Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-11-25
rake tha Road ont Of PolItlcs.

lake luo 3NOdua Oub VI EOAisiSS'
The improvement Of the public road'
bids fair to become great national ques'
ton and it is possible that some action
will be taken at the next session of Con-
gress to show the interest Of the govern
ment. The national league organized
recently at Chicago has promised not to
let the grass grow in its path, and 1t
claims that 1t will have representatives
in every county IN every state OF the
Union. If it succeeds in awakening 10 the
minds Of the farmers a sense of the i'm
portance to them of good roads, ii will
contribute immeasurably to the prosperity
and progress Of the country, for the farm
ers must be thoroughly aroused before
good roads on an extended scale will he
possible.
Primarily, tho farmers are more inter
ested than others, but all bsYe an interest
in the improvement of the public roads
With a proper system of bodybuilding
and repairing in operation, the ANIMALS
used for draught by farmer could be
reduced to onc-third Of what arc now re-
ouired, while the wear aud tear Of his
rolling stock would be trihing. -
There would be an actual saving
in money annually of much more than
all the taxes for every purpose
which he pays, and he would be able to
pnt his produce in market promptly, so
as to compete with more favored COM
munities. He would be able to keep
horses and sell them at fair prices, some
thing that is exceedingly difficult when
they are knocked out and abused on the
wrctched thOroughfares which are at
present called public roads.
The female portion of the household on
a vast majority of farms in Maryland can
no longer afford to employ drivers for
their vehicles. but are compelled to drive
themselves. This would be safe and
pleasant relaxation with good roads, but
farmer can never see bis family start
out OH the average public roads without
feeling Of anxiety. II the horse is
Young or skittish there is likely to be q
runaway and smashup before they re-
tnrn: or, If he be the safest old plug in
the world there Is chance Of a break
down and great iDconyeience before the
end of the journey is reached. Good roads
annihilate distance, and they invite capt.
tai and labor. They add a large per-
csntage to the yalne Of every acre OF
land, and they act as au inducement to
labor to settle in and remain In neigh
borhood.
The farmers who complain of the de-
crease in the value of their lands and the
scarcity OF labor, attribute their mis-
fortunes to various causes but they sell
dom include bad roads, which constitutes
one of the most serious Of all causes
Nor wi ] the mere realization of the evil,
or the discussion of it at the country
store, or by the freslde during winter
evenings, build or repair the roads. Moth
ing is accomplished IN these stirring times
without action, accompanied by or
ganlzation and system. The roads must
he taken out Of politics entirely, and
built or repaird on scientific business
principles. The farmers must employ
their road builders Just as they do thei
backsmi,hs and wheelwrights-for thei
knowledge and skill in making roads
and not because they are adopts In the N
tricacies OF county politics. altimor
american.