The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-01-26
FOR GOOD ROADS.
A Memorial to be Presented
to the Legislature.
Earnest Endeavor to do Some
thing Practicable.

nearly every part OF the State was
represented Among those present
were Col. Thomas of Richland ; King
of Darlington ; Hyatt of Richland ;
Mitchell Of Charleston I; Spiers of
Darlington Lyons of Abbeville {;
Majors of Greenwood Langford of
Lexington; Chandler and Eady of
Williamsburg I; Mauldin of Green
vile !; Howell of Spartanburg Suel
grave of Anderson Gaines of Edge
field and others
Col Thomas, president of the as
sociation, called the convention to
order, and in his brief address, ne
spoke of the fact that good roads
were in fact the agents Of civiliza
ton. 1t is a matter that should be
pushed If those present had en-
ergy and zeal enough. they could
carry the idea out Col Thomas spoke
of the financial benefit the people
would receive by having good coun-
try roads
Mr. Hyatt moved that committee
be appointed On resolutions This was
agreed to, and Messrs. Manldin of
Greenville. Hyatt, of Richland and
King of Darlington were appointed on
that committee.
This committee retired and the
Hon. R. A. Meares, being called
upon. made a few remarks on the
subject of good roads He felt that
the era of prosperity was rapidly ad-
vancipg and nothing helped it to
advance with more rapid strides than
good roads. As a member of the
general assembly he would do every
thing in his power to aid in securing
good country roads He thought an
active progressive policy was the
thing.
Senator Gaines being called upon,
in like manner said he thought the
first thing necessary was to have q
per capita road tax. The law at pres
ent was practically nullifed in its
own provisions County boards
should be allowed to levy the tax
There should be no option given to
anybody. BE thought it would be
we'll to extend the work of convicts
on the public roads. The State now
has lot of convicts making five cent
cotton. This puts money in the
treasury perhaps, but tenfold more
benefit would result if they were put
to work upon the roads. When he
referred to the wide tire law, be said
it would be years before :he State
had system of macadam roads
This. therefore, was the best thing
to aid in the maintenance of good
highways The roads would be
greatly improved by the use Of wide
tires and great saving would result
to the people. In many foreign
countries where they had macadam
roads they still made the use of wide
tires compulsory
Mr.. N. G. Gonzsles spoke Of the
necessity of having the tires of a Ger.
tain size. and pointed out what the
result would be by use of wagons
with tires of certain diameter. Mr..
Gaines agreed fully with this, but said
that his bill was an innovation, and
be was afraid that details could not
be carried out at once. As to de
tails. be had no special scheme
What be wanted was law which
would do something to improve the
roads
The committee on resolutions re-
ported favorably on the following, by
Mr.. Wilson
Resolved, That the legislature now
in session be requested to pass an act
authorizing the governor to appoint a
commission of three members to make
thorough and exhaustive examina-
tion into the question of road i'm
provement in South Carolina /; to de-
termine the conditions and needs of
each county; to inquire into the sys
tens in use in other states and coun-
ties and to report all the facts be-
fore the next meeting of the legisla-
ture, together with an outline of
general road law for South Carolina,
and that the sum of $500 be appro-
priated, if so much be necessary, to
meet the necessary expenses of this
commission
There was considerable discussion
over the resolution, but there was no
opposition to the general principles
of it, and it was adopted.
The committee on resolutions sub
mitted the following as substitute
for q resolution introduced by Mr.
Mitchell requiring fee to be paid
for membership.
Resolved, That the vice presidents
of the several counties be requested
ond uruad to raiee tho ann Of S5 and