The Republican journal., 1904-07-21
CONCERNING THE ROADS.
A Farmer Suggests that Belfast Should
Mend her Ways.

A Farmer Suggests that Belfast Should
Mend her Ways.
To THE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL:
l would be pleased to inquire through
your valuable columns how the roads in
Belfast are looked after. If by a COM
missioner, then allow me to aver he is
sadly neglecting some of the approach
es to the city. Doubtless there is a suf-
Gent appropriation to at least attend to
the millions of small stones that make
driving beyond walk an impossibility;
but it would seem he has no idea of a
world outside the city limits, and the
good merchants, who seem to be smit-
ten with a. severe stroke of apathetic
paralysis, make no protest that the
condition of the thoroughfares is fast
driving the trade and barter elsewhere.
1t has often been remarked that the
city of Belfast of today is the city of
Belfast of so years ago, while the sur
rounding country is living in the rub
berthe and automobile age. On the
contrary, know that Belfast displays
much aptitude to advancement and
grandeur and could some of those gen.
tlemen with dashing turnouts change
their drive from Northport avenue to
Browns hill, they too would ask why
Mr.. Commissioner does not spend lit
tie time and money in that direction
instead of employing three or four men
to put a plank into the sidewalk with
as much care and deliberation as Mr..
Bryan shows in framing plank into
the Democratic platform.
Good roads have been the subject of
much discussion, with the result that
to-day the country roads are fast gain
ing good reputation. There are thou
sands of dollars spent to-day against
hundreds ten years ago and with the
very best results, and | am quite salts
fed that if the citizens of Belfast
would sit up and take notice they
would realize that their street commits
sioner is not only offering an insult to
the patrons of your city, but at the
same time working a deep and lasting
injury to its merchants. If Belfast
will give us better roads the country
will take pleasure in giving that worthy
city better trade
ONE OF THE FARMERS.
Our correspondent is unduly severe
on our street commissioner, who is not
only not free agent, but is the victim
of system. He takes his orders from
city officials and in general follows
closely in the footsteps of his predeces-
sors. A sufficient amount is no doubt
to properly care for the
streets and highways, and then the
question appears to be, how much of
this money can be carried over to make
a good showing at the end of the munich
pal year. That may be very proper
thing to do, but it accounts for the
wretched condition of the streets and
sidewalks. The latter, in particular,
have been so neglected for many years
that it would require large sum to
put them in proper condition. We are
GLAD to bear testimony to the improved
roads in many of the country towns,
Northport and Islesboro,
(if the latter can be called a country
town. of which we have personal
knowledge. Brooks. also, we believe
to be entitled to credit in this direc-
ton. The State road movement is do
ing much good, but there is still room
for improvement, and some day public
sentiment will demand it'd. Jour
nal.