The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-01-12

.Os -. Sss w G0lN Gi00.
po9tioo of the community, the farmer.
the mechanic aod the merchant will
feel its good effects and what is Of
greatest importance, the strength of the
comm uui,y will be greatly augmented
aud its political prosperity rendered
more se,ure.'' Henry Clay also spoke
10 favor Of this measure, defending it's
consti.u.ionaKty. but it was vetoed by
President Monroe on the ground that it
vas unconstitutional.
From 1906 to 1888 10 addition to
the Cumberland road. congress expend.
ed $1,000. 600 90 various highways
one leading from the frontier Of Geor-
gia towards New Orleans, oDe from De.
troit to Chicago, one from Memphis
into Arsapsas. and one from Nashville
to Natchez. From 1854 to 1860. an
other psriod of activity, $1,000, 600
was expended. chiefly in the territories.
South Carolina took mp the road
problem very early in her history Gu
the 26:t of May 1882. the Colonial
Assembly passed the first road law en-
titled 'sAn ac, for Highways" In 1887
an act pas passed directing road to be
built to Orangeburg from "the head Of
The path that leads from Dorchester to
Capt. Ezard's COW pen'' 10 1742 an
act was passed providing for ferry
across Sspsee river and road made in
connection with it ITO facilitate the pat
sage of travellers from Charleston to
Williamsburg and others, the northwest
ern parts Of this province (" From 1853
to 1856 the following roads we're pro-
yided for: from Eutaw Spriogs through
Mapchester, Camden, aud Lancaster
court bonse from Fort Mott to Fishing
Creek !; from Society Hill to Benefits
vile. Marion. Conwayboro and George
town and from she sane point to
Darliugton. Ki6gstree and Fort Mott !;
from 0rangeburg to Ninety Six, Ab-
beville aud Pendleton; from Augusta
10 Edge6eld. Ninety-Six and Fish
Dam; and from Fridays Ferry on
Congaree River..o Augusta.
In 1888 general road Law was
passed. requiring IL days work or a
commu.atioo tax of $500 per diem.
aud in 1889 the funds derived from
tavern licenses we're appropriated to
road Improvement.
These early roads we're. as gen.
eral thing, located with remarkable
skill. and we'll built, as The present
condition Of many Of them will prove.
Drayson's View of South Carolioa, !"
published in 1902. says: .sTbe roads
10 the state are we'll adapted to travel
ing and transportation. even to the
mountains; and hence wagons End no
difficulty in coming from the upper
counties. bringing with them the COM
modi.ies of that distant region. Croes
roads to and from each court house are
made throughout the state, and wagoo
road has lately been made from the
north fork Of Saluda river over the
mouutaiDs to Rockville, 10 the state Of
Tennessee, by which wagons have pass
ed carrying loads of $500 pounds
weight. \ x x X Aud at this
time carriage aod four may be driven
from any part Of this State to the other.
from the sea shores to the mountains.
without any other difficulty than such
as naturally arise in long journeys.
As further proof of the high de
gree of efficiency of these old state
roads, the cost Of transportation by
wagons between Columbia aud Charles
ton 10 1921. as given by Mr.. Robert
Mile. WAS only 1872 100 cents per
ton per mile. Standard authorities
give the cost at 18 cents per ton per
mile on the very best earth roads,
while the average coat 10 this state now
is variously estimated at from 25 to 90
cents.
Since the beginning of tt. ailway
era iu the thirties the history Of tue
public roads 10 this state has been ep-
tirely without interest, recording only a
steady and unbroken decline. 40
effort was made about ten years ago by
the writer to awake some interest 10
the subject. but it was soon crowded
out by other issues. tis to be hoped
that the present movement marks q
turning point. and that with the begin
uiog of the 20th century, an era of
great activity 10 road building will be
ommenced.
Chas. G Wilson. Secretary.
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