The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-12
AND CANALS.
A Word for GOOd Roads and n Suggc
ton for n Waterway.

A Word for Good Roads and a uggc
ton for a Waterway.
There will probably come before you nu-
merous measures concerning the improve
ment of roads. There are few questions of
greater Importance that will engage your
attention. 1t is being widely discussed by
the people of the entire country. National
and State road congresses are being held,
the discussions taking a wide range. Many
of the remedies proposed would doubtless
accomplish the result. l fear in too many
of the propositions that in the desire to
secure the improved roads due considera-
ton may not be given to the cost, nor to
that class of our citizens-the farmers
upon whom will necessarily fall the heav-
Ter burden in the expense of construction.
L do not underestimate the value of a
system of good roads to the public, and
believe there is great need for such i'm
provement, but in the framing of laws to
this end the interests and desires of those
who will at least have the cost to bear
should be chiefly considered, especially at
a time when the profits from farming are
not so large as they should be.
Plans devised by associations of civil
engineers, cyclist clubs and road congress-
es may be good-in theory the best-but
these are not always based upon the abil-
ity of the axpayer to pay In my inaug-
ura1 address two years ago, referring to
this same subject, l said,
The foundation of all true prosperity
and wealth rests more largely upon agri-
culture than any other interest that en-
cages the attention of our citizens. 1t
should be our duty to encourage and fos-
ter this, and hold to2a careful avoidance
of placing any additional burdens upon
this interest. For insTits prosperity rests
the common prospective uOfsHaH. The old
law has many yaluablef features that COM
mend themselves to the people. and IT is
people themselves are responsible largely
Tor its deficiencies, owing to the laxity of
ment to encourage oficiais faithfully to
carry out the PROVISIONS of the present
defects. There should be enacted no law
that will add to the burdens of this tax,
nor the management 80 far removed from
the people as to deprive them of the right
TO work out as it is termed, the tax SO
collected, if this is desired
In this day of electricity we may reason
ably expect, in the near future, electric
lines to branch out through the country. A
law should be enacted restricting county
commissioners In their. right to grant rights
their injury and ruin, for the travel of
those compelled to use them, and who have
borne the cost of their construction.
The increased interest now existing in the
United States on the subject of improve
ment in waterways, especially the connec-
y VI lilG SICdL II lIC 2llSSiSSlDpi
valley, warrants my calling your attention
to this subject for such action as you may
consider expedient. The day is coming, if
not already here. when the thought of the
people will be directed to Utilizing this
means Of transportation and shipment of
regulating the cost of getting the agricul-
tural and manufactured products of the
Mississippi valley to the markets OF the
world. Sr
Nature has been bountiful to us in this
resource, and the great waterways of the
country will in time be developed. A ship
canal connecting Lakes Erie and Michigan,
and both of these lakes. with the Ohio riv-
er, doubtless must be located in Indiana.
and it becomes important that we should
take such action in the iimin stages
of this great enterprise as win indicate our
earnest cooperation in the work.
The Constitution of New York has been
amended recently SO as to permit the legis-
lation necessary for the enlargement of the
Erie canal, and other States nave secured
surveys to be made by the general govern
mnt 1t is important that similar steps
be taken by Indiana. and j recommend that
you, by Joint resolution. request our Sem
ators and Representatives in Congress to
secure from the general government a sur
vey for a ship canal connecting Lake Mich
igan with the Ohio river.