The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-06-05
GOOD ROADS AND POLITICS.

liz NSSll >oith1y DSAAo~ ~--
vention adopted a resolution last
week that will set 4 good example
for the Democratic party Ill other
counties to follow. 1t declared Tor a
better road system and the manner
in which the resolution was adopted
leaves small doubt as to its being put
into application at the proper time.
Unfortunately, under the Crawford
County System, it is not possible for
the party in this county to take
similar STEPS, but the individual can
didates, ard especially those who are
applicants for offices, charged with
the care o. the roads, should make it
plain to the voters that they will
favor a reform in road building and
road mer ding.
All that the average taxpayer re-
ceives from the taxes annually col.
lected from him is that spent on the
schools and highways. Fortunately,
the form er is in excellent condition,
leaving mall room for criticism. 1t
is there fore, much more important
for us to handle the public road ques-
ton in a similar manner. The road
tax has nearly always been moderate
in amount and if adequate returns
were received, no complaint would
be made. But many ofour taxpayers
feel that the money is practically
thrown away and there is much
truth in this argument. If Hartford
county had all the money that has
been levied for this purpose for the
past fifty years, it would macadamize
every mile of road and leave snug
little sum besides. As a mill cannot
be run by the water that has passed,
so it is necessary to let bygones be
bygones and take up the question in
its present shape.
The concensus of opinion seems to
be that it is not fair or right to let
the County Commissioners make all
of the improvements. The State at
large is interested in this movement
as it will materially raise the taxable
basis to have better roads. A num-
Der of the northern States have re-
Gently taken decided steps in this
direction and these Commonwealth
bear one-half ofthe cost of permanent
improvements. At the last session
of the Legislature of Pennsylvania a
bill was adopted on substantially
the same lines. Fortunately Mary
land is situated in a different posi-
ton. She has at ready command n
source of income that is possessed by
very few of the adjoining States. We
allude to the barren oyster beds of
MARYLAND about which there has
been much agitation. Mr.. B. Howard
Hannah has brought to the attention
of successive Legislatures the i'm
portance of turning to account these
beds and devoting the money there
from for the purpose of improving
our public roads. 1t has been re-
peatedly pointed out that this will
produce sufficient amount ofmoney
to at least pay the interest on bonds
that could be issued for that purpose,
and, at the same time, provide sink
ing fund for their ultimate redemp-
ton.
Coincident with this is a national
movement which owes its incipiency
to Mr.. Brownlow, of Tennessee. He
prepared and introduced bill at the
recent session of Congress that pro-
vided for the taxation of the surplus
stock of the trusts, and the fund thus
provided, was devoted by the Gov
eminent to aid in building public
roads. Should this or similar legis-
lation be adopted, the Government
could bear one-half the expense, the
State one-fourth and the remaining
fourth could easily be raised by local
taxation. 1t seems to us that this is
a practical solution of the whole
question and that as much legisla-
tion will be necessary, it is important
that the Democratic party, which
always has the good of the people at
heart, should be forward in a move
ment looking to a practical con-
summation of a solution of this
vexatious subject.
In order to keep in touch with the
modern trend of times it is necessary
that something be done at once in
order to prevent the rapid depopula-
ton of the rural districts. Statistics
show that many of the young men
are focking to the cities simply from
the fact that farming does not pay.
The principal reason that it is not
profitable is on account of the ex-
pensive hauls necessary to get pro-
duce to markets. 1t is dead loss
to every one and has no correspond
ing gain anywhere. The movement
will be a popular one and the tax
payers should not hesitate to endorse
the same by voting for those who
show that they fully comprehend the
Importance of the subject and will
act accordingly.
More than 200 lives lost, 10000
people homeless, property valued at
from Sc, 100000 to 100000 de-
stroyed, crops damaged to the