Peninsula Enterprise, June 18, 1887

Public Roads.

Transportation -- Road - ConstructionTransportation -- Road - Maintenance

MR. EDITOR. -- The present road law is openly and flagrantly violated; and violations of it have been brought to the attention of the authorities whose duty it is to enforce it. So dead is it scarcely any attention is paid to it. It is surely a useless law though advocated and sustained by some respected people. As a law abiding people it becomes the authorities, who are the servants of the people and hold their offices from them, first and of the citizens of this county next, to see that this law is either enforced or abolished and a different system adopted. The last is the proper course to most thinking and business men. Our roads now are almost entirely neglected, with no reason why it should be so. The business done on them demands, in the interest of economy, that they should be let to contract. -- They are getting expensive without adequate return. Three thousand eight hundred dollars with the prospect of a larger amount to be added this year, is yearly expended on our roads with little to show for it as a rule simply because those directing the work know nothing of what it should cost. It is reported about $150 are to be appropriated to about one mile of Messongo Neck. We do not say the people there should be compelled to use that road in its present deplorable condition, very far from it. It should be in condition for business at all times as all other roads -- and to be put in that condition and kept so at a minimum cost. Our roads become rough and full of holes because they are not properly drained. If all the water could be turned off after each rain they would be greatly improved. The holes are cut when there is standing water, and wheels and animals passing over work it into mud -- cutting continually deeper by constant stirring and working down.

If our 300 miles of public roads were divided into 20 sections, making 15 miles to each, put on contract, would on the basis of $3800, just referred to give each contractor $190, or $12.66 1/2 per mile, a sum amply sufficient worked under individual responsibility to drain all our roads and give enough money to fill up all holes down the centre of the roads, making for us good business roads, and put money in the pockets of all who use them -- whether for driving or hauling. Money so spent will be much more to the point, and such an investment will give far greater permanent profit than the $3800 now spent under the direction of the court who has no personal knowledge of localities and their needs, and of the viewers sent from one end of the county to the other to make allowances for the improvements which from the nature of the surroundings must be extravagantly paid for. Some improvements of the public highways have been made, and all who have knowledge of them are greatly pleased. For instance, would the county, or the town of Onancock, be willing to receive back the money spent on its improvements, and go back to the mud and mire of by gone days? Is there anyone who regrets the bridging of the streams and grading of hills at Drummondtown? Do the people regret the money spent on the roads to Pitts' Wharf, or down Guilford Neck? Is the opening of the road to Oak Hall station a matter of regret? Would any wish to stop the work doing near Pungoteague? No, Mr. Editor. The men and beasts who traveled over the quagmires of olden days rejoice with exceeding joy at the improvements. If a systematic plan is adopted, and more of the good work is done, it will be but in keeping with this county -- so strong in men and means. -- it would facilitate business, and in the end save much money in expenditure directly on the roads, besides the saving in damage to vehicles and teams, and the increased draught. It is time a new system was adopted.

PROGRESS.