The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-01-31
FARM AND GARDEN.
FOR ROAD AGITATORS,

The natural steps to be taken at any
time and in any place are probably four
An getting at it,
First, to awaken interest.
Second, to enlist support.
Third, to organize effort, and
Fourth, to direct procedure.
In awakening interest it is first nee
essary that the agitator be more or less
familiar with the history of road build
ing, of improved roads, and the advan-
tages accruing by reason of good roads
both in social and a pecuniary way.
The requirement of a sufficient
knowledge of these matters to be inter-
esting will not require any very ex-
tended study or preparation, and even
though the information may be ex-
ceedingly perfunctory, yet the prospect
of advantages of any kind will excite
sufficient curiosity to lead to an intelli-
gent investigation of the matter.
Literature can be secured that will
materially aid in the investigation.
Engineers estimates of cost of con-
struction, of the different classes of
Improvement, of the advantages of one
kind of road over another in the cost
of moving loads over them, marketing
produce, periodicals devoted to such
enterprise, consular reports, statistics,
etc, etc.
Beside the personal work to be done,
the local papers should be used. Every
issue should mention the subject in
some way or other that will not fail to
arrest the attention of it's readers and,
If possible, to provoke discussion.
When interest has been awakened,
even though the citizens do not rise up
in a mass and demand the improve
ments, as they probably will not do,
for the masses have to be handled as
well as educated on any new depart
ure; the next thing is to enlist support.
Care must be exercised to enlist, if
possible. the most influential, and
sufficient number, and have them so
much interested as to be pledged to the
improvements sought.
Men are much like sheep when a new
opening or departure presents itself;
all hesitate until two or three make
start, then all are likely to follow
speedily.
Over the names of few such leaders
thus enlisted, if practicable, call
meeting of the citizens for the purpose
of considering the matter of improve
ments.
AT the meeting the disadvantages,
Inconvenience and discomforts of the
present condition ought to be fully re-
hearsed and, if possible, every one at
fan1ir,Cr Slar,1I ha i,,l,,naI 70 odd Il
complaint to the general protest.
Men are always ready to complain
and in this matter, contrary to all rule,
they should be given every opportunity
and encouragement, for they thus
predicate themselves to the right side
of the question.
The next step may now be taken and
an organized effort made. The very
first meeting may and should be per-
manently organized; chairman and
secretary and committees chosen, reso-
buttons of disapprobation and, if neces-
sary, reprobatlon Of the present condi-
tion of things passed, petitions or COM
munications to the necessary author
tiles prepared and forwarded, or dele
cations sent.
If the first meeting be too soon to do
all this successfully, the meeting
should be adjourned from time to time
until the sentiment will support the de-
sired action.
Now comes the last and most impor-
tant step, and, withal, the most diff
cult of exact description, in the promo
ton of the enterprise. The direction
of procedure is that rounding up Of
sentiment, support and effort which
will crystalline into favorable decision
of the proper authorities, and the bal
ance will be the detail of legislation
and the preparation Of plans to con-
summate the work, and is beyond the
question, or is rather the fruition of the
effort of ''how to get at it."
1t will require wisdom to consum-
mate this last step, for, while it may
be easy to excite interest and expecta-
ton, to enlist support or even to organ
ize effort, yet all this will fall short Of
reaching the desired enc unless due
care is had to the proper understand
ing of the feasibility of the project.
The natural advantages must be taken
into account and made the most of.
The raising of funds must be so shaped
as to be least burdensome to the people
by whom paid, and the proper distribu-
ton of the improvements pointed out,
and all this must be in aid of the proper
authorities.
1t cannot be successfully foretold
just what course should be pursued in
all cases, for the situations both as to
enactment and the extent and nature
of the improvement projected differ in
county or town, and in different Sec
tions of country and different sized
towns.
These are in general the steps to be
taken in getting at it," but the most
important thing is to begin. Begin at
once, and keep at it; earn the name OF
a crank on roads," if necessary, but
never let up; follow it tirelessly, con-
stantly.
The theme is so rational that it must
win in the end, and then comes the re-
ward.-C. d. Chamberlain, in Good
Roads.
Western Legislators Opinion.
j. j. Baston, member from the Thir-
ty-fourth district. Hennepin county,
AL L. I. l..