The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1903-04-15

Another Communication on the Geod
Roads Movement Don't Think that
Former Correspondent has Proper
Ideas

Roads Movement Don't Think that
Former Correspondent has Proper
Ideas
To the Editor of the NEW DoMIsIox.
Being native and resident OF Mon
engalia county, and having carefully
considered the suggestions and theor-
les pertaining to the betterment OF the
county roads, published IN our local
papers, hope you will permit me
making some corrections. criticisms
and general remarks, through your
paper.
10 Mondays issue s. An Old Cam
paignern displayed very poor judg-
ment, and misstated facts. :.
Surely be does not wish the position
OF civil engineer for the county?
1t appears to me his aspirations in
the past have been in different chan
nels, and Judging from his effort
Monday. he would be failure in that
position.
1t is not true that route could be
secured down the river shorter, or bet
ter, than the present MorRantown and
Fairmont pike. Instead Of 1t being
to ! mile shorter, as claimed by him,
1t would be more than 4 mile longer
than the present established road, and
through loamy soil, receiving all the
drainage from the adjacent hills.
lie is evidently not familiar with the
location OF the roads on the West
side.
The present road running through
Granville to the Pennsylvania line
merges with the M. s. r. pike just
one mile from tsercourt house, and
aver oae- eighth miie soGih "a III.
river.
From this 1t can easily be seen that
the proposed road down the river could
not take the place of the presen t
road, as it would require those coming
from the southwest to travel an eighth
OF mile farther to reach Morgafftown.
One-half the travel over the present
road comes from the southwest.
We have no objection to road down
the river, but TO advocate It's taking
the place of the present road, is per-
fectly absurd.
Can it be possible "An Old Cain
paignern has interests In Riverside?
We know experts differ but this
time we take the judgment Of the
" experimental roads, expert Ia pref
erence to "An Old Campaigner' y
stuff. The present road is practical
bly,, permanently and prudently locat-
ed, with reasonable grade and good IA
cilities for caring for water.
When it is properly shaped, drained
and macadamized, as it will be this
summer, the public will be pleased
and proud.
If IAN Old Campaigner wishes to
establish the river route, aud have it
operated under the "Alternate Road
Law" we wish him quick action and
sure success.
Does he want a contract for that
section We think not. l will VEN
ture he knows nothing, personally or
practically, of Matchmaking.
A person would not have to be a
mind reader to guess who he is.
The ALTERNATE Road Law was n
tended for repairing roads, not i'm
proving the character and grade of
them.
How could section contractor
know how to bid unless he knew what
waste be done? How many farmers
are there who are equipped to under
take road building Not one.
Any of them with plow, wagon
pick, shovel and maddox can obli-
gate themselves for so much to keep
the road under their division "as good
as usual" nothing more.
We re-assert the "Alternate Road
Law" system is all right for repairing,
but not for " making" roads such as
we need and demand.
He surely is opposed to issuing
bonds for " road making, as cham
pioned by Mr.. Goodwin, although at
tempting to conceal his purpose. He
lives in town, evidently does not keep
horse and dislikes increase in taxes.
If we are compelled to wait for bet
ter roads until made under require
ments of "An Old Campaigner y, we
will forever wait.
We are heartily ia favor t r>isii
a sufficient amonnt by issuing mo-
to put in the best possible condition
all the county roads, usirs. what is
the best and most prsclicat'se, Cot /
ering localities, char cter ef soil, etc.
This should be superintendent by a ca
pable, consistent, practical, expert
enced man, who is not only civil en-
gineer. but one thoroughly yersed in the
construction of roads, the character
of road-beds, the proper material to
use and the time in the year to do it.
continuing the work until completed.
READY's BROTHER.