Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1898-12-23
FARMER AND PLANTER.
HOW TO SECURE GOOD ROADS,
They lie Built by the National
Government.

They De Built by the National
Government
Col, j. b. Killebrew, leading rail-
road officer of Nashville, long and in
timately identified with the develop
ment of the south, has in the South
ern Farm Magazine, of Baltimore, for
November,an interview on good roads,
in whish he takes radical position
likely TO attract very general discus
sion and to arouse widespread inter-
est among all classes, and especially
among farmers. Col. Killebrew says:
"Thc power given in the constitu-
ton to build post roads and post af-
fees may be construed as to include
all roads made for carrying mails, and
that under this provision it would be
proper for the national government to
undertake very comprehensive sys-
tenn of road building. The advantages
of good roads would be of such ines
Unable value to the people at large,
and especially to the great agricultu-
raj interests-the fountain of our ma
tional wealth-that the subject de-
mands the favorable consideration of
the whole country The benefits re-
sulting from the adoption by the gov
ernment of some general plan for
building and improving roads would
in every respect be beneficial to the
people and to the country. 1t would
furnish employment to all the idle la
Dor of the country, and this labor
would not be in competition with the
labor now employed in industrial and
agricultural pursuits. In fact, 1t would
relieve the congestion in the labor
market for some years to come and
create work that would be felt III
every avenue of business. While EN-
ployed in making better roads TINS Ia
Dor would benefit every class in every
community without injuring any
"The building of good roads woulo
relieve the congestion of population IN
cities by making life in the country
more pleasant and attractive. The
greatest drawback to country HE Is
the inability to move with ease from
point to point, owing to the muddy
roads. which are sometimes impassa-
BILE for five or six months In the year.
making such life confined and bar
rem of all social enjoyment, placing
the country people in many sections al
such great disadvantage that ambi-
ton is crushed, energiesare weakened,
industry paralyzed, and Ignorance is
increasing rather than diminishing
at least in some districts. This state
of things, for which the people of the
country districts are not responsible,
drives thousands to the cities, where
they often suffer privstion and power
ty, which lead them into temptation
and frequently into crime.
Good roads, wherever built, would
increase the value ofproperty through
out the country. They would make the
markets more accessible and in every
way add to the profit AZ well as to the
enjoyment of country life, and thus tc
the moral and material advancement
of the nation.
suppose the general government
should appropriate every year al
amount equal TO that now expended
for pensions, say $15O,0O0,OO0, for the
building and improvement of the
roads of the country. This would give
in round numbers, So per capita fol-
the entire population of the United
States. \ county covering, say, 500
square miles, with population $4,000
would receive annually for the build
ing of roads $4,000. This continued
for ten years would grade, macadam
ize and gravel every road in an aver
age county of this area,
"Who would begrudge the eXpendi
ture after such roads had been built
Who would not say that the eXpendi
ture was wise one, eleyatalg in its in
fluence and adding immensely TO tn,
tangible wealth Of the country? w,
are now paying more than this amour
on the expenditure of the Spanish war
is their single person who would no
receive benefit from good roads fal
greater in amount than he now payi
in war taxes? Put it in another way
Is there single person now using tn,
highways of the country, or who's,
business is in any way affected by tn,
traffic on the highways of the countr,
(and this touches every man and won
an in the United Statcs), who would
not be willing to pay as much for goot
roads as he now pays for the war will
Spain?
"Ihe revenue bill passed by the las
session of congress in order to rais
funds for carrying on the war prom
iscs to yield n much larger income
than will be needed for war expenses
Broadly stated it may be said tina
the people of the country do not fee
these war taxes, and If this bill shout,
be continued in effect and the surplu
revenue to the extent of, say, $150,0O0,
900 a year, be voted to the improve
ment of roads throughout the coun
try, the agricultural interests of ever,
section would be revolutionized, farm
life would become popular, and vas
upward movement would be given t.
every phase and feature of the bust
ness, social and educational life o
America"
In personal letter to the Southern
Farm Magazine bearing on this sub
jcct, Col. Killebrew adds:
"Why should the states and coun
ties of this country be called upon t
build roads TO be used by the Unite
States government in the transporta