The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-09-24
GOOD ROADS NOTES.


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Sowing the Seed. A
A dozen years ago, when the good
roads agitation was started. and the
early workers began to SOW the SEED
that they hoped would bring forth
fruit a hundred fold, they had the ex.
perience that always falls to the lot OF
the sower-some seed fell upon good
ground; some fell where there was Ut
tie depth of earth; some fell among
thorns.. and others by the wayside.
It was not expected that all seed
could be- sown on good land, nor that
all which should be sown would
spring up to bear fruit. In such an
undertaking it was more than ever
necessary to follow the example which
Nature sets, and sow with wanton
bounty, in order that here and there
some might take root. In Natures
economy, provision to guard against
loss and prevent failure is made with
a lavish hand, and thousands OF bios
SONS and seeds are blown hither and
thither to every one that rests in good
soil and terminates.
Tt was thus with the doctrine OF
better roads. When that gospel be-
gan to be preached it fell upon few
willing ears; some received it with Joy
and profted by it. Many more who
heard it were needless and Indifferent;
they listened, were interested for the
moment, and then forgot it all. Then
there were many more who would not
hear, or who, hearing. would not un-
derstand. Lastly, there were those
who rebelled at the doctrine, who
antagonized it, who controverted it,
and who sought in every way to re-
flute it.
Nevertheless, the gospel OF good
roads continued to be preached with
unremitting zeal until everyone had
heard, or had the opportunity to hear
it. Into many sections of the country
it penetrated slowly, and the recep-
tivity of mind of those who heard il
varied widely. The majority aroused
themselves but slowly to realization
of its truths. It was slime upon line
precept upon precept, here q little
and there little"-the same truth re
peated and reiterated in Thousand
ways. :.
At first a consideration Of the OBJ
iects and advantages of permanen
highways is relied upon to arouse in
terest and show what can be gainet
by instituting q course Of improve
ments. This part of the subject ma.
be handled in q thousand ways, an
be repeated DER and Ger. It is pre-
} liminary and all-important step
When interest is aroused, an investi
J CATION of the conditions that actual
obtain reveals much that is surprising
and the character of improvement
that should be made presents itsell
Then follows comparison of method
of construction and systems of car
and repair, together with the cost
t the same and, finally, an examinatio
of the "ways and MEANS" or tn
, most just and equitable manner
apportioning the expense.
: The work is all new to our countr.
and experience elsewhere can onl
: serve as q partial guide-to a lare
extent we must work out the problel
r for ourselves. This requires tim
and patience and no little experiment
It needs courage and determination
: and, as the work moves on step t
s step, it must continue that persistel
j. agitation of every phase Of the subie
d by which alone its Importance can
J, brought home to everyone.-L. A. v
e Bulletin.