The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1896-01-08

who know whereof they speak, are the
most earnest workers for improved
roads.
In recent letter, the general passen-
ger agent of the Maine Central railroad
said:
IF some of our legislative friends could
travel throughout the country as much as
I have and see the wonderful growth OF
certain localities in the way of horses,
lcarria ges, bicycles. etc, where good roads
abound, and the very many claims which
exist in their favor, they would, l am sure,
at the last session of the legislature have
viewed the matter in a very different light.
II know for a certainty that there is
nothing now which the state OF Maine
could do to increase its interest more than
by the efforts for good roads.
Every locality would be benefited, 1t
not being confined to any particular one,
and visitors to our state would thus be
induced to remain longer, and, of course,
would leave more money within our bor-
ders, and, as intimated, this is but one of
the many lines of argument which might
be offered for general agitation of the
matter throughout the United States, as
tending to the early bringing about of
something which must eventually come.
But there is yet much preparatory
work to be done in educating the pub
lie mind, or rather the lack of it. The
mossback may like mud, simply be-
cause he has not been made to see
things in their right light.
And here is sample of what some ed
itors are still giving their readers. 1t is
clipped from recent issue of a Penn
syivanir paper:
Ever .Ince the bicycle sprang into gen.
eral fatsr as a road machine, there has
been cAF from wheelmen for better roads.
That seosns to be their hobby. AS rule,
very few wheelnen are property owners
and hav1 no road tax to pay. The farmers
are the ksaeS who must bear this burden.
Talk is cheap and that is one reason why
wheelmel do so much of it.
Good roads are enjoyed more by wheel
men thel any other class. They do great
deal Of travelling and have the benefit of
roads without paying cent. Now If these
good road agitators are consistent let them
help to keep the roads in good repair To
accomplish this end let them show their
loyalty by advocating an annual tax of
five dollars or less on every bicycle, to
be devoted to the maintenance Of our pub
lie highways. Consistency is a jewel.
How many wheelmen are willing to as
sist in Baeh a movement"
How much have the wheelmen assist
ed in securing good roads?
They are to be credited with the
whole good roads movement, and about
every improvement made in public
highways, of a general nature, that las
been made in years.
How much injury have the wheelmen
done to the roads?
Not q particle. The wheel is road
maker, and the use of it benefits rather
than Injuries road.
For farmers who would be brought
close to market, increase the value of
their farms, add to the pleasure of Nv
ing, save money on wear and tear Of
vehicles, be merciful to their beasts and
keep the boys on the farm and not
isolate them from the world and society
by barriers of impossible highways, no
good-roads argument is necessary.
For them to refuse to build good
roads for fear bicycler may enjoy rid
ing over them is the extreme of idiocy.
If tae editor of the paper above re-
ferred to lived on the bank of river he
had occasion to cross every day he
would prefer to swim back and forth
rather than to span it with log, that
some wayfarer might incidently pass
over.
The dog in the manger is still alive
and growing. But the world moves
toward higherand better things.-Good
Roads.
\ - l.