The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-20
The Question Of Good Roads.

We are glad to observe that Interest in
the subject of good roads continues to
grow. 1t is manifesting itself in various
ways-ln congresses, conventions and
county meetings. in the newspapers, and
in grand jury rooms. This is an evidence
that public sentiment will soon be strong
and energetic enough TO take up the CUES
ton and deal with it as vigorously as the
necessity for new railroad lines has been
dealt with.
The reason for this growing interest In
our road system is not far to seek. For
more than half C century public spirit and
enthusiasm have been engaged in carrying
on the great work of railway building.
and the results have been little short Of
marvellous. Ia pushing this work for
ward, no sacrifice apparently ha 5 been too
great for states, communities and indi-
viduals 10 make, and the result in some
sections has been an overWh' lining de-
velopment that has resulted in ID degree of
disappointment.
The energy and sacrifices of the pub
lie were aimed 10 the right direction,
albeit posterity viii enjoy the perfect
result.
It Is manifest nevertheless, that the
err of railway building, especially in the
older states OF the republic, has practi-
cally reached its limits, and the public is
slowly but surely awakening to the fact
that in order to reap TO the fullest extent
the beneficial results of its energy it
will have 70 supplement it's railway sys-
TENS with D system Of public roads passa-
BILE at all seasons Of the year. Once the
knowledge OF this fact becomes clear.
neither arguments nor the pressure Of
discussion will be necessary to incite the
people to supply themselves with sys-
TEN Of public highways calculated to in
crease the value 7bf their railways and
the value OF thdsr lands, and to promote
their own comfort and convenience.
The Constitution, in discussing the ques-
ton of good roads, has suggested that the
cities are more vitality interested in the
outcome than the thinly settled rural re-
gions, and that therefore they ought to
betray Il larger interest. But the question
goes still farther. AS pOStertV is 10 enjoy
the ripest and most perfect results OF the
not posterlty lie called on to contribute
to the cost Of them? We have the advaIl-
tage of pOsterity in this matter. 1t can
make no protests; it cannot even engage
in the disc ussion it Is powerSeSs. Never
tbeIess. Wi it'll the advantages it Will have
with the improvements it will inherit
it will be in Il much better condition to
meet drafts on its resources than the peo-
pie of today who are building for the
future.
Tho organic law of Georgia gives too
much protection to pOsterity in the mat
ter Of tn xaiion, but it is to be remembered
that the trainers of that law Were filled
with tire bitterness that was the natura!
result Of the reconstruction period, and
| they were essaying to protect The people
against the possible incursi0nS of specu-
lators and projectors armed with alien
powers and bent on personal ends. The
spirit Of the limitations laid Oh comnuni-
ties in that law is not il tune with the
purposes and desires of u homogeneous
! people, building UP their state. not fol
themselves alone, but for their children
and their children'S children.
We mention these limitations neither
by way of criticism nor complaint, for
nothing is more certain than that the