The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1885-08-21
COUNTRY ROADS.

of Public Highways.
If there is any one thing in which
the farmer is deeply and largely inter-
ested, it is the roads over which he Is
compelled to travel Over these he
must transport the produce of his farm
to market, travel to the Post-ofiice, and
wherever and whenever his business
calls him. If these are in good con-
dition. it is well; but if they are in bad
condition. the ability of breakage of
vehicles. or wear and tear of vehicles.
horses, etc., is something annoying be-
yond endurance almost. AS the
population of the country is
continually tending toward the
great business centers, and so gradual
ly becom NC less aud less the burden of
the repair of public highways in the
manner that they should be is becom-
ing so heavy that there is disposition
to get along about as easy as can be for
the time beng; and it is a fact, much
as it is to be regretted. that in many
sections, especially in those sections
that are hilly and rough, that the roads
are not up to the proper standard of
excellence. The cause for this state
of things are numerous. First. the To-
eaton of many roads was faulty, going
over hills and across valleys when there
was little occasion for it; as conse-
quence, with steep grades. and only the
loose material of which roads are usu-
ally formed. they continue to wash and
leave exposed tho loose stones and
boulders that were more deeply imbed-
ded in the soil This is an inevitable
result upon New England hills.
In the next place. as the burden OF
the construction of country roads rests
upon its population, which is small. it
is the common practice to cause it to be
done in the most economical manner.
without regard to durability. This
must be so from necessity, because the
entire property of the country wouldlbe
insufficient to build q durable road.
Again. the business centers are now
connected by other means of transport
than by ordinary modes of tearning. so
those who dwell in cit es and large vii.
lagos are less interested in the charac-
ter of roads than when they were
obliged to go across the country from
place to place by means Of the old
fashioned turnpike stage-coach. In
those days the payment of tolls aided
in the matter of repairs. and the less
important roads only We're burden
upon the towns for repairs. The ques-
ton of the proper maintenance of pub.
lie HIGHWAYS 10 one that will soon de
mand careful considerat on. because Of
the tendency of population to central
ize in the large towns. and SO leav nc
the small towns growing continuaa'
weaker and weaker. both as regard!
population and wealth; but complete al
the network of railroads may seem Il
be. there must ALWAYS be ways provided
for reaching the stations by means o
the country roads. Common roads ar,
y public benefit, and there would seen
to exist no very serious reason why tfi
whole public should not be obliged Il
aid in their construction and repair
the same as in all other matters of pub
lie interest. The entire public 10 taxet
for the erection and maintenance OF al
classes Of public buildings. and VIII,
not roads the same? These thought
are suggested in view OF the genera
cond. ton of roads Is they exist Tn
ayr cultural sections must be encour
aged or else . decline IN prosperity vii
be inevitable.-Prof Yccnaans. - Bog
TIN Globe.