Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-05-26
Country Roads.

To tie Editor Of the alexandria Gazette:
The article in the GAZETTE of May
18th by Maj H. ". Newly advocating
an improvement in the methods Of
working our roads will find respon-
sive chord in the heart of every good
citizen who takes an interest in the
welfare of his country.
The reform is of such character and
involves such stupendous results that it
demands the encouragement and sup
port of every citizen in every commu-
nifty
The condition of the common roads
of our country is the proverbial weak
ness of our boasted American civiliza-
ton.
1t is fact that cannot he disputed
that the roads Of this country do not
compare favorably with the roads of
any other civilized country in the
world.
In the report of the Department Of
Agriculture for the year of 1888 the
commissioner says:
The common roads of the country
are the veins and arteries through
which flow the agricultural productions
and the commercial supplies, which are
the life blood of jhe nation 10 those
great ducts of travel and transporta-
ton-thc railroads of the country.
To the marvellous growth and devcl-
opment of the railroads may be ascrib-
ed the chief cause OF the present condi-
ton of our public highways. The skill
aud energy of our people have been
expended on the railroads TO the neg
lect of our common roads. We have
lost sight Of the fact that the public
highways form very important part
OF the means for transportation and
travel. Defective legislation and the
rapid settlement of new country, caus-
ing corresponding increase OF roads,
arc also causes which have contributed
considerably toward giving us our pres
ent inferior roads.
There is probably no question before
the American people to-day which so
directly affects their welfare; certainly
no question is of more Importance 10
,e farmer. The infcriority of our
c .nlnon roads affects the whole peO-
pc hv retarding the development of
our county, by increasing the cost OF
transportation and travel, and by caus-
lug an amount of discomfort and incon-
venieuce that is appalling 10 contem-
p ate. 1t affects the farmer in the same
WAY and to more important extent
b. deprei .tiug the value of farm lands,
by advancing the cost Of farming in
the additional wear and tear ofwagons,
and by forcing him to keep greater
supply of motive power in the shape
OF horses, oxen and mules than it
would be necessary for him TO do were
the roads in better condition.
The finest roads in the world may
be found in France where it is com
mon practice in the rural districts 10
haul loads of three tons weight at all
seasons of the year vi h tne horse.
For certain seasons of the year our
rural Inhabitants are cut eff from the
benefits and pleasures Of social inter
course with their neighbors, aud are
compelled 10 virtually lead the lives
of hermits simply because the roads
are in an almost impossible condition.
The necessity for better roads was
tuever more clearly understood than at
The present time; this Is shown by the
widespread interest manifested every
where, and by the intelligent manner
in which it is being placed before tbe,
public. The reform is growing and
spreading and the fruits of the agita-
ton of the question of recent years is
being shown in the fact that towns and
villages are equiping themselves with
rock crushers and improved road ma
chiuery and learning the best methods
of using them. This is q long step in
the right direction, and when all of our
people can be convinced that good
| roads are a benefit to any community
morally, socially and financially, then
will the success of this great reform be
assured. G.. A. FowLE.
Great Triumph.