The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-03-15
OUR PUBLIC NGRWAYS.

OOR PUBLIC HIGHWAYS.
With the opening of spring, which
in the natural course of events can
not be far distant, the ever recurring
subject of improving thepublic roads
comes to the front. There is no
question but what this is the most
important matter with which our
County Commissioners have to deal.
Further than that, the only visible
benefit that the average taxpayer gets
in return for his annual stipend to
the gatherers is shown in the annual
levy for the highways. There can be
no doubt but what much of the
money which is annually appropria-
ted for this important purpose, ifnot
wasted, is at least not put to the
good use that it might be applied.
We do not mean by this that the
Commissioners or road supervisors
are subject to criticism. On the con-
trary we think that it is the system
that is to blame. From time imme-
mortal there has been grumbling by
the taxpayer about the manner in
which the road tax is handled, yet if
board was to inaugurate reforms,
which, while they would increase the
rate, would make permanent inn
provements, a howl of Indignation
would Immediately go up, and the
offending county officers have such
an avalanche of protests filed as to
intimidate even the bravest official.
The result of this is, that the Com
missioners, with of course some ex-
ceptions, have found the easiest way
was the best, and so have each year
appropriated just enough money to
keep the bitches clean and fill up a
few washes; and the question of per-
manent improvement is relegated to
the background. This has been going |
on year after year until it becomes
the accepted theory of conservative
road mending. Some years ago road
machines werepurchased. They were
used with doubtful success less and |
less each approaching season until
now they are rarely seen.
This county, however, has had a
temporary awakening from her
lethargy by coming into sum of
money left by the late William Wool
sey, afterwards supplemented by his
sister, Miss Rebecca, to be used for
the permanent improvement of GER
tain roads. The requests were
contingent upon the acceptance by
the county and also the latter's will
ingness to expend enough money to
make the specified roads in a condi-
ton acceptable to the trustees named
under the wills. Our county fathers
promptly acceded to the conditions
and named committee of two to
act with the trustees. Several meet
ings have been held and, by direction
of the Commissioners, work on the
Churchvi1le road will be commenced
as soon as the weather permits. So
far so good-the taxpayers will now
await with interest the repairing of
this highway and carefully inspect
the practical results therefrom.
1t is confidently expected that the
first named road will not cost very
much more than the ten thousand
dollars available under the will for the
purpose. This possible, on account of
the policy pursued by past boardsin
some ofthe improvements on
this thoroughfare of a permanent
nature.
Of course much neutrality-suspicious.
will be gained by this work. Several
mooted questions will have the light
of practical experience thrown upon
them and other work will in a large
be contingent upon the re-
suit of this.
We have heretofore called attention
to the plan of raising money to meet
the requirements of the wills to finish
other contemplated roads. At that
time plan was put forth, suggesting
4 feasible method to get the money
easily and pay it back in small in
stallments. Ofcourse there are many
people, who believe that bonding the
county is fraught with hidden dan
gers, and they are right, unless the
matter is managed in a business like
way. Many others approved of the .
plan with some slight notifications.
AS has been heretofore urged it ,,
would hardly seem the fair thing to
those parts of the county not directly :
benefited by the Woolsey bequeststo
ISSUE bonds unless every section
had at least one good permanent !,
road. We do not believe that there I
IS any disposition to do this. On the i
contrary there seems a general I