Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1896-05-08
IMPROVED HIGHWAYS.
Fact Brought Out at the Recent National
Road Parliament.

ROAD Hhriinment.
The movement in favor of better
roads, which has been prosecuted with
such vigor in this country during the
past two or three years, has already
horne good fruit in general states. I'm
der the law passed by the last legls.
lature in Connections for promoting
good roads about 30 have been com
pleted in the state, Of which 10 have
already been accepted by the state roao
commissioners. Some 76 towns out o.
the 1853 in the state will probably avail
themselves soon of the provisions OF
the act, which provides that the state
shall pay one-third the cost of new
road, the county one-third and the
town one-third--no town to eXpend
more than $4,000 in one year under the
act, and the state not to spend in one
year more than $4,000 altogether. The
law requires "a macadamized road OF
telford or other stone road, or other
road that will at all seasons of the year
| be firm, smooth and convenient for
travel" the town to keep it in repair
when built. Many valuable and inter
csting facts and figures connected with
the improvement of roads were brought
out at the recent national road parlia.
ment at Atlanta. The reports showed
that Massachusetts leads in good road
making, with an annual appropriation
of 100000 in state road building, dis.
tributed under the direction of hel
commission. New Jersey, which has
been considered the banner state for
good roads, in addition to many miles
of county roads, reported progressive
improvement under her state aid law,
the appropriation for which is now
$150,000. In some of the states of the
west, and in many states of the south
country road building has progressed
especially south, by the use of convict
labor California has done no road
building, because of the problem OF
local centcrs of population being sepa.
rated by long distances of unsettled
country. @New York has taken step in
advance by the appointment of com
mission to investigate the subject Of
good roads and devise some plan fol-
legislative adoption.
The resolutions adopted by the par
lament at Atlanta urged the formation
of good-roads associations in all state.
where none now exist. The agricul
tural department was commended fol
the interest it has taken and the prac
teal information it has disseminated
in regard to road building. The con
struction of roads was claimed to be
proper work for the state, alone or il
cooperation with counties, township
and municipalities. The resolutions
favored the adjustment of the practic
of highway working in payment of ia!
assessment, urged the use of wide tire
and commended the utilization of pena
labor in road construction. The par
lament, looking with disfavor upol
roadside fences, asked for the passag
of state laws which will protect farm
from trespass and encourage the re
moval of expensive fence lines along tn
highways, where not necessary to il
, close pasturage. Congress was aske
to survey all public lands before sal
for the establishment of the necessar
lines of highways.
The improvement of the public higf
ways is a matter of vital interest to a
classes and conditions of people.
has very large and direct relation t
the individual and commercial weliar
Of every community. Nothing of mf
terial sort is more conducive to the con
fort, pleasure and prosperity of a PEE
pie than wide, smooth and well-keI
, roads and streets.
The subject of good roads has recen
ly taken firm hold in the public min'
: and advance steps TO secure improve
ment in this important direction ha,
u been taken in many sections both {
this and neighboring states. 1t dot
indeed begin to look as if the people ha
determined to no longer remain col
tent with thoroughfares which wei
Z at once disgrace to them and a sever
fax upon all their forms of industr
u They have been slow to move in tt
{ matter, but now that they have, we b
lieve that the work will be done tho
u oughly and right Christian Work.