The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1899-06-21

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which have the advantages and natural
highwsy.; the Davigable rivers with tide
waters and roadways and settle in
county 80 remote from markets and
which has high, rough mountains inter-
vening between the proposed new state
and the settled portion Of the country
along the Atlantic seaboard, and where
there was no communication with the
outer world. 1t WAS then that your
great statesmen, Henry Clay, saw the
opportunity to advance his idea Of in
ternal improvement. 1t was at his sug-
gestion, and with his indomitable perse-
verance that clause was inserted in the
articles admitting the territory OF Ohio,
that one tenth of the Sales Of the pre-
ceeds OF public lands should be set aside
for the purpose OF creating fund which
should BIZ devoted to the construction Of
a highway from the tdewater Of the Po-
mac at Cumberland, Md, to the Ohio
river. This was afterward built, and was
known as the National road. Various
sums were appropriated by Congress TO
aid the matter. It not only developed
Ohio. but was extended into Indiana
when that was admitted as State
Mr.. Clay was foremost in the grand
enterprise, and became known as the
father of internal improvements. In
looking to the advantage Of his own
State, he advocated road from Buffalo,
N. Y, to New Orleans A portion OF
this enterprise was carried out, the road
in your State starting at Maysville and
running to Nashville, Tenn, was to form
link. 1t was about this time that the
State of Kentucky began to make appro-
priations to encourage the formation OF
turnpike companies, to take possession
OF public roads and improve them, charg-
| ing tolls in order to maintain them Hence
your system OF roads, mostly through
the central portion of the state, which
did 80 much for its development. Your
own CITY, now without the advantages OF
the water communication, owes much OF
its growth and prosperity to the system
of turnpike roads, which center here
Various enterprises were inaugurated at
that time for other parts Of the country /;
some aided by the general Government
and others by States. But when the era
| Of railroads came, about 1884, then inter
est in public road improvement began to
abate, and it was supposed that railroads
would soon be constructed all over the
country and public roads would become
Of little account. We have come to a
new era in road improvement.
The construction Of sample roads as
object lessons is a reorganization Of the
truth of the well-known proverb, "The
proof OF the pudding is in the eating OF
it."
The law which authorizes and controls
the office Of Road Inquiry of the Nation
al Departm mt OF Agriculture, makes 1t
very clear that it was the intention Of
congress that this office shall be a part
of the education force OF that depart
ment.
The Road Inquiry is to inquire into
the facts relating to the conditions Of the
public roads OF the country, to see il the
country is put in damage, injury and
cost by reason Of the conditions Of the
ordinary public roads, to inquire as to
the advantages of roads which have been
improved by modern methods, and also
to gather facts as 10 the best method of
instruction and cost OF the same. The
flee IS to set forth these facts by pub
fishing bulletins from time to time and
distributing them throughout the coun-
try. The Road Inquiry is also to impart
information and give instructions as
to the manner OF construction Of i'm
proved roads and their maintenance at
S ate agricultural colleges and expert
ment stations.
After reviewing the work done by the
National Government, Mr.. Harrison
said
"The Government officials are satisfied
Il at this is one of the best methods OF
imparting instructions, being 80 we'll cal
culated to create public sentiment for
rC ad improvement, and which will cause
demand for more practical and help
full legislation. 1t also imparts informa-
ton TO the present road Overseers and
officials, and it is particularly important
in educating the young men at the az
ricultursl schools aud colleges, who will
iu time take charge of the construction
and maintenance Of public roads, to dc
the work in an intelligent way.
RESOLUTIONS.
Il Resolved, That We appreciate the
services rendered by Hon. James Will.
son, Secretary Of Agriculture, through
the Rad Inquiry Office, in sending an
expert on roads to construct a sample
road on the grounds OF one OF our State
il stitutions, and that the object lesson
Il us afforded has proved OF great benefit
10 the movement in favor Of good roads.
(2) That We endorse the Oommi sion
or of Agriculture in making road inn
provement feature OF Farmers Insti-
tutes, and recommend that this work be
continued during the coming season.
90. That the fornStlon OF county agri-
cultural societies is Tor tIS best intereIt