The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-08
THE ROAD PROBLEM.

In Governor Ireland's general mes
sage, attention is called to our high
ways. Public roads, as an element of
civilization. he does not assert, exer-
else powerful influence on the pro-
gress and well being of civilization. no
single feature in organized society be
ing a greater reflex of popular progress
than the condition of the highways.
There is scarcely anything which can
do so much to make existence intolera-
blein well populated country as unim-
proved roads. In all inhabited coun-
tries which have conjunction Of
good soil and sufficient rainfall, the
necessity exists for artificial roadways.
II is fair inference, therefore, that
the better the country the worse the
roads; and as population grows the
evil grows, till it is relieved by the
enterprise and forecast of the people.
Hence it is few states have greater
need of improved roads than Texas.
The Republican. in discuasi7G this
same question as applied to Ills souri
and Illinois, says:
The vast production of these states
and the multiplying population in
crease the urgency for action on this
subject. The people are at the thresh-
old OF the question. Nothing COM
prehensiye and going to tho essence
OF the matter has been done in either
state. Legislatures, therefore, are not
| embarrassed by former imperfect Sys-
tens. but are free to embark on
the wiseSt plan which experience and
science have discovered either in this
or older lands. So far as Missouri is
| concerned, it has not been practicable
| until now to attempt anything syste-
| matte on the subject of permanent
roads at public or municipal expense.
4 But now, plainly, il il time that this
I subject were discussed with a view to
| the inauguration of wise and COM
| prehensive system, which shall give
all the fertile counties of Missouri,
within the next few years, good roads.
To this end it has been suggested in
! Illinois that the state shall have a
careful and minute Typographical sur
vey made al public expense.
Another feature of road build
| ing in that state Is the
plan of tile-draining of ali road-beds,
a work which it is declared goes far
toward making dirt roads passable
| within a very short time after rain.
l The object desired involves the out
| lay of a great amount of money and
the aid of capacity and experience.
| The full fruitiOn of any proper system
is many years in the future. The
outlay required ought to be spread
over many years and its burdens
! equitably distributed on those who
are to receive the benefits. The ques-
tion AS to who shall pay for roads and
| how they shall pay, Is one of the most
difficult to be settled. Yet it must be
settled. and roads must be built and
maintained The subject is entirely
worthy the best ability in the state.
No state has deeper interest in this
subject than Texas. and yet our roads
are wretched in the extreme. Bad
roads in any state are destructive to
animal life, and too often they destroy
mans hope of a blessed residence in
that city whose streets are paved with
gold. Therefore the eighteenth legis-
lature might immortalize itself by
inaugurating some plan for making
good roads. Why. down in Senator
STATIONS district, where the deep
water craze does not pervate the pop
pular mind, the road subject is all im-
portant: and so it is in even the
hilly, black and red land
districts The public man who will
give US system that will insure pass
able roads in Texas during wet sea-
sons will, beyond much of O donbt,
succeed Mr.. Maxey in the United
States senate. Probably the governor
may present the plan.