The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-11-21
GOOD ROADS.

public property. The buildings
parks and thoroughfares are a
once an index of its prosperity ant
the exponent of its progress, and o.
the progressive character of III
people.
"Ifyou wish to know" says Bush
nell, "whether society is stagnant
learning scholastic religion, a dead
formality,you may learn something
by going into universities and Ii.
braries; something also by the
work that Is doing on cathedrals
and churches, or in them; but quite
as much by looking at the roads,
for If there is any motion in soci.
ETY., the road, which is the symbol
Of motion, will indicate the fact"
History witnesses the truth OF
this statement. Ancient Egyptian
and Asiatic civilization are very
largely known and Judged through
their pyramids, temples and mon
uments; Greek civilization is par
ticularly marked by art; Roman
civilization is quite we'll known to
US through its internal improve
ments, and particularly, roads,
many Of which are used at the
present day.
To bring the matter home to
US, judged by such exponents, how
does Hooking county stands as re-
CARDS progress and what shall be
said of our people as to progressive
There is only one an
swer. Hooking county is behind
The times at least forty gears.
This would not be such serious
matter were 1t not for the fact that
this falling behind, this tagging in
The march of progress, has been and
Is detrimental to the mental, NOR.
Il, and physical wealth of the com.
munity. The soil has been robbed
'f its natural wealth and nothing
has been done to replace it. Many
ields once cultivated lie idle now,
'r washed and quilted, mar the
beauty of the landscape. Many a
,ouse that was recently happy
lome is now a mouldering ruin.
Farm life is but ill looked upon and
he farmers family leaves for the
own or city, to begin a new life.
Thus. instead Of the hills and val.
eys being instinct with a happy
cultivated life, vast tracts lie idle
Ind deserted.
We desire to emphasize this con-
iition In order that we may appre.
'iate it and seek for remedy for
t. We can not afford for the towns
md cities to absorb the country
homes and destroy the farm life.
We desire to stay this tendency of
me times, and we disire to do this by
IN appeal to the ethical, @sthetical,
practical sense of mankind. It is
! pertinent and true saying that
When you touch mans pocket
book you reach his heart, and it is
The purpose # this article to point
'ut loss Of material wealth con-
'erning which politics have no.
hing to do, and for which we as
individuals are responsible. We
refer to the loss of wealth to the
community by:reason of roads that
are always poor, often impossible.
There are many persons whose
Faces are familiar on our streets
Turing the summer, who are never
seen durin g the winter months be.
cause of imp ossible roads.
We think no argument is neces-
'ary togshow that there are no
'oads In this county.
The truth is patent. But 1t may
De that the economics of the ques-
ion are not 80 easily seen by all;
therefore we shall direct our at
'ention to that side Of the question.
1t is essential to a just considera.
ion Of the thing that some facts be
1t frst recognized.
lst. Public roads are public pro-
perty and are for the use Of all
alike, and should be as we'll adapt
I'd to the loaded wagon as to the
'addle-horse.
End. The great waste of money,
lime, labor, repairs to vehicles and
,arness, and discomfort can only be
checked by good roads.
For the farmer living in the
more remote parts Of the county, 1t
8 long, hard, days travel to get
o Logan and back home.
He must start before day and
yets home after dark; himself and
cam worn out by q journey of
ourteen or fifteen miles and return.
Think Of 1t! An extremely hard
lay on man and team to accom-.
'lish the getting to market with a