Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1871-08-26

ated more plausible than the truth
of science-these views are takel
up and practiced upon 10 the exclu
sion OF the truths put forth by mel
of science. And here the occurrence
of the many errors and failures witt
the operations of men.
The history of man from the ear
liest ages of the world down to III,
present time, confirm the truth O
these views. History teaches u
that wherever and whenever men 0
science have controlled the opera
tions, whether of building temple
or cities, ruling governments ol
prosecuting 4 war, success has in
variably followed their efforts
Wherever the rulers of a nation
have duly appreciated the advan
tages of science, and have e.vaileC
themselves of it, that nation ha:
arisen in the world and prevailed il
war.
The reign of Peter the Great in
Russia, and the recent contest be-
tween France and Prussia, are strik-
ing illustrations. Peter, by appre-
ciating science, raised an obscure ma
tiOn to an enviable eminence; and
Prussia, a nation in every respect ex-
cept the appreciation Of science By
her rulerS, the inferior, in IL few
short months completely subjugates
France. And we find it to be the
case, not only with governments,
but with corporations and indlvidu-
ais, that wherever science is appre-
ciated, success follows their opera
tions. In fact, civilization is bat the
development of science. Man with
out science is a asavage; and civilized
nations merge into barbarism when
ever they neglect science.
Coming nearer home and taking a
view of the past history of our city
and county, we find the truth Of the
proposition amply verified. When
men of science have controlled pub
lie works, success has followed. But,
which is usually the case, when law
yers, merchants, etc, to the exclu-
sion of men of science, have had the
control of that about which they
knew nothing, failure has inevitably
resulted. Whole communities are
sometimes led astray by tho soph-
isms of persons whose false views
are taken for truths, and run head
long after some igRis.fatuus which
is never come up with.
"The sober second thought of
the people, however, when they are
allowed time to think, often checks
their mad career and saves them
from ruin. We had an illustration
of the truth of this, in our city, near
the close of the last year. The citi-
zens of Jackson, after they had Civ
EN- their assent, were by an accident
al circumstance or providential in
prevented from being
taxed So, 900 per annum for ten years,
1t the end of which time they would
have still been owing $50, O,expend-
ed in building a wood pavement,
.ong before rotted and worn out.
In order that chemical action, be-
5wiXt the elementary principles of
which ligneous fibres are composed,
termed decay" may take place, the
presence of oxygen and water is
Wood absolutely free
from moisture, and kept so, will not
lecay, neither will it rot without
oxygen. Most timber contains with
IN itself sufficient oxygen and InOis-
lure to cause it to undergo a chem
cal action, termed ''dry rot" and
blocks of wood, though previously
in pitch, will, ordinarily,
contain sufficient water and oxygen
to cause them to decay. Moreover,
it is not possible so to insolate blocks
Of wood in 4 pavement that mois-
ture will not penetrate them
Hence no wood pavement will last.
This fact has uniformly been verified
by experience. As might have been
however, since heat IA
cilitates decay, wood pavements last
longer in northern than in southern
climate. 1t is is also well known
to some that the same kinds of wood
when grown in some climates will
not last as long as when grown in
others, and that the timber grown
in West Tennessee will soon decay.
in West Tennessee, wood
pavements have so far been, and
ever will be, failure.
In confirmation ofthe above views,
it is found that wood pavements
thus far "haye not come up to pub
ic expectations" ''that holes and
rotten places may be found i'll any
ten yards square of the pavement in
Memphis" that it is badly affected
Dy 'dry rot in two years, at Column
bus, o. "that the average duration
IS three years at Cincinnati;" ''near-
y ruined by 'dry rot in four years."
1t Toledo. Their average duration
IN New York is three years, St.
Louis, four to six years, and their
average duration in Chicago is from
seven to nine years, the longest aver
lge duration known.
Notwithstanding the continual IL
ustration of these facts, communi-
les will still be, as they ever have
Deen, led astray by the plausible
3ophisms Of persons who do not |
understand what they are talking
bout. And youths will still con-
.inue to be taught, to the exclusion
If science, that which is more popu-
ar, less useful, and which requires
ess effort of mind to attain.
Baron James de Rothschild, dur
NC the Communist period in Paris,
vas one morning seated in his cabi-
let, when two fellows from the fau-
Oourgs, armed to the teeth, entered
md asked to be shown in to citlZeh
"Gentlemen," said he.
what can l do for yOu:" 'Well,
his is what we have got to say: You
nave millions of money, and the peO-
pie want bread; so you must share,
Or if not -" ''Share? Very well.
How many are you in France"-
perhaps thirty millions" "And
how much money do you suppose l
lave?' Say a hundred and fifty
"Well, then, among thir-