The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-02-04
Agitation for Good Roads May Bear
Fruit Shortly.
STATE AID FOR OLD HIGHWAY
Suggested BY a Correspondent Who
Say SHAT Real Estate Has Deprecia-
ted and the Population Decreased
Because of Neglect of the National
Road In Garrett County.
To the Editor of The Republican.

are making large appropriations for
this purpose, conventions are being
held, associations formed, and the
press is pushing this pressing prob
lem. The public finally realizes that
the progress and development of the
country depends largely upon trans
portation and the improvement of
our roads. 1t is also recognized and
acknowledged that the state should
assume the iniatory by liberal and
generous aid in making these great
public improvements. The retiring
executive in the strongest terms ad-
vocated large state appropriations for
better roads. The Governor in his
inaugural address assured us that he
was in hearty sympathy with this
movement, asserting that his party's
platform promised the people such
improvements and said the pledge
should be redeemed. 1t therefore APP
pears that this longdelayed legisla-
ton will be enacted. Various bills
ale proposed. Perhaps the "Haman"
bill will prove the most practical.
The people should urge their repre-
sentatives to act promptly in this
vital matter. The farmers demand
better roads. Rural life is made com
Portable, the value of farms greatly
enhanced and the labor and cost of
transporting their products to market
largely lessensd. In every way the
life and property and business of the
farmer is deeply affected by this
matter.
Garrett county is more concerned
/ than any county in the state owing
| to her large area and sparse popula-
| ton. The decline and decay of the
National Road running through the
northern section of the county has
resulted in great depreciatiano OF prop
erty, loss of population and deci ease
of wealth; in fact, it is difficult to
/ dispose of real estate in that section.
/ The young and enterprising are mi
| grating and all efforts to secure emf
grafton has failed. The condition of
| our roads appear to be the chief cause
of complaint. The National Road
was built by the United States gov
eminent, from Cumberland westward.
and when managed and controlled by
/ the government it was considered the
best road in America if not in the
world. Much of it is now in fair con-
ditiCn, while portions are barely pass
able for vehicles. We speak of that
section lying in Garrett county. To
| those of us who remember this road
in the days of her glory, pride and
power, the present condition is sad
and suggestive. The splendid, wide,
smooth, we'll graded, deeply macad-
amized road, with its massive bridges
and many culverts, crowded with
stage coaches, heavy wagons and
never-ending droves of cattle, famous
hotels filled with travellers, flourish
ing towns, busy villages and comfort
able hamlets, furnishing markets for
all products of the thrifty, prosperous
/ farmers.
This was the first great highway
crossing the Allegheny mountains
and connecting the east and west.
What the railroads are today the Ma
tional Road was fifty years ago.
| Presidents, statesmen, senators and
congressman have passed oyer this
road, admiring the scenery and sur
prised at its traffic. Henry Clay was
the founder and always the friend of
the National Road. Greet, indeed,
would be his grief and deep his dis
! pair could he view the ruin, desola-
ton and dissertation of his pet pro-
ject. "Sic transit gloria mundl.n
The people should Immediately for
ward petitions or send delegations to
Annapolis to urge and advocate an
appropriation for this road. AS it
directly interests the northern and
eastern section of the county imme-
date and concerted action should be
taken. The large land owners along
the old pike are deeply interested and
should bestir themselves in pushing
this Improvement.
Frostburg is the market for all that
region. The merchants of that thriv-
ing city understand the Importance
of this movement and will come to
the aid of our people. The urgency
and Importance of this matter cannot
be overstated. For years the condi-
ton of our roads have dlsgusted
strangers and discouraged our people.
Now that the strong arm of the state
is within reach let us at least make a
united effort to secure this aid.
OCCASIONAL.
Baltimore, Md, Jan. %, 1904.
I O. fsH.