Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-02-01
MEMPHIS APPEAL
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 1, 1883


THURSDAY, FEBRUARY /, 1883
DIET ROADS
The multiplicity OF railroads and their
convenience and popularity az great thor
oughfares have inspired in the public mind
supreme contempt for the old-fashioued dir
roads. Fifty years ago the big roads which
led TO the mills, the county towns, the
churches, the trading marts, aad which
sometimes passed through several States,
were TO the people what the railroads
are at present. In those days it wss regarded
a. progress in civilization 10 be able 10
move from the wilds of The backwoods 10 the
big road; only the better classes could enjoy
such luxury. The old-fashioned stage
coach was always an object Of curiosity, and
when the menagerie passed the road
was lined with the denizens of the hills and
hollows, who had Travelled miles 10 get
glimpse at the show. The CROSSROADS
were the great central depots, and he &c AEON
Tor working on the roads W as hailed with de-
light, 80 1t was one OF the few occasions
which enabled neighbors TO mingle with
each other and to discuss the news, which was
regarded fresh even if three months old.
But 1t seems the construction Of railroads in
sPired contempt for ordinary dirt roads.
The impression obtains that these thorough
fares should be obiterated so soon as the
stage coach was retired, and the result is
such thing as good neighborhood road is
unknown. 10 the eagerness for rapid transit,
the whirl of new facilities for travel, the
people forget that towns and cities
are built up and the price of land en-
HANGED by good dirt roads. Many of
the towns in Middle Tennessee can
trace their population and prosperity to good
dirt roads. A railroad sometimes destroys
a town, but turnpike road never. The i'm
provements On either side OF the boulevard.
near Memphis shows how rapidly macad-
amized road enhances the value Of property.
But il is gratifying 10 see that reaction
has taken place in the public mind. In
every section of Tennessee the press is dis
cussing the necessity of good roads. This
question occupies the attention OF the Leg
islsture, and a bill will no doubt be passed
providing for general system OF improv-
ing dirt roads. The necessity Of good
roads seems TO have impressed itself on the
public mind in other States. The Charlotte
IN. c. journal says:
The magnificent highways which radiated
from Rome all over Europe, and which have |
attracted the wonder and admiration Of sub |
sequent ages, were among the grandest illus. |
trations OF her power and glory as the mis-. |
treas OF the world, and are the most splendid |
monuments to her material civilization.
The marvellous roads built thousands OF |
years ago and used 10 this day in Peru, |
stretching for hundreds of miles over APP
parently impossible mountains, and in many
places built of solid rock, are about the only |
evidences remaining OF the wealth, the pow
er and the civilization of these remarkable
governments which existed under the Incas;
and 30 il has been, and now is, with every |
country that has attained ascendency among
the nations. We do not hesitate to say that
these Southern States of America are behind
any civilized country on earth in the matter
OF their public highways. They are adisgrace
10 our civilization and TO the age in which
We live They are the direct result. and in
aeparable companion OF the Ignorance, indo-
US as a people, and, until improvement takes
place very markedly and generally, they will
constitute the sure and unmistakable evil
dence of our inferiority in the arts which go
to make an enlightened and prosperous
country. No man, who has ever travelled in
the Northern and New England States, will
deny the vast superiority of their public
highways over any to be found in the South.
Go into the most sparsely settled region OF
those States, away from the towns and rail-
roads, and there you find hard, well-graded
roads, always in good condition, and first
class bridges over all the streams. We
speak from personal knowledge and, special
observation on this subject. We hsye trav-
eled over such roads in the poorest and
most thiniy settled part OF Northern New
England, and know whereof we speak. Their
condition, and that Of the bridges was con-
slant subject Of remark with US. II is not
true that this condition OF the public high
ways at the North is due solely to the greater
wealth and denser population OF the coun-
try. On the contrary, the greater wealth
10 the splendid highways. These highways
kept pace with the public schools Of the
country and its commercial necessities.
There are already four important rail-
roads running into Memphis, and when the
other three shall have been completed, as
they will be during the next six months, our
people will hatter themselves into the belief
that they will have finished city. and that
it will be beneath their dignity 10 concern
themselves about such contemplate mat.
1ers, such obsolete ideas as dirt roads, which
subsided with the stage coach. But they
will discover that city to be progressive
must avail itself Of every facility that adds
to its business and population, and that one
of the most potent auxiliaries are good
roads. The new railroads whose completion
we go anxiously desire, were constructed by
foreign capital. They have bsen no tax to
the city or TO the business men
who expect TO profit by their con-
truction, and since others are building
for our benefit, we ought TO have
enough enterprise 10 make our city easy Of
access by good dirt roads. 1t would be
sound economy to build half a dozen turn
pike roads leading into Memphis. The
property on either side would be made more
Such roads are not only matters
of public pride and public convenience. but
they will prove alike beneficial 10 city and