The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-04-12

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SIR;-Among the many important
subjects that arc constantly being
brought to the attention and considera-
ton OF every citizen, every taxpayer,
and especially every farmer, fow can DO
OF more importanco-ospocially to the
latter class--than" tho. construction and
maintenance OF good public roads. This
Is 4 subject which merits the earnest
attention Of every intelligent citizen.
No other departmental public improve
ment so directly concerns the farmer
and his interests. And yet, from the
actual condition OF our public high
ways, it must be assumed that the
agricultural population have not sutli-
GENTLY agitatcd this subject, else their
wishes have been ignored. Because it
must be conceded that our public roads
arc neither what they should nor even
what they could be.
For the wrctched condition OF our
roads here must, oil course, be some
cause !: somebody must DO responsible.
1t is also an undeniablc fact that a great
portion OF the people, those who arc
really most benefited by good roads,
give them little or no thought. !lWliilc
it is true, incomplete and;much,neel
legislation is largely responsible, there
Is, yet, another more cogent cause which
undcrlics the good or bad condition Of
u extensive network Of public roads,
and that is the lack of skill d~isplayedin
the construction of public highways,.a AN
indisputabls fact to which the great
majority OF our public highways are
visible monuments. The construction
and repair OF public roads is too often
placed into unskillGd and incompetent
hands, the permission OF which is,anin.
furious detect OF our road laws. and q
gross violation Of the principle, that
scientific knowledge and system are cs-
sential to good results in any pursuits,
as applied to the building OF railroads,
bridges, public buildings: and ALL other
public improvements eSceptip& plblic
roads, all OF which aweref raisedtT their
present condition by the maglcstouch OF
skill.
Our advanced state Of civilization not
only requires the application; Of every
modern invention; and Improvement in
the construction,nf PUBLIC works. but
also that the supervision OF Tho Same
shall BIO placed in the hands OF skilled
mechanics or competent engineers as
the caso may require. The false i'm.
preston to the effect that anybody
can build q road,n though already the
author OF allhosts irreparnbleviTiury to
our highways',a Fo&lybhto1unIe the
less surely, retreating before that ire
slstible twin power, skill and system.
Farmers, agitate. this subject. Bring it
to the attention OF your legislators.
Witness the anomalous condition OF
affairs which has, recc!yedthl support
of your silehca amd EfdactioE. While
nearly every department OF industry
has not only, long ago, boon reduced to
Il science, but has made marvellous
strides toward perfection; our roads, so
far as their general condition is con
cerned, are little better than they were
twenty years ago., t!S7GadG
Another important consideration is
the expense incurred in kecping up
our public roads, which instead OF be-
ing on the decrease, as would be the
case il our roads were.cin good condi-
ton, Is nearly rs much as it was ten
years ago. Road-making, though OF in
definite age, has made comparatively
little progress. Our nation appropri-
atcs millions every year to- an army
and n navy to protect the nations in
terests and uphold the starry banner;
millions more arc eXpended.i in the con-
str uction OF ironclads and the erection
OF Notifications against foreign foes;
tens OF millions are devoted to the i'm
provcment OF rivers and harbors that
commerce may be promoted and ship.
ping interests eneourageIs: Railroads
have repeatedly feeeiSeditheim petus OF
special legislation from aour nations
highest legislative body; yet their
value and usefulness, in fact, their very
existence, is dependent upon our public
highways. Railroads and nayigable
rivers could no more dispense with pub
lie roads than the rivers with their
tributaries: 10 eIectually close IL
public roads would be to sap the life
blood Of our nation.
OF the four cardinal divisions OF labor,
agriculture, manufacturing, mining and
commerce, all OF which arc more or less
benefited by good roads, none are moro
entirely dependent upon them than tho
ocean.bound vocation OF agriculture,
the Indispensable supporter OF national
life. That without public roads agri-
culture would be q farce is undeniablo;
that its stage OF prosperity is largely
measured by the condition Of our high
ways is plainly evident.
In this day OF railroads and steam
boats the saving OF time is an item OF
no little Importance; for tho sooner the
farmer can place the products of his
labor in the market the larger sales and
the better prices he will realize. Moth
ing will SO much facilitate the rapid
transit OF his product to the nearest
market as a good condition OF roads; he
will thus be enabled to convey larger
quantities in less time than he formerly
did smaller quantities, and that, too,
with a considerable reduction in ex-
pensc.
Some OF tho chief industries of many
rural communities arc entirely depcn-
dent upon Il public roads for exist
once. This is tho case with the tan
bark industry, fully two-thirds OF which
is transported over, our country roads.
The steadily increasing use OF our pub.
lie roads brought about by tho develop
ment OF new aud the increase and.di:
vetsitication OF established industries
Will always be q potent reason for their
improvement. Even the U. S. star
route mail service-that grand arrange
ment by which our mails are gratui.
tously distributed within reach Of every
cltlzen-is capable, OF extensionand i'm
provemont By the agency OF good roads.
Good roads arc desirable at n time
and under any circumstances, but more
aoNapio1 lie, - &s... -.--H Il. o., = 70