Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1900-09-01

MIR, EDITOR AS the Improvement in the
pa lie highways is AN important matter and
one that is attracting the attention of pro-
sressive people everywhere, and owing to
the fact that our Board Of Supervisors are
contemplating the expenditure OF public
money on one of our importantpublicroads,
would like to submit few brief sugges-
lions as voter and taxpayer interested in
both sides Of the qucstion-g0Od roads and
taxation. If the Board appropriates $500,
$500 or $1,000 to improve the condition of
the Macon u Louisville road to Hashuqua
creek, v by not on the Columbus road to
improve 1t to Deerbrook If then they pay
Tor work on these two roads. why not eye-
ry other important road in the county,
claim that the citizen who lives at Clifton
Vile, at Lynn Creek or ShuQualak, would
have the same right to clam a contribution
from the county fund to assist III making
better his road to market or county seat as
the one from Mashulaville or any other
point. Don't understand me as Directing
to this appropriation, but with this prece-
dent made by the Board. where can they
consistently stop. If then they act consist
entity with other roads where are the funds
coming tlomE You can't say this is the
worst piece of road in the comfy or the
most important, as venture to say there
were fifty OF more pieces last winter Just as
difficult to get over, and each of those pie
ces was Just as important TO those who had
to pass over them.
have been, and am, in favor of work
ing all the public roads by contract, But
when we begin to figure on the cost Of this,
we find it would take large sum to begin
and keep up the work. But il our Board
decide to commence this work, then by all
means let them levy general road tax and
have the most important or main roads
leading to the county seat and the railroad
towns worked by contract without discrim-
nation.
Now, Mr.. Editor, have given the road
question: with our surroundings, some
thought, and don't believe, with our lack
OF suitable material at hand to make good
permanent roads, it would be a wise in
vestment at present to work our roads by
contract. Rut do beneye, with the judi
cious use of a moderate sum OF public funds
they Guild be wonderfully improved, and
this ould not only be local but would eX-
tend to every link of every public road in
the county. Now as to my plan, anc before
| state it want to say that | have always
thought it unjust to force a man into a pub
tic position without compensation, and if
he should by accident neglect or otherwise
fail to do his whole duty, then be liable to
Indictment before the Courts OF the couu-
try. But let the law stand as 1t is, give ey-
cry Oyerseer two dollars per day. and re-
quire him to work ten days, no more, No
| less, certified to by two or more reputable
citizens OF his neighborhood, payment to
be made on llnal report at end Of his term,
/ / believe nuety.nine out Of every one hun.
dred oyerseers will put in the maximum
time and do his work well, hoping to be le-
appointed We must rem mber that in
these days lis the almighty dollar we are
striving for, and with it in sight there will
be plenty of good men who will serve as
road oyerseers and do their duty.
OBSERVER,