The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-27
The Messemer.


- North Carolina led off among the
southern states in having a geological
survey begun and electing a competent
state geologist. Before Professor En-
mons came from New York state to
begin the work regularly the late Pro-
fessor Elisha Mitchell, D.. D., Of the
University of North Carolina, had
prosecuted surveys to considerable ex-
tent. Professor w. G.. Kerr, a dis
tinguished alumnus Of the University.
succeeded Professor Emmons. He
studied for several years at Harvard
University in a special course under
that great man Of science, Professor
Agassiz, a native, we believe, of Swftz-
erland. Professor Kerr prosecuted his
work with zeal, wisdom and energy.
His reports and those of his ~precedes-
sor, are valuable contributions and a
credit to North Carolina. For some
years Professor Holmes, a South Caro-
1inian and connected with the Univer-
sity, has had charge, and he has been
active inc successful in many labors.
His last annual report contains inter-
esting information. The survey has
been thoroughly prosecuted and two
new lines of work were undertaken in
addition to he work mapped out. Pro-
fessor Holmes reports Of renewed in
terest in regard to w~ater-power, min
ing and timber development. He tells
of the work Of the United States geo.
logic survey also-that it co-operates
with the state survey, and that the re-
cult id or mill I0 49, "~
great topographic and geological map
of the state" which is a desideratum
and highly creditable to all concerned.
the state included.
Professor Holmes for years has been
active in his efforts to stir up our peo-
pie in regard to building better and
more profitable country roads. He has
done excellent work just here. There
DIS nothing connected with state de-
velopment more needed, more import
an than the construction of solid, per-
manent roads in all the counties. The
mere question of saving to the farm
ers, the economic aspects of road build
ing, aside from comfort to travellers
n farmers, make the public road
question one of very great Importance.
Every village and town is really deep
ly involved here. Bad roads tax ire
mendously the farmers and others and
put a gag upon trade. A we'll con-
structed macadam road, without any
jObbery and with due economy, is
a permanent blessing to any people and
a forerunner Of development, improved
Axo1o orl ;porrouaI fornoc Tho Mos
senger is gratified to learn that there
is a growing interest in this matter.
First and last, this paper has had
more than twenty editorials urging the
Importance Of good country roads,, and
treating it in it's economic aspect-in
it's great saving to m and travel
ers in time, in cost, in wear and tear.
On a good macadam road a strong
horse will pull as much as four horses
can pull upon one of the ordinary
black or red mud roads-or deep san
dy roadside be found all over North
Carolina. Professor Holmes reports,
and it is indeed very encouraging. that
more than thirty counties in the state
have adopted in part at least, the poll
cy of working roads by taxation and
there is every reason to believe that the
approaching session of the general as
sembly a stilf-iarger number of coun-
ties will ask to be added to the list.
The people who are content to run IN
the old ruts, to pull through the same
old deep mud, to expend money and
time, and incur heavy loss and much
perplexity and ag~gravation Of mind, af'
ter the old way of "our fathers" anC
still living in the last century and al
blind to their own comfort and tru:
interests. Wake UP! Get in front o
the procession.