The Van Buren press., 1893-12-16
FARM AND GARDEN.
a MATTER OF FINANCE.


Construction of Good Roads Valuable for
Both Labor and Capital
All civilized and semi-barbarous ma
tions recognize the fact that the Ia
borer must have employment. A peo-
ple's prosperity is based on man earn
ing something. Wars have been waged
to give idle men something to do. This
republic, by engaging in legitimate en-
terprises alone, has been able to fur
nish employment to its great mass Of
worlkiugmen. But has not this con-
tinent come face to face with the labor
problem which the old world has
sought in vain to solve for centuries?
Have not the larger enterprises, such
as railroads, mines and the leading in
dustries. nearly reached the limit OF
their capacity and profitableness?
While the nation may continue to pros
per and grow in wealth and population,
is it not reaching that point when
something besides the natural course
Of things is essential to furnish employ
ment to labor? As the country energies
from the crisis which has left mass of
meritorious workingmen on the shoals
in compulsory idleness and made their
lot the most uncomfortable of oil who
have suffered from the business depres-
the problem now to solve is how best
to furnish them employment.
While l do not claim to lay before
your association a solution of the ques-
tion in its entirety. l believe the plan
that have to suggest is Of that feasi-
BILE nature that it can be carried out to
accomplish grand results in that di-
rection. Conservative and reliable
statisticians estimate the cost OF bad
roads in this country at more than
s250,oO0.0 900 per year This vast sum
somebody must lose Probably it is di-.
vided quite equally among all the peo-
Pile in proportion to each individuals
expenditures. For this reason 1t is no
less a loss, and for this reason the
necessity is all the greater for stopping
the loss. Add to scheme for saving
that amount another for furnishing
employment to the idle million, and
here Is project worthy the advanced
civilization of the age.
1t is not question of increased taxa
ton, but one OF using to the best ad-
vantage the money annually contrib
uted by the people for road purposes.
1t is within bounds to put the sum
spent each year in the maintenance Of
country roads at 5000, 600. AS rule
the $50, ,O00, 900 goes each year to keep
company with the $3.50, 900. 900 devoured
by mud. Undertaken at On early day
in twenty-five years every mile OF road
commonly used by the public and made
thoroughfare by law, save perhaps in
the thinly-settled portion Of some Of
the far western states or In the more
mountainous regions, could be built
with stone or gravel, made durable and
permanent, always in condition every
day in the week, upon which a full
wagon load of produce or merchandise
could be hauled and without the pay
ment of a dollar additional tax. Skill
full financiering and intelligent invest
ment OF the taxes now paid will do this
and the COST principal and interest be
liquidated inside of Ave years, putting
the rate of interest at 81 per cent EN-
ployment will be furnished the surplus
labor of the land, the money of the
people kept in circulation, and unprece-
dented thrift and prosperity 20 hand in
hand with the prosecution of the work,
followed by perpetual benefits to every
business interest This plan, embody.
ing the borrowing of money on bonds
issued by counties or their subdivisions,
will meet with but slight opposition
when the voter is convinced that the
money will be judicially and economic
ally expended; that it does not mean
increase OF taxation and will bring ex
pected results. With the plan now in
vogue no person can look ahead to the
time when there shall be less taxes
levied for road purposes than now.
Continue to collect the amount annual