Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1909-09-01
THE EFFORT FOR GOOD ROADS.
Township Committee Makes Sugges-
tions-Meeting for September z.

Quite number of the citizens of
Oconee county are making efforts,
extra efforts, to improve the public
roads and to erect better and more
durable bridges. They want bridges
built of approved material, and prop
erly located. These citizens have no
axe to grind; they want good roads
properly located and kept in good
condition.
The committee of one from each
township beg leave, therefore, to call
the attention of our fellow-citize
to facts which warrant their atten-
ton and action:
/. The Supervisor and County
Commissioners find themselves with
out sufficient funds to put the roads
in good condition and make perma-
nent improvements.
2. The present county officials
found claims against the county
which have nearly exhausted the last
tax levy. This was not their fault,
and we do not allege that it was the
fault of their predecessors; but nev-
ertheless this is the condition of our
affairs. Doubtless the mode Of work
ing the roads and other necessary
expenses is the primary cause OF our
present financial condition We
think these conditions can be i'm
proved, and we beg to bring to the
attention OF our follow-citizens GER
tain changes which we recommend
some of which are as follows:
3. The capitation tax can be in
creased to 81 or SO. This tax Is to
be expended in the township where
it Is raised.
4. There is a proposition before
us to return to the old mode of
working the roads; that is, that each
person liable to road duty shall work
six or twelve days, If SO much be nee
essary to keep the roads in good con-
dition.
s. That for all bridges on our
large streams the materials used
snail be iron or steel, the latter per-
haps being more durable
6. That a Board of County Com
missioners is perhaps not necessary
when we have an efficient Supervisor.
We now have only two County Com
missioners. If such Commissioners
are really necessary, we think there
should be one for each township.
z. We recommend that the public
roads be measured, and that these
roads be posted, and that Ginger
boards be securely posted at the
forks of all public roads.
8. That each township be empow-
cred to vote bonds for the improve
ment of the roads and to build
bridges, just as is done to raise
money to improve the public schools.
.. We learn with much pleasure
that the citizens of the town of Sen
eca have raised by subscription the
handsome sum of two thousand five
hundred dollars to improve the pub
lie roads leading to that frurishing
town. This is good example for
other towns and neighborhoods to
follow. We are compelled to have
good roads if our county is to pros
per, and we are to keep pace with
the times.
10. Another. proposition Is to lew
a tax on vehicles. This suggestion is
one that may be profitably consid-
cred.
II. That the road machinery, to-
gether with good plows, be diligently
ana constantly used where same can
be done to advantage.
12. That a committee of three he
created for the purpose Of ascertain
ing the financial condition of the
county, at least for the last ten wears,
13. That the citizens of Oconee
county be respectfully requested to
attend meeting for the consideration
of the issues raised in this report,
said meeting to be held at WaIhalla
Court House on Tuesday, September
1th, 1909. Respectfully submitted.
=; ). Bailenger, w. J. Stribling,
T.. A. Perry, r. A. Thompson,
Jesse Lay, James Brown,
D. r. Garter, A. Zimmerman,
D. A. COOK, r. l.. Symes,
Good Roads Committee.