Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-29
ROADS DEPARTMENT.
An Appeal for the Return of
the Petitions which Are Ont.
~ Idif0r OF ne Dispnfch :

TO the Editor Of The Dispnfch:
The petition for q national road de-
partment at Washington has been signed
by thousands of prominent citizens
throughout the United States. Among
the more distinguished names may be
mentioned Governor Mckinley. OF Ohio;
Governor Russell, OF Massachusetts /;
Governor Fifer, OF Illinois Governor
Toole. OF Montana Governor Hum
phrev. OF Kansas Governor COlcord, OF
Nevada Governor Smith. OF New hamp-
shire Governor Mckinney, of Virginia,
and Governor Millette, OF South Dakota.
n has been endorsed by chambers OF
commerce and boards of trade. by trade
unions and labor organizations, by
banks and large corporations, and by all
sorts and conditions OF men.
As over 100000 petitions were sent
ont / am of the opinion that a very
large number Of them still remain IN the
hands OF persons who have neglected or
forgotten 10 return them. Will you not
in the columns OF your newspaper re-
mind vour readers that all the signed
netitions should be mailed TO me at
cnce ?
II has been asserted by some that the
creation of the road department would
place the roads Of the country under the
control Of the General Government,
thus taking away all State supervision.
Governor Flower, Of New York, IN his
animal message, says: "While having
no svmpatny whatever with that phase
Of This movement, which seeks the
establishment Of q national bureau OF
roads and the consequent building OF
national roads through the country, !
AN thoroughly convinced that the pros
perItv Of our state, and especially the
interests Of it. agricultural sections. tie
mapd prompt and effective efforts to I'M
prove the condition Of Our highways.
Now. the petition does not ask Tor
ANYTHING more than "that there be
founded in the city Of Washington, IN
the District OF Columbia, road de-
rartmeut. similar 10 the Agricultural
Department. tor the purpose OF pro-
noting knowledge in the art OF con-
structing and maintaining roads; ana
we ask that in such department provision
be made Tor teaching students SO That
thew NAV become skilled road engineers.
"Iu connection with this road de-
rarfmept we request that there be estab-
G,bed "A permanent exhibit IN which
snail he shown sections Of roads, Illus
trating tie various methods OF construc-
hon and also tde best road materials aud
machinery.
owe further petition that Congress
appropriata funds sufficient to erect
binding at the Worlds Columbian *
position for tho purpose of Il compre-
hcn,iyc road exhibit.
The object Of the Agricultural Depart
ment is t. promote knowledge III rela-
ton - agriculture, and the object oi the
road department would he simply TO
promote knowledge in relation to roads,
and J. hope that you will endoayor III the
editorial columns Of your paper 10 call
tine attention Of your readers to the fact
that It's object Is simply educational. ami
i'm no way does it ask for a single dollar
10 Lc spent toy the National Government
for the purpose Of constructing national
roads.
There is one thing more ! would urge
upon Won, AID that Is that you call upon
your readers 20 write 10 the members +
Congres- from their districts requesting
them to Gil the passage Of tine bill
which will accompany tins petition. II
is only 10y the corporation OF individual
efforts that great results can bc obtained.
and hope that you will impress upon
the public that this great movement for
good roads is of incalcplable importance
to every city, town. aud state through
out the country. Very truly yours,
ALBERT !. p0pE,
Boston, Mas. (PostO Office Box b.