The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-06
GOOD R0ADsPUBLIC SENTIMENT

One of the best county commissioners
in North Carolina recently said, referring
to this papers advocacy of the three
vital needs of this State:
/. Better schools and full school at
tendance.
2. Better roads, and
3. More free rural deliveries:
you ought to put Better Roads first.
That is the paramount need of North
Carolina. We are spending proportion
ately too much money for schools, espe-
cially negro schools, and too little for
roads. In fact we ought to double the
money spent for good roads and decrease
the money for schools. You will never
have full attendance in the rural districts
at the schools until you have better
roads. Let the pressure for school money
stop now and put all that is possible on
roads for the next three or four years.
By doing that you will be doing more for
the schools in the long run than giving
them so much now"
There is no need of conflict-all these
three needs ought to be stressed. Good
roads are necessary for larger school at
tendance in the country for a complete
free rural system, for agricultural pros
perity, and for making farm life more at
tractive. The county that does most for
roads will thereby do most for schools
and for free rural deliveries
This weeks Anglo Saxon tells of a
movement in upper Richmond county that
ought to extend to all sections. A meet
ing has been called at Parsons Store,
September 18th, for the purpose of or
ganizing Good Roads Club. Writing of
what such an organization can accom-
plsh and the result in the increase Of
land values, the Anglo-Saxo says:
First. They should see to it that road
overseers are duly elected in every town
ship.
Second. That these overseers do their
full duty by having the roads worked
the full number of days allowed by law,
as they should be when they are in such
bad fix as they now are.
Third. They should see to it that
TIC serve every DAY he is called for or
furnish Substitute, ar they should re-
port the matter 10 the grand jury, or,
speedier yet, make complaint to a justice
of the peace.
Fourth. They can get agreements
from all good, plblic spirited itii ems to
volunteer for extra road duty, in places
where it is badly needed, during the dull
seasons when they c;n easily spare the
time. The ordinary laborcrs can give
their time and rhe InOle prosperous can
send teams and tools.
And what is more important than
either they can generate lively good
roads sentiment. Do this and Wei have
good roads. It's big undertaking, yes.
But may the time never come when this
great people shall not have some ere at
enterprise to engage their energies
Instill in the people a determination 10
have good roads and they will have good
roads. Accomplishment has always been
the speedy offspring Of determination
with our people.
Real good roads would double the
value of two-thirdS of the farms in Rich
mond county. The best farming lands in
Richmond county, AMI large bodies of it,
are almost valueicsS because Of bad
roads. If our Upper Richmond friends
will provide themselves good county
roads they will witness such an increase
in values and in enterprises as will soon
bring them railroad facilities.
Why not have such an organization
and cultivate united spirit of road I'M
provement in every county and neighbor
hood in North Carolina? The chief in
terest of this Commonwealth is agricul-
ture, and while there will be more manu-
featuring the youngest child now born
will not be living when agriculture will
not be the States chief industry. 1t has
languished and been made more burden
some because of miserable apologies for
roads Every neighborhood cannot have
macadam Toads-and all do not need it
but every neighborhood can have good
roads if the people are resolved to have
them and are willing to work and be
taxed to secure them.
REVENUE LAW WORKS WELL.