St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-04-11
TILE GOOD ROADS GOSPEL.

The gospel of good roads is making
rapid headway in theory, at least. One
magazine is entirely devoted to the
cause. The bicycle literature Is sat
urated with it, the great dailies have
frequent discussions Of the subject; and
this month both the Century and the
Forum devote leading articles TO the
topic. One staunch political organ even
asserts that good roads are the country's
greatest need. Good roads have more
10 do with a nations prosperity than
wonderful OratOry or spectacular dis
plays Of patriotism. The United
States needs good roads more than
IL needs war ships" Hon. AN
DREW WHITE, speaking generally,
avs the condition OF the roads ''is
disgrace to our civilization" Most
people who have occasion to travel in
the country Of late in almost any sec
ton Will agree that life will be vastly
more cheerful when the highways are
firm and passable in all seasons. In a
speech on the subject of roads. in his
time. DANIEL. WEBSTER rounded out
one OF his strong periods with the state
ment that he was in favor Of all roads
eKcept-and he paused at loss for an
exception, when, in pursuance of a whis-
per, he added with emphasis, "the road
10 ruin" In the miry springtime
his exception would be broad one
But no one needs to be persuaded that
good roads are desirable None needs
them so much as the farmer, and yet in
the most mutiarIous platform COM
piled in his interest it is not remem-
bered that the good roads gospel has
any place. Politicians are not going to
take the lead in deyising laws and
methods for securing good roads. When
the farmer realizes that his material
interests are involved. and is per-
studded that 1t is possible to have the
roads without burdensome taxation, he
will move in the matter. The article in
the Century is clear and explicit, not
only as to the need, but the practicable
ity. Most OF the countries Of Europe
have realized the value of good roads,
and are a long ways in advance of the
United States in providing them. The
people there have learned by expert
ence that it is true economy TO construct
the roads scientifically and keep them
In good condition under intelligent d.
Fection. France is in the lead in this
matter of any nation III the world.
This magazine writer SAYS that govern
ment has spent $500, 200, 900 in the con-
structiOn Of common roads. and now
spends SlS,000.000 per year in keep
Ing them in repair. A French writer
says these roads have been OF greater
value 10 the country, and especially to
the farmers, than all the railroads
They are regulated with much of the
skill and experiences required in rail
road management. In Italy, Austria,
Switzerland and parts of Germany the
system is much the same. There are a
few localities in this country where
attention has been given the subject,
and it has been found quite practicable
60 nave good roads. Union and Essex
counties, New Jersey, are cited as
Instances. In Parke county, Indiana,
one man built a mile of graveled road
at his own expense, and it caught the
popular mind so that in two years
nearly the whole county has been
reclaimed in this way.
The greater part Of the magazine
article Is devoted to describing the
methods of building OF improving the
roads. The essential points are, of
course, to secure solidity and drainage,
which are dependent in Il measure upon
the character of the soil. One of the
chief factors for the preservation of
roads is the wide tire to all wheels.
This is regulated by law in the old
countries, some kinds of vehicles having
tires six inches in width. 1t is possible
TO have good roads even in the prairie
regions that have the deepest and rich
est soil. That time ought to be not very
remote.