The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1892-03-18

Since the death If John n q M
adam. in 1884. there has been practically
no advance in the scientific constFuc-
ton Of roads except in cities The grcas
national benefit Macadam conferred
upon his country was evinved by gov
ernment grants amounting 70 Eio.voo
and the offered honor Of knighthood-
which was declined One great reason
and undoubtedly the principal one. tor
this lack of interest and appreciation OF
the vast utility Of good roads i TO b
found in the fact that railroads. Snce
the DAYS OF Macadam. have 70 great
extent removed the pressing need OF
good common roads.
The Pullman and Wagner have super
sed,si the old time coach. and the freigns
train instead Of the wagon Is Q b
common carrier. That the nondevelop-
menf Of q system Of good roads IN tho
United States Is due TO the enormous
expansion Of our railroad system -
clearly illustrated in the history Of D
Cumberland or old National road. once
esteemed the most enduring monument
Of the public services Of Henry Clay
Passing from Cumberland. Nd. acroae
the Alleghanies and across Ohio and
mart Of Indiana, the road, before the de-
velopment Of railroads. became the CHIEF
highway Of travel and trade
Towns. villages and taverns rose along
its borders every few miles and -four
ished extraordinarily. but now. except
when they are at the intersection OF rail-
road lines. have fallen into decay. Ths
road itself has been neglected and the
greater part Of ii j. fast returning to ths
condition II a mere muddy country
road. the tUlgates having disappeared.
and with their departure also passed the
only reliable source Of income. The
states ana counties into whose jurisd,c-
tion the roal has fallen AVE amentably
failed to appreciate the great advantage
OF keeping it in repair. and even q
magnificent bridges which span ths
rivers and creeks are slowly yielding %
neglect.
The Cumberland road presents tha
most striking illustration in the United
States Of a great forward move IA the
direction OF . great system Of national
and state roads larnentably unsupported
BY public appreciation and foresight
With the failure Of revenue from thu
road itself. owing to the diversion q
travel to railroads, there was not sum
Gent provision on the part Of the peopk
to devise other means OF maintaining
the road and building others like ituntf
across the Alleghanies and the hills q
Ohio. the fields Of Indiana and the prst
ries Of the west. m~acadamized road
should stretch like ribbons Of silver. bind
ing together city and country BY rod
a and delightful to travel upoo-
Within the last year or two. however
there has begun . movement for bette
roads that is arousing public interes
everywhere. and It now looks - Il a en-
Of permanent advance in roadmak1ng I
about to Railroads. Il In
been found. are not sufficient for tha
needs, to say nothing Of the comfort an
happiness Of the people. For three q
four months Of the year the greater par
Of the rural population Of the Unite
States Is practically shut Of from neigh
boring towns and the nearest railrcsa
by mud roads whose passage at times
almost impossible.
Farmers themselves. with = patienc
not to be commended. have suffered tn
Inconvenience and discomfort. Will
year by year their farms. IN consequence
have decreased in value and farm liz
has become more and more unattractivs
The 50 called road working Of mo-
rural regions is unworthy the name an
Is almost a useless expense Of time m
labor. What is needed y the awaken
ing Of the PEOPLE 70 . realizing sense Q
the utility and financial benefit Of goo
roads and the application of scientif
principles Of roadmaking and repair
Poor country roads thus entail yearl
great expense 10 the farmers. who hay
to use them not only because Of the smz
load a team can draw. but also on a
count Of damage to vehicles. In nlinoi
according to Professor J. W. Jenk
Road Legislation for the America
State" il il found that q full load ca
b. carried on the state roads only thrs
months during the year, two-thirds Of
load three months and hall . load Il
months.
Good dirt roads in this state would n
duce the cost one-half and good perml
nent maradamizei roads three-fourfh
hence 1t has been estimated that the d
fectiye highways Of Illinois now cost II
state an extra SIS GAG. 80 for hauling a
depreciafe the valne Of its farms tI6y
0JU.OO0. II the figures b. even appro,
iinately correct the movement for bette
roads should meet with tne hearty IL
dorsement Of the people Of Illinois. an
legislation with a view 70 improving q
roads of the state should occupy . for
most place IN the next session Of the gel
eral assembly. chicago Herald
How Had Reads Hinder Rural Crcwsl
Lately q northern man, who though
Of buying a tract Of land for occupafic
and handsome improvement somewhel
in Maryland in the vicinity Of washin,
ton. undertook 10 explore the region
question. but Wa 20 much Disguised !
his experiences IN TRYING to find b
way thrDugh the labyrinth II wre.che
country roads. wholly u~nprovided wit
guiaebcards. that he abandoned the Va,
81 settling In a country % wanting
fln n.Is~uaw4arr nIu..nwsa 80 ~<-.r.~.s~n