The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1894-02-15
BENEFIT OF NO ROADS.

nc races OF men That lnh9blt the
African continent and the adjacent
large islands present some very
strange types of humanity and offer
large field for mankind to study
man, and the thought will often arise,
is the rude civilization they now pos
sess an evidence OF advancement or is
it only feeble remnant of former
high condition that will finally be
totally extinct2 Mary of these semi
barbarous nations have characters
tics that are worthy OF more than
passing notice, and some Of their
customs that have stood the test of
time merit consideration by even our
advanced civilization. The great
Island OF Madagascar is $50 miles
from the African coast. One OF the
principal tribes that inhabit this
island are the Hovas. Their country
is diversified, containing large tracts
OF agricultural land, forests of valua-
BILE timber, grazing lands and min
eral deposits of different kinds. A
system of canals for irrigation are
constructed and maintained at no ex-
pense; the labor and benefits are
mutual. They till the soil and pro
duce large crops, rice being the sta
pie product. They also work metals
and manufacture all articles needed
Tor ordinary use. All the pottery
needed is produced by home indus
try; wool and other fibres are made
into various kinds of cloth; the skins
OF animals, both domestic and wild.
are treated so as to be of use for all
purposes required; the native jewel
ers are skilled in working precious
metals; and, MS. will be readily no
ticed, in all these latter accomplish
lnents differing from us who enjoy
much higher standard Of civilization
and are, for certain reasons not nee
essary to mention, allowed the adj
vanced privilege of having MI these
articles furnished from abroad. so we
are not Inconvenience by the bust
ness activity naturally resulting from
the multitude of operatives and 9th
ers required in their manufacture las
we remarked before, IN this respect
we are differently. But these far
seeing people have adopted one policy
that we wish specially to notice. 1t
is not realty unique, but still very
suggestive. They persistently refuse
to build or allow roads built in their
country. All the carrying trade Is
done on the shoulders of men, or
women, as even the use of animals is
So effective has this
system proved that for several hun.
bred years no advancement has been
made in their country and all their
latent wealth remains intact and Sc
cure by this very simple and mex
penslve method Now we, in Idaho.
have many valuable resources at
present protected in this manner
Now, to keep them from falling into
the hands of rapacious outsiders. all
we need do is to adopt the policy of
The Hovas. 1t may be urged that
Idaho has prior right to the idea as |
applied, but we insist that the adop-
ton of this policy will etfectually |
protect our immense deposits of gold
silver, copper, etc Such points as
Elk City, Warrens, Seven Devils. AL
ION and Others that are at present
comparatively secure would, if roads
were constructed, be absolutely at the
mercy OF outside barbarians who
wonld soon overun the country, rob
btng our mines and telling our forests
70 erect habitations, cities, mills and
factories. The people also would. in
: manner, be effected and urged to
'esrse Of activliy that would disturb