Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1901-08-22
GOOD ROADS TRAINS.
speaker. and VIII No Doabt.
Prove Very Helpful.


belongs the credit Of suggesting the
actual demonstration of good roads by
sending a good roads train about the
country 70 show the people how to
build roads n he had not been active
" engaged in his legislative duties his
train would have beer started long
ago. but owing 70 this fact others have
appropriated the idea and started
good roads train ahead of Ms own. The
senator expresses pleasure that the
idea has been copied. and hopes that
still others VIII take it mp. for all that
be desires ! the rapid dissemination
OF the gospel of good roads, and he
thinks the good roads train affords the
most effective method.
senator Earie's train viii leave De-
troit equipped with all the modern
machinery used in the construction
and maintenance Of good roads. The
most convincing speakers viii accom-
panv the train. ard they viii preach
the gospel Of better highways wher-
ever the train goes. These advocates
understand that Rome was not built
in 4 day. and that neither were the
splendid highways Of Europe con-
structed in year. Ba; they maintain
that now is the tine 20 begin a svs-
temaf.e Improvement 81 the roads OF
the United States. There i only one
thing lacking ~ 7 general bet-ering Of
The present deplorabIe condition of
the common dirt roads. and hat Is the
VIII OF the people. The Yankee spirit
which dominates The American people
enables them 20 appreciate good
thing when they see il. and therefore
r i expected that the good roads
train viii make more converts and pro-
ducr better results than ANYTHING else
which cuuid be done.
good sized train. which viii include
ten carloads ~ machinery. Is already
made up. waiting for the signal to
start \ corps % expert road builders
VIII he included in the outfit. which
VIII insure the construction Of the
sample Of road On scientific principles.
Canada has a train in preparation.
but with greater advantages. mas
much a. the government has apprn-
priated si.0oa.1oe 70 be expended in
lettering the roads OF that region
Thus far the United States govern
ment has not done ANYTHING worthy
of mention in this direction; in fact. II
may he said. to it, shame. that the Off
Gals in charge Of the department for
the improvement Of roads in this eoun-
try have been obliged TO rely almas.
wholly upon their own resources or
generuus-hearted philanthropists in
promoting the work senator Earle
thinks the time Is ripe for This great
republic TO make a liberal aPpropria-
tion II the cause % good roads. and
he expects to bend all his energies in
the attainment of this end. bu, he
strongly hopes and asks for the hearty
cooperation Of all people who may be
in sympathy with the movement.
II i the earnest hope Of Senator
Earle that the good roads movement
will be enthusiastically taken up bv
every state in the union. And there :
much evidence in support of the belief
that his hope viii be fully realized.
Nineteen states have either held or
are TO hold state conventions to boom
the movement for good roads during
the year 1901. State Engineer Bond. Of
AIbany, Y. Y. has suggested to the
managers Of the Pan-American expo
sttion that they do something for the
cause Accordingly. arrangements for
another national gathering. 70 Gun
vene at Buffalo some time in Septem-
Der. are being rapidly perfected. This
monster national mass meeting vii
IN no way interfere with the work be-
ing done by either the state or "a
tIonal good roads associations. Much
thought and attention Is being given
10 that portion Of the programme which
deals with modern road making ma
ehinery, and Il i expected thar there
/ VIII be the largest exhibition ever
known Of this kind of machinery at
the Pan-American in connection with
this meeting. The Charleston expoSi-
ton. which will open in December. will
do much 10 further the cause in the
south. The managers are making
strenuous efforts 70 have tire good
roads feature among the most promi-
nent and helpful. Municipal Journal.