Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1885-05-19
A Road system.

TIE GAZETTE has long contended
that the man who would give the
state good public road system would
be public benefaotor, and some time
ago suggested the employment of con-
victs by the various counties. THE
GAZETTE believes 1t possible to give
every thickly settled county il the
state good macadamiz.d roadways In
this way, and the plan would serve the
purpose of settling two vexatious ques-
tons, viz; the disposition Of convicts
and the establishment of an efficient
system Of public roads. We copy
entire an article from the Dallas Times
on the subject, which shows that Dal-
las Is moving In the matter. The
Times is correct. In a few years Dial.
las county will havemagnlflcent road
ways, which will enhance the value OF
every acre Of land in the county and
add largely to the retail traffic OF the
city:
IL is generally conceded that Dallas
has been brought to its present PRO
portions through the work of Dallas.
In their work the people have never
been made slOthful by the Thought
that the town had natural adyau-
tages," or could hope to secure outside
aid. What has been done was done hs
II with q maui and wedge, and oarti-
fetal aid. The county voted no taxes
ON itself in the work of making the
city, IL received the benefit, grew and
became Immensely rich. all by reason
OF the burden carried by the town folk
This fact should not be construed into
nm indifference of the country peonle
as tothe future OF the town. They are
interested and they are as proud ofthe
city'e greatness as are the people OF
the city. While the last named are
preparing to give us new railroad,
are building manufactures, are ex.
tending aid to every enterprise, the
country people, through their commits
sionera, are not idle. The proposition
submitted to that court by Judge
Bower looking 10 the employment OF
state oonvicta on the roads of the conn
ty,and which was heartily agreed to by
the Whole court, is the announcement
that Dallas county intends to not only
hold her position as the leading coun.
ty In the state, but TO double her
wealth within four years. Dallas was
the first to adopt the poor-farm sys.
tenn. There was much opposition to
1t, but its success has hushed all on.
| position, The poor Of the county are
fed and clothed from the fields of that
farm, and the county convlots are
made to earn their bread and vet be of
service to the community. In fact, II
Is Il self-sustaining institution, which
also feeds and clothes that number
who are now engaged In making coed
roads. The employ ment Of twenty
i've conVicts from the penitentiary
means at least fifty regular work
hands ON the roads throughout the
year. The employment Of this mum.
Der OF hands solves the road question.
1t Will in four years give us turnpikes
TO every part OF our county line, and
this means an increase OF one hundred
Per cent. In value Of every farm with.
IN II. The road tax will almost be a
thing OF the past and the road over.
seer and his brush-in-the- gutter-on.the
stde-ot-the road, viii he known M
more. The policy OF the commissions
ers' court as outlined by the resolu-
tioI yesterday will be greeted with
applause by the whole county.