The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-11
The Necessity for Good Highways


1t is gratifying to note the revival of in
terest in what has become the almost for
gotten art of road-making. A number of
colleges have established chairs for the
teaching of this long-neglected science,
which, in the rapid development of rail-
roads and waterways in this country, has
been almost forgotten. But as soon as
the people realize the importance of high
ways which shall be at all seasons and in
all kinds of weather In fit condition for
the passage of vehicles and perceive the
advantages that accrue, both TO city and
country, from such highways they will not
be slow in demanding that the state take
some action in regard TO this matter. All
our people need is to have brought TO their
notice the necessity and utility OF any
publicimprovement,an and they Immediately
take steps to secure it. When we stop to
think that freight can in many instances
be transferred a considerable number of
miles from one place to another by rail at
nearly the same cost that it requires to
haul il from its originating point to the
railroad depot by wagon, the necessity of
better roadways is strongly impressed
upon US.
The success OF agricultural pursuits de-
ponds largely upon facilities for getting
products to a market, and one of the most
important OF these is a good roadway, if
not to the market itself, at least to the
shipping station.
Accessibility is a factor that enters
largely into the value of property of all
kinds and into that of none more than of
agricultural land. The city, dependent on
the surrounding country for large pro-
portion of it's supplies, can well afford to
bear with it the tax necessary for the con-
struction and maintenance of good road
ways.
1t is common mistake OF
our people, we fear, TO look
for immediate and direct results from
every investment, and TO overlook the
general increase in valuation resulting
from the judicious expenditure of money
for public improvements. The save-at-
the-spieot -and-let-run-at- -bunghole pol
icy of economy which has unfortunately
entered so largely into our public expendi-
lures, is unworthy of the intelligent peo-
pie of the state and the progressive spirit
of the age. For instance, while the con-
struction, improvement and maintenance
of good system OF public highways may
necessitate the expenditure of large
amounts Of public money, we must not
forget that every dollar so invested
increases the value of every bit of
land touched by the road or in its i'm
mediate vicinity, resulting altogether in a
large return on the investment.
No state can use good roads to a better
advantage than Indiana; no state needs
them more. and no state, in view of the
| beneficent results that will accrue, can bet
ter afford to have them. Such roadways
can only be built under the supervision OF
a competent engineer, and If we would
have them, which We must and will, we
must give up this idea of letting the roads
| take care of themselves aud make them
| the care of the state, with sufficient ap-
preparation set apart by the Legislature for
this purpose.
The idea of improving roadways is be-
ing brought to the attention of the people
in various parts of the country, and in
every instance has met with approval. Let
not Indiana be behind in this important
! progressive movement