Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-03-22
stirring Tn Our Road Affairs.


Jefferson county, and particularly in Shep-
herdstown district, the past few weeks
has resulted in considerable expression
of public opinion on this matter, and there
is hope that out OF the discussion there
will come real improvement to our public
roads. In response to last Friday Call
a considerable number of farmers and
others, including some OF our largest tax
PAYERS, met at the firemen's hall. E. l.
Goldsborough was made chairman OF the
meeting, and there was free discussion
of the roads question. Marshall w. Nc
Donald, of Charles Town district, was
present, and gave some interesting facts
and figures along the line OF his letter
published in last weeks Register. The
new road law, which goes into effect The
first OF next June, was read in part and
IFS provisions discussed The consensus
of opinion was that the present system Of
road management is not satisfactory and
that change should be sought. A reso-
luton was passed, with no dissenting
vote, urging the county court to appoint
county supervisor. to be in charge OF
the roads OF the entire county, as con-
templated by the new law. Another res
olution, passed unanimously, was that the
old method of managing the roads OF
Shepherdstown district, namely, by di-
viding the district into three sub-districts
with supervisor or boss in each, be re-
stored for the present, at least, and that
the court be requested 10 allow this course
TO be put into effect. A committee was
appointed to recommend three good men
for these places, the committee being
composed OF E. L. Goldsoorough, Geo.
M. Knott, H. c. Marshall, J. d. Muldoon
and Joccb s. OSbourn.
This same committee was instructed to
attend the public meeting before the coun-
ty court on Saturday and present the
above resolutions. After further discus
sion the meeting adjourned, subject TO
the call OF the chairman.
A spirited meeting was held before the
county court in Charles Town on Satur-
day, which was participated in by citizens
from every section Of the county, lnclud-
ing a large delegation from Shepherds
town district. The president OF the court,
N. r. Roberts. presided. The new law
passed by the Legislature recently was
discussed, but Mr.. Roberts stated that IFS
provisions had not yet been fully studied,
and he could not say what portion was
mandatory and what was optional.
On motion OF Marshall w. Mcdonald.
a committee of ten persons, one from
each district to be appointed by the court
and one from each district to be appoint
ed by the citizens there present. was
formed, for the purpose OF considering
the road question and making a report
and recommendations to the court in
writing. This committee was composed
OF the following: E. L. Goldsborough,
Frank X. McQuilkin, Marshall w. Nc
Donald, VIM. M. Burns, Charles Crane,
J. VIM. Rider, William Childs, J. w.
Blackiord, Logan Shut, I. J. West. The
committee was requested TO meet the
court at SPECIAL meeting TO be held Fri
day OF this week.
Mr.. Goldsborough presented to the
court the resolutions of the Shepherds
town meeting, recommending the en-
ployment OF a county supervisor, and
asking for change in the management OF
he roads of the district. The court
stated that no change could be made at
this time because there was no vacancy
IN the Office of district supervisor.
Charles y Carter, who has been filing
| this place, arose IN open court and tend
cred his resignation, saving that he would
not stand in the way OF the new plan.
Mr.. CaTter's manly action was applauded,
and it was agreed tentatively that the
resolution could now be put in effect for
this district
The large number OF substantial men
that attended the meeting showed that
the people are in earnest in their desire
for road Improvement, and il is taken for
granted that the county court will act in
conjunction with our progressive citizens
to this end. The new road law makes a
number OF changes in the methods OF
making and maintaining roads, some OF
which we publish herewith.
The act provides for a State Road Com
mission, composed oftwo members, who
shall be OF opposite politics, to be ap-
pointed by the Governor, their salary to
be $500 year each. The commission
shall have charge of the public roads of
the State in conjunction with the county
courts of the several counties. Two
classes of roads are TO be provided for
Class A, which shall be under supervision
OF the commission, and Class B, which
shall be il. charge Of The county court.
The Class A roads are those main
county roads which shall receive federal
or State aid. 1.-The county court OF each
county shall establish two or more main
thoroughfares, highways or roads through
said county, at least one OF which roads
shall pass through or connect with the
county seat, and such roads shall be
known as main county roads, and shall
be constructed and maintained in each
county by taxation upon all the taxable
property OF the county, and by apportion-
ments for the federal aid and State road
fund. Such main county roads shall be
so located as TO lead 10 the county seat
of an adjoining or adjacent county, or to
an important commercial centre thereof,
or OF an adjoining State, and so that each
OF said roads will connect at the border
OF said county with like road established