Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1899-02-16
GOOD VS.. BAD ROADS.
Attorney Gray Endorses the Letter
Written by Mr.. EicheIberger.


pleasure the very admirable article of
Mr.. Eichelberger on our county roads,
and l trust all of our county people
have had time during this terrible
weather to read it. l agree with Mr..
E. in every thing he says. More wis
dom has never been written upon that
subject, and if any body can combat
his arguments I should like to see
what he could say. 1 sometimes think
our people have become SO accustomed
to travelling over bad roads that they
really enjoy it. One of our farmers Ia
man of very fine sense on most sub
jects) gave me as a reason against
matchmaking our roads, that they
would wear out the shoes of the horses
much quicker than our dirt roads, but
perhaps he said this in jest. Another
argument 1 have heard. which is equal
ly as absurd, is, that it would be use
less to macadamize any roads unless
we could macadamize every cross road,
for, said he, if we farmers have to pull
over q bad cross road to the good main
road we are just as bad off as if We did
not have one bit of good road. In
other words he tells ms that if he had a
load to haul 20 miles and one mile was
bad and the other 10 good pike, the ~
pike is worthless because of the one
mile of bad road. Captain Fulcher
gave us good illustration of this not
long ago. He said farmer ON cross
road to the Middlebrook pike hauled
a load of wheat with horses over his
cross road until he reached the Mid
dlebrook road, then he took out. two
horses sent them back home, let the
other two horses take the wheat on to
town, while the horses sent back home
; brought another load with two other
h orses in the same manner, There is
another thing, the cross roads not being
Travelled so much are not cut up as
. much, while the main roads being
travelled much more, are of course in
much worse condition, and are harder
l to travel. think we will all agree if
we can just get the main roads maca-
= damized under Mr.. Els plan We Will
put up with the cross roads. But
i there is one other suggestion l wish to
add to my friends splendid article,
which l belieye will entirely answer
g the argument of the gentleman, as to
t his cross roads, and it is that if the
d farmers would all have broad tires on
their wagons they would keep the
cross roads, which are not Travelled
very much, in good condition and
would of course be great factor in
IS keeping the roads that are to be lac
lie adamizad in good repair. Many Of
J. our sister States have enacted laws
upon this subject, and / am told will
)r splendid results. Mr.. E. showed me ;
q bill be had prepared to put through
u the Legislature em0odying his plaI
If mentioned in his article, together witt
III a provision for broad tires. 1t is t.
n, be hoped Mr.. E. will have the backing
enacted into law at the next session
IT, of the Legislature. l suggest that
ed would be good plan to call a meetin
ne of our farmers to discuss with Mr.. /
NJ this subject, His suggestion that on
oy roads ought to bs worked like th
ne railroads, and that we ought to TAX
H. them out of politics, and have gel
rs eral superintendent, is most excellen
Our new Congressman could not do
better thing if he could get Uncle Sa
to establish at Washington a depar
q ment of good roads. [ have alwa.
tie taken the position that we ought
do all we can to invite emigration
our county. and it strikes me the be
AL way to do that is to be able to point
100 good roads. Mr.. E.. s plan l belle
II will carry with it great force, for
az az does not suggest that the taxes
g raised-that is good. Indeed he sa
70 to us all, lets stop wasting our mon
S5S and get some good out of it.
gae In conclusion let me say if anythiI
is ever to be done in this matter, if '
a az are to get out of the mud and the ru1
c the people who pay the taxes will ha
;l.SS to make the move. Who ever hea
gag of clerk who had a fat, easy job, SO
.. 5 ing, II want to be honest with 20
lass you are just throwing your mon
s se4O away by employing me; you had b'
$50 ter let me CO."
SO What do you say, business men a
farmers of Augusta?
,o.l Respectfully,