The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-13

THE GOOD ROADS CONVENTION.

Houston is convention center and
much useful convention work has been
transacted In Houston, but no convention
work. so capable of promoting the sub
stantial advancement OF the State, has
ever been accomplished here or elsewhere
in Texas as that which is promised by the
good roads convention to convene In
Houston next Saturday.
This convention is prompted by the In
terstate Good Roads and Public
Improvement association which Is
strenuously endeavoring to create
a uniform system of road Inn
provement throughout the United States.
An association capable OF working out
greater benefactons to the agricultural
classes has not yet been Instituted. Other
States have applsuded It's mission ana
adopted its suggestions with the result
that public thoroughfares have been i'm
proved TO the comfort OF the traveller, the
profit of the farmer and the material ad-
vancement of the State
Ex-Governor John +. Altgeld OF Illinois
said, in his inaugural address of 1892
that which is just as applicable to Texas
as TO Illinois:
While our State has developed in every
other respect, VIC have made no progress ia
the matter of roads. We are, In ms regarn,
almost whore We were halt q century ago so
that for a number OF months in a year our
roads are almost mpassahle Ihe loss ana
inconvenience of this falls most heavily on
our agricultural communities. Not ouly q
The farmer subjected TO heavy loss IN the
wear and tear Of his team but he rs ire,
quontly prevented from awaiting himself OF
favorable markets BY the .mpassabeness OF
the roads. TIL. State should again take up
the subject OF internal improvements. ana
adopt q policy that will tend to the building
OF good roads IN every county IN the state
roads that can be travelled every day IN me
year. As the railroads do ali the carrying Tor
long distances. wagon roads are to a great
extent local matter in each county rms
being So the roads will not need to be 50
wide aud can therefore, be more cheaply
built than would otherwise be possible II is
also probable that some OF the convcts In our
pententaries could be used TO prepare ma
teral Tor the building OF roads.
The Merchants Journal of Topeka, Kan.
an accepted authority on the subject,
declares that the cost in transportation Of
products is reduced % per cent by good
roads. But the economic need of good
roads stands unchaienged by men OF
common sense. The question therefore to
be determined is the method by which an
era OF good road building can be inaugu-
rated throughout the country.
| Elk Governor Hill of New York who has
| given much thought to the practical pro-
motion of good roads industry, has sug-
gested that the State construct, under
the direction of skilled engineers. certain
roads in each county of the State as ex-
amples OF what roads should be and that
thereafter the counties themselves asum,
the duties OK road building. BY all means
a pattern OF the standard good road
should be agreed upon that viii result in as
high degree OF uniformity as is con-
sstent with climatic and local conditions
One OF the features of the Houston pro-
gramme, we believe, is to construct a
piece of road that win serve as standard
of excellence and upon this work the best
thought CT the practical engineer and
consuuctionist should be leveled.
one OF the conveniences and economies
that come with good roads is the rural
free postal delivery. At the recent good
roads convention of Des Moines, Iowa
this fact was appreciated and referred tc
in the following resolution;
4. Believing that the postal system OF tn
general government was Instituted upon th
theory OF serving without discrimination al
the people IN n just and liberal manner an
recognizing The many social and pecuniary ad
vantages OF rural free mail service, not only I
the rural population, but alike to all classes
and that such service Ia dependent on goo
roads. therefore, resolved; That we are
favor OF such an appropriation by congres
as viii insure the speedy and permanent es
tahlishment OF such service thru ghout th
country where the conditions as to good road
and population Will Justify. and that we here
, by respectfully request our members OF cor
, gross In both the senate and tho house
vote for such an appropriation
hut whatever method Of road huildin
shall be agreed upon in the Houston con
venton. The Post Is convinced that II vii
. he one upon which practical and prohtabl
results will attend.