The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1897-05-13
GOOD ROADS.

Why Not Give This Important Matter
Full Consideration at the Next ses-
sion Of the Legislature?
A recent issue of the National Advo--
cate, q journal devoted to agricultural
interests, contains paper on "'The Re-
lation of Good Roads to Rural Life
that is very timely. Apart from the i'm.
portant considerations of commercial
and industrial welfare, national and
State system of good roads is impera-
lively needed to build up country COM
munities, for the country is the store
house from which the nation draws its
strength.
Good roads also means the drawing
nearer of neighbors to one another IN
the enjoyment of social pleasures, and
at no distant day the establishment of a
rural mail delivery which, in itself,
would do much for the country, besides
indirectly helping to check the alarm
ing tendency towards emigration to the
cities-one Of the most disquieting fea-
lures of the social condition of the day.
Speaking of this, the National Advo-
"First, and as the necessity without
which nothing can be done, We must
have good roads-roads over which We
hicle or bicycle may glide rapidly and
smoothly, and even now, with such
roads. with good horses, or the swift
bicycle, are neighbors and families in
the country, IN closely settled commu-
mites, practically brought as near to-
gether for all social intercourse and en-
1oyment and advantages OF education
as residents of city. Small holdings,
we'll titled, bringing thickly populated
rural communities will support, in near
by towns, good schools, churches, pub
Lie libraries, gymnaslums, halls for mu,
steal and theatrical entertainments, and
social enjoyments of all kinds, and all
within easy reach of the entire commit
nifty. Under these conditions nothing
which the city has to offer may not be
had in the village, and within the reach
ofthe means of every thrifty farmer" :"
The Columbia Register, diverging a
little from this phase of the subject,
saws it may be we'll to consider the
practicability of establishing road
system in South Carolina that shall
meet all requirements, and yet relieve
the hard-worked farmer of burden
tnat would otherwise fall most heavily
on him we're legislative action taken in
the matter.
At the very season when the making
of good roads is task that can best be
performed, the average farmer is bus
lest on his farm, and to ask him at
t1ch times to work out his road tax
means to ask him to neglect his crops.
Besides, to insure good rosds-roads
that will wear and last-it is necessary
10 do more than little scraping and
blowing now and then. Good roads,
mean grading, draining ond macads-
MIXING, and this it is impracticable to
ask the farmer to perform.
His Just here that the advantage OF
convict labor becomes evident. The
inmates of the penitentiary have no
other duties but those at which they
NAV be set. and their labor is available
ct all seasons Of the year. Why, then,
to accomplish work Of such vast i'm
portance to the State should not the
muscle and Drawn Of the convicts be
brought into play? In no other way
could these men be employed 80 use
fully, and in no other way could these
unfortunates SO we'll receive the benefit
of wholesome, invigorating exercise.
Roadbuilding is, after all, the best
solution of the problem how to make
the State convicts pay for their main
tenance, and at the same time o6ntri-
butte something to the welfare of the
community whose privileges they have
abused. South Carolina sorely needs
good roads, and the effect Of them on
the value Of agricultural lands and
upon the moral we'll being of the State
can hardly be overestimated.
Why not give this important matter
. full consideration at the next session Of
the Legislature? 1t would be better
victs, and society at large if We should
employ the penitentiary population to
build and repair public roads instead of
keeping them employed ct tasks. the
product of which completes with free
labor, and results in no abiding good to
the community.