Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-08-31
GOOD .RoApS.

GOOD ROADS.
There is no more urgent need In the
United Statee for improvement than In
that Of good roads, roads that are
smooth, durable, and will resist rain and
frost, and are passable with heavy wag-
ons at all seasons Of the year. There Is
economy and wealth In good country
roads, and the people, the farmers es-
pecially, should have the benefit OF them.
| believe that the commercial value Of
good roads throughout the country, and
beyond computation.
Saying, therefore, nothing OF the
health, comfort and pleasure to be de-
rived from them, there Is the strongest
inducement for creating, II possible, the
Irresistible public sentiment In their be-
half. Good roads add to the attraction
OF country home life; they facilitate
traffic; they make Il easier to get TO
church, 10 school and to the polls. Tour
lists are attracted by them. There Is
neither wisdom, patriotism nor economy
In trying to get along without them.
It Is now winter. The snow hies, the
sleet cuts like steel teeth, and now Is the
time when every Improvement Of means
Of locomotion benefits mankind, morally
and intellectually as well as materially.
The management Of public highways Is,
and always has been, the most fsrcical
and impractical department In our pub
lie affairs AS = nation. Wherever Ia any
state the intelligence Of any community
has risen above the Laws and made good
roads prominent feature, there Is 10 be
found prosperous and wealthy agri-
cultural district.
Good roads. good schools and pros
perity follow one the other. Education
demands good roads, good roads CON-
mand prosperity. How are we TO attain
one Of these unless the people rise up
and make a united effort: The question,
how are the roads: tells the whole story
Of the dependence OF farmers on roads
for their prosperity, comfort, and even
for social recreation and enlightenment.
Without practicable transit, there can be
no support for family gatherings. lect-
ures or lyceums. aud the very schooling
OF the children of the country depends
on the same tbing-good roads.
Not simply comfort and convenience
in the daily Intercourse of social lifr,
but ecomicsl considerations OF vast im-
portance are iavolved in the question OF
improved roads throughout our country.
For every foot Of distance he travels the
wagon Is incurripg tax. In con-
veyiny the weight Of n ton 10 the mar
ker, the amount Of this tax, for mile
msv under favorable conditions, not ex-
ceed five cents. This conception OF a
roadway tax. and a clear ides as TO the
frequent euormiiy OF the imposition are
the fundamental notions which we need
TO fix in the minds OF our people. With
these we'll sffirmed, we may hope TO In
terest them in tie questions Of better
ments.
I believe that the more the theory
advanced il considered. that road
building should be under the supervision
OF the government, that a given per cent
Of the cost should be paid out OF the ~
tional treasury, and that portion at
least OF the labor required should be re-
crui,ed from the ranks OF the unemploy-
ed army, In times OF peace, the more
these propositions are studied the more
reasonable they will appear.
certainly trust that the movement
for better roads and their maintenance
in good condition IL one 10 which the
people OF the state will give their cordial
endorsement. Good roads in certain
seasons Of the year would largely add to
the resources OF this and other states
Turf, Farm and Home.