The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-01-22
How To Get Good Roads.

IuotCSc SOhsVhAioh AZ AaNfAS
last week the assemblage was ad-
dressed by +. +. Perry Of the Lake
Erie & Western r. X. whe read an
interesting paper on Education
for Roads" He said: at is plain
to all the thinking men of whatever
occupation that any outlay in be-
half of the farming community will
be a paying investment and reflect
prosperity to themselves. This ac-
counts for the very general interest
manifested by all educated people
in the improvement Of country
roads, since all see how Immediately
and profoundly they would advance
the material prosperity Of the farm
er, and many see the vital influence
they would have upon his social
and intellectual condition.
"Good country roads would
bring the farmers nearer together,
they would bridge the gulf between
farm and city and give the laborers
in each common interest, thus en-
, larging the mental horizon OF both.
They would place the farmer in
close relationship with other busi-
ness men and with public affairs.
By virtually shortening distances
they would enlarge school districts
and the increased number Of pa
irons could afford to support graded
schools, thus giving long-needed
4 educational advantages to country
4 children. Social and intellectual
life would be quickened in every
way, and disadvantages of country
: life being withdrawn,the continuous
g exodus to the city Of the most prom
g ising and capable of each country
: family, now going on, would be
Y checked. Indeed, the tide might
a be expected to turn and many low
, ers of nature constrained to live il
S cities, but longing for beauty, health
!, and happiness Of the farm woulc
n seek rural homes. Thus the dis
aster which now threatens us woulC
be averted, for the draining Of th'
country districts, generation afte
" generation of their best men, If al
lowed to continue must ultimatel.
u degrade the farming community L
an inferior class.
eff good roads are prevention
u of such a calamity we should hav'
them at all costs. How to obtaiI
y them becomes a question Of para
e mount interest and importance
A good road given to people wht
s did not desire it, who could not ap
y preciate its value, and who were ig
norant of or unwilling to give th'
}. care necessary to its preservation
: would defeat its own end. 1t woult
be neglected and becoming impaired
would be monument to wastec
capital and a warning against simi
. lar future undertakings.
"In a country like ours, where
the people rule, they must lead
reforms cannot be thrust upon them
they must desire a measure before
= they can value it or care for it
: Before the country people have
! good roads they must realize theil
value and importance and earnestly
demand them. The natural and
only infallible way to bring about
! this end is through education. A
generation OF men taught in the dis
trict schools the advantages and i'm
portance of roads, and elementary
I principles Of their construction,
: would do more for the advancement
of good roads than any conceivable
outlay Of capital, or expenditure ol
: engineering skill. The measures
. Of a people SO grounded in knowl-
> edge would be free from extrava.
!. gances and erratic notions. They
J would be characterized by an even
ness, a patience and earnestness
I. and persistence necessary to sc
great an undertaking, but too seldom
: manifested in the present agitation
: : of the question by wheelmen, horse
: men, and engineers out Of employ
ment.
: "There is no need of attempting
to teach anything too abstruse O
'dificult for the comprehension o
!, the average country school boy
: The history of the developments o
: roads is full of interest; their eco
J, nomic aud social importance is easi
y ly understood, and introduces man,
simple questions in political econo
q my that will benefit the pupil
\ Simple apparatus for surveying ant
leveling such as every farmer shoul'
eIhave for aid in fencing and drain
fling his fields, could be obtained 70
J the schools at slight expense.
! Gas a rule farmers think the,
cannot afford the expense Of EN-
ploying an able engineer in maxim
road repairs, and SO undertake tn
lwork themselves II is discourau