Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1889-11-23

| present, we can well afford to turn our
attention to the matter of highways, in
which everybody should be interested,
for all have to use them, rich and poor
alike, those that ride and those that walk.
| No country has a greater road mileage.
| in proportion to the population, than the
United States, but while with character
istic American push and hurry, the most
extensive means of communication and
intercourse have been provided, we have
suffered the consequence of a lack of any
general system Of public policy, covering
I the location, construction and mainte-
nance of ways.
In many case, where one 5 way leads
him through the old farming region of
New England and the Middle States, he
may take occasion to do anything but
bless the memory of the frugal early set
tiers who, when the necessities of the
case seemed to demand that road be es-
tablished for the convenience of public
travel. each contributed across his farm.
perhaps over the worst hill, and through
the sandiest, or the rockiest, or the wet
test land, with view rather to the econ
omy of his best pastures. than the saving.
in the years to come, of the time and
strength of the traveller obliged to use it.
American roads are far below the av-
erage they certainly are among the
worst in the civilized world, and always
have been, largely as a result of per-
hitting local circumstances to determine
the location, with little or no regard for
any general system, and haste, and
waste, and ignorance in building.
Old post-roads and turnpikes. in times
no further back than the war, afforded
the only comfortable travel, to be had in
many parts of the country nor can gen.
eral badness of the roads, by any means.
be attributed to lack of the proper ma
terials for their construction. Indeed, it
often happens that we find them
the worst, where the natural resources
are the most abundant. and the better
roads are frequently found where the
natural conditions were so bad that the
ordinary crude and wasteful expendi-
lures were out of the question.
Fifty years ago, there was some excuse
for bad roads, for our country was poor.
Now it is rich, there is no excuse.
A good road is always to be desired,
and is source of comfort and convent
ence to every traveller.
Good roads attract population, as well
as good schools and churches. Good
roads improve the value of property, so
that it is said a farm lying five miles
from market connected by bad road, is
of less value than an equally good farm
lying ten miles away from market, con-
nected by good road.
A larger load can be drawn by one
horse over good road, than by two over
bad one.
Good roads encourage the greater
exchange of products and commodities
between one section and another.
Good roads are of great value to rail-
roads as feeder.
Various movements. already unde-
way, in the direction of good improve
ments. must have and already are having
their effect, in bringing about material
raising of the average quality. The gov
ernors of several States have made spec
ial and important references to it in their
annual messages, and in .everal States,
bills have been presented having in view
the betterment of State highways, by
regularly organized systems of work. to
be carried out under the supervision of
departments provided by the State.
In Pennsylvania general tax levy of
seven and one-half mills has been order
ed By legislature, for road improvements.
The forces working to bring about such
results as this are powerful, and increas-
ing every day.
The high point to be aimed at, is the
recognition of the importance of the
whole situation by the national govern
ment, and the establishment by Congress
of a national system.
The Importance and the value to any
country, any section. and every citizen
from the highest to the lowest, whether
tax. payers or tramps, of well construct
ed and properly maintained roads, is not
easily estimated, but clearly it is greater
than that of many affairs which are con-
tinually receiving tho time and attention
of the people in their homes, counting
rooms, public meetings and legislative
halls.
1t is matter to be considered side by
side with our splendid and always i'm.
proving system of public education, the
assessment of our tariff duties, or the ap-
preparations regularly made for river
and harbor improvements.
But the question of the most particular
interest, to-day. to you and to me, as
manufacturers and merchants, in the
whole question of good and bad roads is,
ichat is the effect ON our business?
Unjust be clear to any man of the most
OruludIJ DuSlH6SS lIiSLluCJ5 JDdL SOOu
roads mean thrift, liberality and wealth.
They mean good farms and good value to
real estate. They mean that the farmers
enjoying their use will gain time going
over them. will save wear and tear, not
only on his wagons, but on his teams,
will be richer man on account of them
and have the more money to buy your
carriages, running into higher value,
(vvhfla hfc lonnI,torp hav
their bicycles and tricycles at less ex-
pense,) and his example must be followed
by his neighbors.
Good roads mean for you and for me
better business. Good roads encourage
riding and driving, and the sale of our
vehicles, while bad roads mean less bust
ness for you and for me, for where the
roads are bad the traffic must of necessi-
ty be much less.
AS a nation we are a remarkably pa
tient and an easy-going people, consider
ing the enterprise and business activity
for which we are noted the world over,
and rather too apt to fall into the way of
doing things as matter of course. AS a
result of this, very strenuous and contin-
uous efforts are frequently necessary, to
bring about the farthest reaching and
most desirable reforms, From business
point of view, we cannot afford to neg
lect any opportunity to help along the
present movement.
I hope to live to see the time when all
over our land. our cities, towns, and
villages shall be connected by as good
roads as can be found in the civilized
world, and If we shall have been instru-
mental in bringing about this result, then
indeed shall Our children have cause to
bless us.
The use of Ayers Sarsaparilla purifies
the blood, stimulates the secretions, and