The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1910-12-23

} ers has declared his purpose to abol.
: ish all tOll-gates within the State
| upon the theory that they are a nui-
= sance. And it would seem that up tt
this time the disposition has been tC
treat them as such in the manner OF
: dealing with them, in utter disregard
of all vested rights therein, and that
many owe their creation to the cal
of the State itself upon public-spirit-
: ed citizens to come to it's relief and
State had attempted but failed to ac-
complish.
Turnpike Legislation.
"A review of the legislation on the
subject i'm this State from 1887 tc
1904 will show that the State for these
IL years endeavored to build these
roads, and finding the task too great
invoked the aid of its public-spirited
citizens to accomplish what the State
had promised but failed to realize
pledging its good faith i'm the char
acters granted.
1.-The act of 1904 chartering three
of the larger turnpike companies re-
cites in it's preamble that the deSir-
able object contemplated by the
Legislature has not been obtained,
and the public expectation almost en-
tirely frustrated and then proceeds
to commit the actual accomplishment
of this necessary and laudable public
enterprise to others.
I'm view of the little that has thus
far been accomplished by the State in
its latest efforts, after much time and
with an immense expenditure of pub
lie funds, especially when we consid-
or the probable cost of maintenance,
| Gf reports are true as to the condi-
ton already of some Of it's expert
mental roadsO we may we'll inquire
whether history will repeat ITSELF
THE labors of this present commits
sion well suggest the old proverb,
'Parturiunt monies nascitur ridiculous
mus'-the mountains were in labor
and brought forth a very small
mouse
IF our turnpike roads, which were
formerly considered a most beneficient
and efficient aid to the State, are now
to be termed nuisances by our Chief
Executive, can it be wondered that
the public characters as hold-ups,
robbery, etc., the petty sums we are
maintain and afford to the public
roads capable of being travelled at
all times and in all seasons with safe
ty and reasonable comfort.
again quoting Judge Lowrie,
Such Is the hostility to toll-gates,
at even honest men are blind to the
dishonesty of aVailing themselves Of
the benefit of such roads while they
r1cyn ar of mt RI In +I@
ment of an occasional half-dime to
compensate its owners or aid in it's
repair
Toney Weller, who became misanthro-
pic, gratified his animosity to the hui
man race by becoming a toll-gate
keeper and collecting toll from trav-
elers.
1--WE are characterized as highway
men, and looked upon as descend
ants or counterparts of Robin-Hood
or Jonathan Wild. These gentle
men of the road who in no manner
contributed to making travel easy
except by sometimes Tightening the
travellers load, are often extolled for
the gentlemanly manner i'm which
they extracted their toll, but even
this faint-praise is denied us, and the
regret seems to be manifest that as
corporations we have neither bodies
to be kicked or souls to be damned.
Larceny and High Finance.
| 1T is robbery, forsooth, for us to
demand a few cents for value re-
ceived, but an exhibition of the high
est public spirit and craftsmanship on
the part of others to confiscate, III
possible, and IL not, then as far an
possible destroy the value of prop
erty representing the money and
means of revenue Of many of its cit
liens. Established principles of right
and wrong must be remodeled to
conform to the advanced doctrines OF
this progressive age, and the old max
Inn de minimis non curat lex finds
Its antithesis in the now accepted
standard that to take a penny is lar
ceny,' to steal thousands il hight
: nance
: 1T is said that the spirit of the
times calls for progress in all things:
: and it would now seem that the old
earth does not afford sufficient space
for the progressive spirit OF some, and
needs be that they must betake them.
selves to the circumambient air, and
before long we may find the Rule.
. of the Road supervised by Rules O.
, the Sky, with Sky-Pilots' or Patrols
to enforce their observance We have
no quarrel with the spirit OF pro
gress, rather do we welcome it. No
do we complain of those who wish fol
better things-even better roads thar
J our turnpikes-but 1t Il well to con
slider whether their hopes are bull
upon q solid foundation, whether they
are not ignoring the substance il
grasping after shadows.
: We may believe that the theorie.
and intentions or the commission arc
good, but theories often fail to worl
out into facts, and intentions furnish
but poor foundation for a solid roar
We all know what region is pro
verbally said to be paved with GOOD
intentions'
"If our turnpikes may BE- charac
terized Gs nuisances, still 1t may b,
well to consider whether 1t liz no
better to bear the Ills we have thar
fy to others that we know not Of
! Good Roads Movement Welcomed
we certainly dc mot with I'd bt
: considered ag hostile to the Goot
Roads movement, rather we welcom,
1t AZ simply following q worthy pre-
: cedent set by our predecessors whit
built our turnpike roads. and DO rub
gtRntially constructed them that man
have listed Tor over 100 years with 7
email average cost for repair.
"N0r sra Vrp hostile m xhs, SNx,v,