The Ottawa free trader., 1886-05-15
The FarAner and the Highways.
Hy HON. y. c. LEWIS.

following very able paper upon the subject,
." The Farmers and the Highways The
subject of public highways is one of growing
Importance, and as it is one that should
more and more interest the farmer, we re
produce Mr.. Lews's paper in full and ask
tor it careful reading and candid consider
sideration:
MIR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN or THE
CoNvENrIoS:--l am to speak on the Farmer
and the Highways" can speak freely on
this subject. was born on farm ana
spent very happy childhood there. | still
live on and till a farm for my living.
know pretty much all about being compelled,
for nearly six months of every year, to wade
though mud and slush or jostle over hubs
and ruts to mill and meeting and every
where else have occasion 10 90 Wherever
bound, under such circumstances, the way Is
ALWAYS long the discomfort excessive ana
time not of the essence of the contract. In
tie delicious days Of courtship in the coun'
try doubtless all of us remember sort OF
exquisite happiness in these long, slow rides,
hut i'm all other cases they have been antIcl-
pated with fearful iorebodings and thought
over with pleasing sense Of relief. The
farmer is clearly entitled to talk OF high
ways in preference to all others. His busi-
ness. his pleasure, his politics, and his re-
lipion have all to be reached, accomplished
and enjoyed by means Of good or bad roads
The farmers interest in the highways Is OF
the keenest kind, extending all along the
path of life from the birth of his babies, on
which occasion he hopes for the doctor ar
rival In time to the death Of his neighbor,
whose funeral he feels he must attend. The
highway is the barrier always lying betweeIs
him and his most precious purposes in life.
The education of his children, the reieeming
of his promises, the comforts OF his family,
all the onjoyments of civilization in fact
even to the acquiring of usual intelligence,
lie always at the further end OF road more
or less long, and to greater or less extent
dependent upon the weather. The amount
of time that must be spent upon the high
WAYS, by all progressive farmers, in travel
alone. il will be admitted at once, is very
great end as it must usually include team
as well as a conveyance, the expense IS very
considerable in year. II by ualiorm Sys-
TEN Of good roads in Illinois, all the year
round, one-half days time each week for
man and team could be avoided, it is claimed
that the savings would, Mt fair value and II
properly applied, in five years make paved
way of every main road in the state. The
extra load and raridity of movement possible
over Il good might easily make this saving
Why then, it is asked, do not the farmers
take M this, to them, so important matter,
and redeem the country as well as themselves
by making the elimination OF lhls great e'il
the object Of their euerglesNnlil they reach
n solution Of the troubles. 1t Is TOO common
among denizcns OF towns ana cltleS 10 near
the farmers hcrated anu blamed lor an 'he
bad ropls in their locality. lhis odlum Is
not deserved. All intelligent farmers, ana
they are the equals IN tins rePect ol any
class of citizens in the world, appreclue M
ly, the benefits of good travelling facilities IN
the country. and are wiling to be taxed ana
to tax themselves to accomplish lili result
In considering this question, and must be
brief and to the point or you "l.i not nave
the patience to follow me shHI. SPEAK oi
what think the law oush' 10 o'' r''Het
than as to what 1t Is. The latter Is the
province Of the courts, the former Is the
legitimate business of conventions.
No disrespect Is intended towards those
who have made the law. 1t Is The most an
fcult, and at the same tine the most 'mPor'
taut, problem of a law making body IN gov
ernment Of the people, to create "A comInu-
nifty Of power in conformity to community
of interest and in right direction. a Ia"
enabling n people to tax themselves Tor
public improvement which they nenher need
or want, would be always mere form
Power vested in the voters OF township to
tax themselves to build or improve or repair
n road which they themselves rarely or never
travel however important 1t may be to
others, is founded upon purely ideal gene
rosity. 1t will never materalize. The tax
in such a case would not be voted, and II
voted by bare majority, it would be an
taronized at every point and its legality
would probably be finally contested in the
courts Long litigation wears out the
strongest sincws of war and such contests
leave little strength for the main question.
Under the present law all general road taxes
are levied either by counties or towns, road
districts, for purposes Of taxation in coun-
ties under township organization, being CO.
extensive with town lines, and in counties
not under township organization, with county
lines. Thus it is seldom that in six mile
square township or in IA county of one or
moro tovnshins there il or can be "A com