Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-15
ROAD LAWS NEEDED.
Necessity Of Legislation to Help
Farmers Plainly Set Forth.
THEIR CLAIMS TOO LITTLE NEEDED
A Plan for Scientifically Improving the
Highways Explained.
GOOD RESULTS OF PRACTICAL TESTS
WRITTEN FOR THE D1spAroH.l

munities occupies the attention of our legis-
lators much more than legislation for the
Commonwealth. 1t must be confessed that
those to whom the interests of the country
are committed are much more prone to
hearken to the demands of their city constit-
uents than to those OF the unorganlzed farm
ers.
This is their complaint and the recent
movements all over the country, which have
resulted in the formulation of the league
known as the Farmers Alliance are an evil
denee of their realization of this fact.
The fact should never be lost sight of that
agriculture is the only true basis of a
country's prosperity and wealth. From
mother earth is drawn all our riches, and
the industrious farmer, coaxing from be-
| grudglng nature a frequently meager re-
turn, produces those articles which form
the foundation of nearly all other creative
enterprises.
THE PROVIDERS OF FOOD.
| In America agriculture must always pre-
| dominate. Not only must the ever increas-
ing population of our cities be fed, but like
wise must be supplied the foreign market,
which will continue to increase as fast as
| population in the older countries outruns
| the means of sustenance.
The farmer complains, and Justly 80, that
| his affairs do not receive the attention
which they merit. His interests should
be the Nations interests, for. by
the principle Of social solidarity. the
concern of one becomes the concern
OF all. When he suffers, all humanity
must bear the pain. Likewise, the farmer
can consume other products only in propor-
tion to his own prosperity. Thus, the cry of
the agricultural class for reform Is not the
cry Of class or distinct faction, but rather
q concern Of the whole people, for any harm
TO them reacts with equal force upon the en-
tire country.
Since, then, agriculture IL tho tap root
from which oil other industries must derive
their means Of maintenance, either ~
s6ufes OF raw materials or rs sustsnahes 10 10
eisaFly D. the direct advantage of all that
this industry should be iesLsfsd Ahd pro-
teeted IN every way possible.
Sage Benjamin Franklin, whose name
shines rssplsnaeHt among the eolsFis Of
Pennsylyania's great men, as well as tho
post democratic Of all Democrats, Thomas
Jefferson, looked with the greatest Of satis-
faction upon the rural life which they eoh-
sidsred the only life possible for the Amsri-
can people.
AN HONORABLE OCCUPATION.
DfchuiuK Euc uuGIChulilt nDiIlt1 butV
looked upon o nation absorbed In the pro-
duction of raw materials as the one most
likely TO remain tree from vice and the
intrigue of foreign nations. This idea Of
the exclusive bene6cence of nature, they
obtained from the French philosophers Of
that day, who asserted that husbandry was
the only honorable toll and the only true
source OF riches.
While we cannot, by the light OF our ex-
narianoa tho vUhnIa rnth nf thai
philosophy, it still contained grain of
truth. Early Americans believed almost
universally that the United States would
never be anything more than a market for
the surplus product Of Europe, hoping in
turn she might become the garden of the
world. That America has belied the expec-
tations of her founders in one respect has
been due to causes which will eventually
make her the emporium of the world, and
which have already placed her on a compet-
tive plane with the greatest mercantile
countries Of Europe.
The United States must ever remain
great agricultural nation, and il behooves
us to foster this industry from motives Of
selEinterest. Much legislation is desired in
its behalf, but the most crying need of the
present day is the one nearest home, to-wit:
The public roads.
Americans are always severely criticised
by foreigners, on account Of the arrogant as
sumption that our systems of government,our
institutions, laws and customs have attained
the summit OF perfection. Doubtless Amer
lea has left many OF her contemporaries way
in the rear in many matters but in problems
OK administration, OF railroads, city govern
ment, civil service, highways and other in
ternal improvements, we may greatly profit
by the fruits of their experience.
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS.
Especially on the construction and adj
miuistraIion OF highways we can learn much
by contemplating the examples OF France
and Germany, which are clearly in advance
of all other countries in this respect. France
has undoubtedly the most perfect system of
roads in the world. They are divided into
five general classes. The frst-class roads
are supported by the State, and are called
"Routes Natonales." They are broad
military roads, and connect the different
we have corresponding to these, is
the old Cumberland road, con-
structed during the early part
of this century by the Federal Government,
to connect the Atlantic coast with the Ohio
Valley by way of Washington. This is the
attempt OF the United States Government at
internal improvements of this kind, and for
various reasons it is not so desirable as
State legislation, although several attempts
have been made from time to time 10 induce
Congress to pass an act on this subject.
In addition to these routes nationales,
there are two classes of routes depart
mentales, corresponding somewhat to our
country roads and maintained by the de-
partments. Finally there are two remain
Ing classes of local roads, varying some
what In their Importance. All these roads
are maintained by both labor and money
taxes.
In Germany there are three general classes
OF highways: State roads, provincial roads
and local roads. The former are maintained
by the State, and connect large cities, while
the latter two are supported by thu pro-
yinelal and local authorities, aud, Of course,
are Of varying degrees OF importance.
SCIENCE IN RoAD-MAKINd.
In both countries road-maklng 10
science, and highways are laid out and con-
struoted In q scientific manner, tho State OK
ercislng supervisory authority over all the
major details.
In England and Scotland roads are far
superior TO our own, but not 70 gooda those
on tho Continent. The cause OF this 10
probably 10 be found In the system OF toll
roads, from which these countries are Just
emerging, as are many Of our States. In all
European countries the economic and social
benefits Of good highways are fully realized,
and by means Of centralized control and
oversight, which IN absolutely necessary,
they are maintained In most perfect con-
dltlon.
Before reform Is possible. public opinion
must be aroused 10 the knowledge OF the
waste being annually incurred, and until
this Ia roalized pennavlvanfa will nevar