Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-03
The Importance of Good Roads.
ATLANTA Constitution


The roads of a country are its com
| mercial arteries. and the Importance OF
keeping these arteries i'm good condition
cannot be too strongly emphasized. In
the South we have not given the subject
of good roads the attention which II pro-
perly deserves, and the consequences is
that our material development mas been
somewhat hindered on this account. But
the future is still before us, and it lies
within our power to atone in some mea-
sure for our past shortcomings by giving
the subject of good roads more careful
attention in the future. If we expect TO
secure for this section the industrial pres
uge to which its marvellous wealth en-
titles IT, we cannot make a better start
In this direction than by putting our
roads in good condition.
or course, the farmer will be the first
10 experience the benefit Of this improve
ment, but its sphere of influence will not
be restricted to the farmer. Indirectly
1t viii make itself apparent in tn.
changed status of our people generally.
and every interest of this section will
derive fresh energy and life from its
lnyiSorating touch. Several days ago
Professor w. c. Latta, of Purdue Uni
Verslty, Lafayette, Ind, discussed the
subject of good roads at some length
In a public address. So thoroughly did
this distinguished educator enter into
tho merits Of the subject that some re-
view Of the salient points of his address
may not be amiss i'm this connection
without going too much into detail. these
points, which seem to thoroughly con-
dense the argument may be briefly sum-
married as follows: First. good roads
economic time and force i'm the labor of
transporting products from the farm to
Is 1VlH. Of
farmer TO take advantage of market
fluctuations in buying and selling; third,
they permit transportation of farm pro-
ducts and purchased commodities du-
ring times Of comparative leisure; fourth
they reduce the wear and tear on horses,
harness, and vehicles, and, fifth. they en-
nance the market value Of real estate.
Each Of these reasons separately con-
sidered is sufficient in itself to warrant
our people in putting forth their utmost
eXertiOns to improve the. condition of our
roads, and to keep them in a good condi-
ton. There is no telling what our farm
ers have lost. and, Indirectly, what cur
people generally have lost, on account Of
bad roads; and, without allowing our
selves longer 70 remain Indifferent TO the
claims Of this important subject ii be-
hooves US from this time forward to
make our roads the objects of our special |
solicitude. When we begin TO do this. |
such as we have never before |
known in Dixie will begin to reign |
throughout her borders.
one reason why the South has not |
taken more interest in the subject Of |
good roads until the present time is due |
in part to the restitution in which the |
late war left her, and in part TO the lack |
OF sufficient agitation For more than |
twenty years the South was compelled |
to struggle under the heavy burden Of !
debt which the late war entailed upon |
her, and she lacked the means necessary |
FOR improving the condition Of her roads; |
but things are now different. With the |
light of better days breaking upon her
she is now possessed of ample means with |
which TO devote herself to the task of |
improving the condition of her roads;
and, moreover, she realizes. as she has
never realized before, the Importance of
giving this subject her attention. She
realizes that railway systems. no matter
low much they may be multiplied and
extended, cannot supply the deficiencies
IF country roads. and that if the re-
sources of this section are ever fully de-
'eloped, it must be accomplished through
he agency Of good roads. With this con-
fiction firmly stamped upon her mind.
he South intends within the next few
years 10 apply herself with fixed deter
nination to the task of building up good
oads, and over these good roads she in
ENDS 10 march with stately strides into
he proud inheritance which lies before
Ter.