Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-10-26
To Continue Road Building In
Worcester County

In accordance with an Act of the
Legislature, passed at the General
Session 1908, the County Commissioners
advertise in this weeks paper the sale
of S25, 10000 road improvement bonds.
This is to carry on the permanent road
improvement to great extent under
the Provisions Of the Shoemaker law.
and is to give assistance to certain
localities not likely to be benefited by
the State Road. This will mean an
expenditure of about $50, 000. 90 on road
improvement, with what will be obtained
from the State and the property holders
added to this bond issue.
Under the former bond issue two
miles of macadam road were built at
Pocomoke City. two miles at Stock
ton, two miles at Berlin. two miles at
Snow Hill, about one and one half miles
OF shell road leading toward lndiantown
at Snow Hill, about one and one-fourth
miles of shell road through the town of
WhaIeyville, shell road on the cause
way at Pocomoke City, a shell road
across the marsh at Ocean City, mile
Of shell road at Georges Island Land
ing near Stockton, macadam road from
the Station to the main road at Newark,
and the work so far done on the mac
adam road through the town of
Bishopville. also the repairs to the Shoe
maker roads which were chargeable to
this fund.
There seems to be general demand
for the continuance of this good work
throughout the county. The Bishopville
road has to be completed. The town of
Girdletree is asking for a permanent
road through their town and are natur-
ally entitled to same. The people of
Pocomoke City and Atkinson's District
are asking for two miles of shell road
leading from Pocomoke into said Dis
trict. This section has never had any
thing in the way of permanent improve
ments, and it is only fair that they
should be served. The Taxpayers of
Indantown are asking for another mile
Of shell road, offering to haul all the
shells and place on the road, which shows
a liberal spirit for Improvement, and
should be encouraged. The town of
VAUDEVILLE and Taxpayers are asking
for more shells at that point. offering
to take same from cars and place on
the roads without expense to the Coun-
ty. An opportunity presents itself for
building another mile of shell road at
Stockton without the shells costing any,
thing, and the whole mile can be built
for at least Sl.50o.00. This opportunity
should be taken advantage of by the
County. They have just completed a
mile costing only about 100000 at that
point.
1t strikes us. that what ever shells
can be obtained at reasonable cost,
that this is the kind of road on which
the money from the county should be
expended. They make good road. and
though not as lasting as the macadam
road, are much more easily repaired.
and at very little cost in comparison
with the maintenance of stone road.
Besides, the cost in the beginning is less
than half the cost of stone road, and
thus we can get great many more
miles for onr money. and benefit a great
many more of our people, which is
the main object of this issue of bonds.
The bonded Indebtedness of Worces-
ter County is very small in comparison
with the taxable basis. and with the
bonded Indebtedness of other counties.
In fact, most of the towns on the shore
have a larger bonded indebtedess than
our whole county.
The first of these bonds expires in
1916. the last ones in 1857, and they will
be no burden upon the tax payers of this
county during the present generation.
We think the Comfy Commissioners
are to be congratulated on the progress
sive spirit manifested along the lines Of
Improvement. also on what has been
accomplished in the last five years.
Very few counties in the State can show
as many miles of improved roads during
that period as the county Of Worcester.
and none of them so many miles with
as little cost. II is source Of gratifica-
ton to me to see this work continued,
and, as far as possible, to see every Sec
ton of our county benefited by this ex-
penditure.
J. EDWARD WHITE,
County Treasurer.