The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-06-09
SIDEWALKS AND ROADS.
IA Matter of Supreme interest to
Citizens and Countrymen.

How practical are the illustrations of
the need of sidewalks in some portions Of
the city, and how little in that direction
5it would take to satisfy those who live in
q those sect ons that are the least well pro-
vided with sidewalks. A little furnace
cinder or Stag just enough to raise the
pathway above the level of the mud held
In place by a plank on either side, would
costivery little and would be of great
comfort. Citizens living in the southeast
portion of the city have noticed for some
4 time past the several heaps Of this cinder
that have been placed along Randolph
street opposite the Roanoke and Southern
depot. They say that it was intended to
make sidewalk of along that street, but
that it has never been done. They would
& be exceedingly grateful If 1t were removed
to SOME more needy location. as it seems
of very little use there. Indeed q side.
walk along that particular part Of Ran
dolpb street is not altogether necessary,
as there are not many oassers-Ey afoot.
An editorial in the Evening World of
recent dare touches -uponia very import
ant subject. 1t refers to the condition of
the roads leading into the city aud the
& Inconvenience their bad condition must
cause to those coming in from sthe coup-
try. There has recently been very en-
thasiastic meeting in Lexington, Va, of
Rockbridge county being represented.
These meetings are becoming more and
more frequent. al over the country and
their good work is becoming more and
more apparent. Seeing the people of our
neighbor county SO alive to their interests
as involved in the condition of their
roads, cannot fail to suggest to our minds
that we might do likewise. Those who
pass through the farming districts snr.
pit l,It l,a
with the fact that our farmers are pro-
gressiye. Industrious and careful. The
neat, trim appearance of their farms
must convey the idea that they are provi-
dent and saving Aside from the mere
matter Of personal comfort and convent
ence the consideration .of the saving to
man add beast and rolling stock, and the
lessening of time between the marker and
the home, must all enter into schemes for
the improvement of the roads. Cooper
alton will accomplish more ythananything
else. Movements in this line have been
made in this neighborhood and at various
times, but Jhey will not amount to much
until the wise heads of some of our farm
ers are laid together with the wise heads
of some of our city people, whose interests
are as mutual as those of producer and
consumer can be, and some practical
scheme of working together is put before
4
and market upon the farmer. The farmer
depends upon the market and the market
upon us. Figure it either way and the
plea for safe, easy and quick transporta.
ton is just as strong.
One of our citizens whom we all know
tells the following story of darkey
stump speech. He says that the speaker,
a large, imposing, knowing looking old
colored man, appeared to be much en-
cited, probably caused by the utterances of
the gentleman who had just vacated the
stump. He spoke for come time, but fin
ally unable any longer to control within
him the surging waves of indignation
against and his contempt for his opponent,
he burst forth with all his powers of vitu-
peration unloosed-
'tDon't you niggers have nothin' to do |
wild him. He MT done nothin' he amt |
gwine to do -nothin' nohow. He amt no |
Pub'icin; he amt no 'Juster, he ''ain'r no |
Democrat. Den what is he? Fo' de Lord
he mus be 'mocracy! -
How many there are who are wise when
other people are wise, and who are found
to know just as little as we do when they
cannot read within us the direction in
which the popular wind is going to blow.
We refer to the weather prophets who. re-
sisting ali the efforts of sympathizng
friends and relatives, have refrained from