The suburban citizen., 1900-06-30
GOOD ROADS NOTES .
A farmers Views.

SNA NolihlANto Lut lhOSLtDolNG y
character of a community by the con-
dition Of the public highways. The
time is past when mere track
through the woods satisfies the farm
er, and good roads is the demand of
the period. The good road convention
lately held at Omaha was Indicative
of the increased interest in this ques-
ton, and the number attending from
distant States was proof of the impor-
tance of securing better roads. The
great question was how to build good
roads and have them permanent.
Many OF the Eastern men argued for
macadam or broken stone for a cover
ing for the highways, but some of the
Western men thought that very little
of the Western limestone could resist
the severe frost of winter.
In some States the prisoners and
convicts were put to wor.; to prepare
the broken stone for roads; no stoL2
applied that would not pass through a
ring of a given size. This secured a
good uniform road bed. Some of the
principal roads in the republic were
built in this way, and the great ma
tional road connecting Washington,
d. c., with St. Louis, Mo-, is a stand.
ing evidence of the Importance Of
building first-class roads to invite the
attention of settlers. The Romans al
ways built tirst-class roads to secure
their distant colonies, and the Incas
of Peru built roads extending many
hundreds of miles that exist to this
day. But none of those rations had
the intelligence and command of re-
sources that the citizens of this reprb-
lie have.
Farmers as a class have been the
ardent advocates of the railroads and
contributed largely to their construc-
tion, and those rich corporations ought
to extend a helping hand to improve
the common roads. There were various
schemes agitated in that convention
for improving our highways. One
that called for notice was a steel or
iron track suitable for an ordinary
wagon to run on, and an ordinary
team could haul four or five tons with
ease. This was fat piece of iron or
steel about six inches wide with
slight flange on the edge, as there was
a double track with just room for the
team between; the cart or wagon once
on could remain or pull off at any
place, as there should be a double
track for going or coming, but it
struck the observer that all teams
should travel at a uniform pace. 1t
seemed that the general feeling among
the members present was in favor of
more efficient road laws; all road tax
to be paid in cash. The roadbed once
properly constructed and rounded up
to secure drainage, a covering Of a
good article of gravel, If easily
reached was the cheapest and most
desirable for our common roads.
Now Is the time for action. You
farmers who have nice carriages and
spring wagons, etc, feel bad to haul
them over the mud and mire that you
have to pass over to your market
towns, churches or places Of amuse-
ment. Get together and secure legis-
lation on this important movement.
Here is a common interest where no
political bias can enter.
1 would suggest the agitation of the
following reforms, to be secured by
the farmers in aid Of good roads, and
demand consideration of them by
your representatives.
First. Thorough change in our road
system, and the payment Of all road
work in cash.
Second, The appointment or cleo
ton Of a county superintendent of
roads. He should be a competent en-
gineer, whose duty should be to pass
over all roads in the county and leave
instructions to see that the sides of the
roads were kept clear of noXiOus
weeds, and that all taxes were paid,
all bridges kept in good repair, and
no person permitted to deposit a bal
lot that had not paid his road tax. If
the farmers once wake up to. the inn
portance of improving our highways
they can accomplish all they desire.
Take some of the leading roads, keep
the road grader smoothing and round
ing up the roads and cover a certain
number of miles each year with brok-
en- stone or gravel, and you will soon
have first-class roads to pass over
Iowa Farmer.