The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1914-11-05
WITH LOCAL OPTION
AFTER MAY FIRST
What Next For Garrett County To
Make 1t a Leader.

the question naturally aries, what next
important move shall be made in Gar
rett county?
Garrett county has been steadily
moving to the foreground. The citi-
zens of the county have been busy
cleaning the land and putting it in a
good state of cultivation, building for
themselves comfortable homes, and
surrounding themselves with the con-
veniences and comforts of life.
AS one travels over the county he
is impressed by the many neat and at
tractlve churches. parsonages and
houses, Indicative of prosperous and
happy people. There is seen an i'm
provemenC in the village and county
neighborhood school houses. Better
church buildings are keeping pace with
better homes. This is a healthy sign
of a progressive and prosperous people.
1t is a step IN the right direction. 1t is
to the greatest credit of the people of
the country.
Our public road system is becoming
better as the years come and go. This
follows next to the church and school,
house. Good roads means better teams,
better farms, happier people and an in
crease in the bank account. The state
road from the county seat to Grants
vile, almost completed, will prove a
great advertisement of Garrett county.
Hundred of outsiders will be attracted
to the county because of this road. The
Oakland Gortner road is progressing
nicely it will prove great public con-
venience and will afford a delightful
driveway to many pleasure seekers,
and great help to the farming COM
munltv through which it passes.
Garrett county needs good roads.
They are needed, badly needed The
citizens of every part of the county
are entitled to the best roads possible.
The road from McHenry to Friendsville
has had some real attention the present
year. Splendid work has been done,
some improvement has been made.
The work should be continued along the
same line, until the county road to
Friendsville shall be as good as to
Grantsville. There should be a good
servicable road from the county road
via Mountain Lake Park, Deer Park to
Swanton, thence to Kitzmiller. A be-
ginning has been made. Something
has been accomplished. So far so good.
The good work must be continued
until the county is covered. True, the
county is large. the largest in the state,
but that is no reason why the county
should be satisfied with the horse kill
ing, wagon destroying roads found in
some parts of the county. 1t is true,
that while we are the largest county in
the state, as far as square miles are
concerned, we lack in population and
tillable land, but we are growing. Farm
land is increasing, our people are be-
coming more wealthy and better
able to do and pay more for better
roads.
THE REPUBLICAN cOngratulates the
Industrious, successful inhabitants of
this mountain region over what they
have accomplished. They have trans
ferred the wilderness into a place of
beauty and profit. They have out
grown the day of the log cabin and
moved into the home of comfort and
convenience. The OK cart has disa-
ppeared and in its place is the automo-
bile.
The forests are disappearing and
orchards of fine fruit are taking their
place. The Garrett county of today
was seen at the fair last October. 1t
was magnificent picture of what had
been accomplished in the year of our
Lord 1915; it was a tore-runner of
what was to come.
What of the future? The local option
campaign. which closed last Tuesday,
shows the value of cooperation and de-
termination, 1t was glorious victor y
because of the united action of the
friends of ordor and sobrIety. 1t Illus
trates how new ideas are to be pushed
to success; shows that whereIthere is a
will there is way.
What shall be the next move to ad
vance Garrett county one grade high
er? What one thing shall occupy our
thoughts and attention?
Why not all unite in the completion
of our good road system? 4 Have good
road day or two days, as in West
Virginia and other states, when every
one shall turn out and give their service
for road betterment, in addition to the
work done by the County Commits
sioners. This would not be hardship
to any one, but 1t would. greatly i'm
prove road conditions.
AS much time and thought given to