The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1884-06-14

RAVsN4 1i otSA mum ~ C8kAlCQ Vu
from year to year win result in
beneficial results.
OF the advantages Of good
roads admitting Of transportation
Of marketable products and travel
at all seasons Of the year, particu.
larly In the winter, when the farm.
er is least busy on his farm, the
people only know the value by a
full and continued experience
with the disadvantages caused by
the blockades during the winter
and spring months.
If there could be built In every
county, or better, to every railroad
station, one good road fit for trav-
el every day In the year, the ad.
vsntages Of such a road would, we
believe, commend themselves to
all interested SO strongly that
they would not rest contented un.
I'll every important thoroughfare
should be likewise improved.
Railroads are the main streams
into which all the smaller streams
fow. Obstruction Of the lesser
streams diminish the volume Of the
main current, and vice versa. To
secure q regular current of bust
ness during all seasons would be
much desired result. To increase
the area of trade. e.territory is de-
sirable. To make the present area
doubly populous and productive
is equally desirable. With the
present imperfect road facilities,
both area aud increase alluded to
are alike impracticable or impos-
sible, and advance in business is
at o staud-still. Then how shall
the railroad companies meet this
question:
Az co.partners in interest these
companies should seek TO interest
the authorities of the several coun.
ties which they traverse in o con.
ccrted action which will inure to
mutual advantage.
l. By securing the application
of the tax levied on them by the
county authorities towards the
betterment Of the roads leading to
their stations. Beginning at the
station q few miles Of improved
roadway would practically demon.
strate the great advantage Of such
improved roads and invite further
improvement. This system OF i'm
provement must necessarily be
gradual, but when fairly establish
ed It will not be allowed to STOP
2. The railroad companies should
not be expected to tax themselves
to psy out money directly or con-
tinuously to this end, beyond the
tax levied-though they might in
some cases see it to their interest
TO make an outlay on the principle
Of self interest--just as they build
extensions and branches to en-
large their business. But this
they should do: they should coop
crate with the county authorities
BY detailing some of their engin.
GERS to improve or reconstruct the
| location Of important roads lead.
| ing to their lines. Proper location
and grade are absolutely nccessa-
~ to Improvement, without which
labor and time will be thrown
away. With proper location I'M
proved construction Of the road
bed would be the next step. In
oil roads, drainage of surplus wa
ter is sine qua non. Subsequent
steps will be governed by the ma
ture Of the soil and the material
most convenient to make q proper
road-bed. OF the proper modes
only q man well skilled in such
matters could determine.
8. As all the roads cannot be
improved in one year the improve
ments should begin on the most
important, to be followed up on
the others as fast as practicable,
1t is useless land our people had
better appreciate II at once) to ex.
pect the young and enterprising OF
our population to remain in a
country where roads forbidding
business for one.third Of the year
are allowed to remain so. People
who make crops which must come
into competition with those OF
more favored regions must not
have them burdened with bad
road expenses equal to 9 heavy
duty.