The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1899-01-28
OUR PUBLIc ROADS.

1t need not be told that the sys-
tenn of working the public roads of
this parish is an unqualified failure.
The condition of all car highways,
with very few exceptions, is a dis
grace pure and simple.
The money expended by the
Police Jury in paying the road
overseers and for drainage and the
building of bridges has been so
much thrown away. There isn't a
thing to show for it. The principal
roads-those leading to Carencro,
Broussard ana Royville-have long
since become impossible. The
property owners living along these
roads are using them as canals for
drainage.
The roads in the second ward
make one large mud hole. If any
money has been spent there OF if
any work has been done, there is no
sign of it.
The present condition will not
only eventually ruin the merchants,
but it is bound to ruin the farmers
also. The former can't sell their
goods because the country people
can't get to them ana :: is impossi~
BILE for the latter to marIe. their
crops. I, is as clear as anything
can be that unless something is
done, and done at once, the whole
country will be severely crippled.
special tax will be collected to be
used exclusively to work the roads.
1t is believed that the revenues from
this source will amount TO about
$4,000. Heretofore, every year
about $4,000 dollars were put aside
in the budget for the purpose of
bridges and paying road
oyerseers. II the Police Jury will
take these two amounts and put
them together it will have $1,000
which can he used toward building
our public roads. A great deal
can he accomplished by judicious
of this sum.
But $50, 900 spent in the old way
will not amount to anything. In
the hands of an incompetent, even
though an honest man, this sum
will not suffice TO drain a single
road. What is primarily needed is
a good, competent man at the head
Of the road system, who will be
made to furnish bond for the faith
full performance of his duty. The
success or failure of the system will
greatly depend upon the selection
Of the road overseer. 1t is not rea-
to expect that any Tom,
Dick or Harry, who knows nothing
Of this business, can do the work
properly. If.you want to have an
arm anputated you will surely not
seek the services of blacksmith.
You will prefer to get surgeon.
For the same reason the Police Jury
should secure the services of man
who understands the business of
and repairing roads. That
ought to- be clear enough to any
mind.
There is another thing which the
Police Jury will have to understand
if it really wants good roads. 1t
will have to- abandon the short
sighted policy of dividing the work
among the differcn: wards. 1t will
have to be altogether. The money
will have to be used for the whole |
parish, and in repairing, first, the
roads, we mean the roads |
which are used the most. If every
cross read is to be worked and every |
property no matter how
ISOLATED he may be, must have |
road leading to his home, the funds
1t the disposal of the parish will have
20 be fifty time larger than they will
De. When the main roads will have
been put in good condition it will
De time to look after the little roads
which are used only by limited
,uinoer of people.
Eight thousand dollars spent in a
udicious, and business-lik manner
IAN not fail to be productive
IF good results. The same sum
as political favo,s and