Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-07-01
AS TO ROAD MAKING
Captain Nader Advances Some Very
Practical Information on
the Subject.
Madison Democrat.

mir for this article than quo alton from
letter by Mr.. A. A. Pope, OF Bcston, On
the subject: "The movement throughout
the country for better roads Is one or the
most significant and important events o.
the nineteenth century. oood
rosds cheaper the cost of transportation
bv saving time, reducing the wear OF
draupht animals and Of vehicles, and thus
Iessen tie cost Of material to the producer
and consumer" Mr.. Pope has certainly
COZ d4nsed the whole question into one
sentence and there is very little more to
be said. excepting 10 enlarge upon the
serial factors contained in this sentence.
Mr., Pope has made an effort, and is con-
timing the same to establish a road de-
mar, ment at the worlds Columbian expo
siti.p, instead of only class as it is now
contemplated, and asks every public splr-
iteo citizen to aid in giving impetus to
the movement. In reply to letter OF Mr..
Pope's to the director general of the ex-
position, Mr.. S. Il. Peabody, chief OF the
DEPARTMENT of liberal arts, to whom the
letter vas referred, says: There can be
no doubt that this subject is one OF para
mount importance to the people of this
country. No improvement would so
greatly aid the American farmer as that
which would give him as good roads as
NAV he found in the poorest districts, say
of Ireland and Italy | have written SO
much as evidence that have some appre-
citation of the subject.
It is certainly encouraging to review
such remarks from such a source. It's
sti nuIus to every public spirited citizen to
aid in the effort in bringing about the
desired results. Mr.. Pope, In a subse-
gu, nj letter remads: GA comprehensive
road xhibit at the Exposition would be
the most powerful factor to bring about
national and state legislation for the con-
strrction and maintenance of good roads. y"
Now, if Mr.. Pope did not cover the whole
subject in the remarks which adopted as
an Introductory, he certainly has done so
in the remark last quoted, for | am quite
certain tlat it is the absence of proper
and competent Legislation, more ttan any
other thing, that retards the building and
improving of our roads and highways and
giving Us the proper means of transpor-
tation so necessary in our present state of
progress and advanced civilization.
Within the past few years many excel
lent articles have appeared on this sub
iect in our papers and periodicals, some
not quite practicable in all points, but NIL
tending to promote the solution of the
great problem of the day.
Good roads are sometimes said to be a
sign Of civilization. That might be said
of me of the older countries where it all
has come about in the natural order as
it will here in this country where We have
progressed more rapidly than we could
supply our increasing wants. Fifty years
ago the roads of Wisconsin and some of
our neighboring states were not bad
roads. The few isolated wagon tracks OF
the early settlers made but feeble I'M
preston or the soil; but as the population
increased the multiplied impression soon
told their story Commerce increased
with the community, and that which was
sufficient for the individual was not for
the numbers, and we have arrived at a
time when our roads must be improved or
further progress stopped.
We might look to some of our older
states and expect that civilization had i'm
proved their roads, but from what | can
learn they are no better off than we are.
| know from recent experience that
the roads of Virginia, Tennessee and ad,
Joining states are the worst possible, sc
that travel is at times positively stopped
The traveller on horse back making three
miles an hour is doing we'll
have said enough in this direction and
will pow consider the loca ion of roads
1t appears to re, that sometimes the mcs'
impractical routes, Impossible hills and
least desirable locations are chosen fol-
public roads, and whether it be an inor-
dinate desire to follow strictly on section
and town lines, or to surrender only the
most useless land certain it is, if the mos
undesirable location was sought for the
risult was perfect success. A roaC
should not be located on strictly leve
land, IN which case the whole road, or 81
much as is level, ma,
any time during a spell of wet weather
become a quagmire. Excessive grade:
should be avoided. for aside from tie in
creased strain upon the animals and wea
upon the vehicles, the road bed will b
subject to waShouts during times of heav.
rains and would require extern i've repairs
Sometimes with little difficulty and witt
remunerative results, we may deviate from
rigid lines and locate where we strik
suitable material for construction, thin!
which is always considered by wise rail
road locating engineer who is working Il
the interest of his company. Anothe
thing to be considered in locat
ing besides the useful is com
bination of this desiderum wit
the beautiful. We all like, or should
to look at a pretty scene while we are al
tending to our business pursuits, or, if W