a
road oVerseer is appointed who is sup,
posed to know what road should be
He allows some men to do a poor days
work, working out their tax, and what is
done? The road is plowed up, the dirt
scraped toward the middle and on the
banks, where it is supposed to be needed.
few gullies are filled, but the rough
clods are strewn over the road, and it is
often in a worse condition than 1t was
before.
Now how should this be remedied? I an
swer, only by strictly systematic work If
we are taxed for road purposes, the money
should be used in a way that the most
good can be accomplished. Let the coun-
try road tax accumulate, say for two
years, and do no road work during that
time except to prepare for what should be
done. Employ civil engineer and be sure
he is practical and experienced. Let him
make Surveys and estimates for a road
Take one road at time
and go to it an a business manner,
just as you might be supposed to do when
you start to build a railroad. Your road
needs almost as much consideration. The
grades can be sleeper. the curves sharper,
the masonry not so expensive, but should
be strong and have good foundations.
Have your engineer supervise the work
and see that il is correctly done. 1t may be
that but little work may be necessary TO
shape some of our roads as they should be.
Next gravel your roads, Do not neglect
that, for that helps to retain the perma-
nent shape of the road. But above all
things you must have an engineer to take
charge 1t will not do to place an ordinary
workman in such a position The farmer
or common laborer will not do. You need a
man skilled in his profession. If he does not
l. af.,..a4 a.
sive and give no good result. If your fam
lily were sick you would not send for a dry
goods CLERK, but good physician; nor a
doctor to attend to law case Neither
ought you to employ a butcher or a shoe
maker TO build a road. You want a man