The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-12-25
STATE ASSOCIATION
FOR GOOD ROADS.
"a ron w>wo MOVEMENT IN A FINE
CAUSE.


. Roads iu South Carolina.
1 ho Hountaincer, Dec, 2ist,
I The Good Roads Congress mot In Il
< drand opera house at 1O o'c. .ock Thur
lay mrning aud Was called to order |
Ill II ~ L.. Msuldin, chairman Of Il
Committee n arrangements, who brief
ada ssCti the delegates and extend,
4. ehtnk- fot their coming to a convcntiu
!, fof the promotion OF good roads,
M yemen. '7!ii:h was iraugh, vi,
/, grcaLur good to ihc people If s ut
CaroliDa than any uLhvr ihca;uic uul.l
il was .bc education of the white chill,
ron Of tho State. uo introduced Hor
A. Ii. Dean, who had beon selected b
tho committco to extend a,welcume l.
the delegates and visitors on this oc
casion. Mr.. Dean madc forcible an,
excellent address, in which he gave as
surance that the inclcment and Chill,
weather was not indicative of th
warmth and enthusiasm of Greenville q
their coming. Senator Dean spoke ii
substance as follows:
1t is a matter of keen regret that the
very severe weather has kept from at
tendance upon this meeting great
and purposes. | believe that it il The
most important meeting which has been
held in this State within decade and no,
only esteem it a pleasant personal privi
lego but high honor, as tho representa-.
tive VI tho city and county, to speak q
few words Of welcome TO those present
who have given us their influence and
cooperation in this great work. There
IL not within the bounds Of the Union a
more God blest or richly endowed Sec
zion than tho Piedmont of South Caro-
lima We regard good roads as next in
Importance to our great duty in training
the minds and hearts OF tie young. We
are thoroughly alive to the Importance
OF this movement and have resolutcly
determined that within the confines OF
Greenville County. Good Roads shall
not be simply an Utopian dream, and we
invite other sections of the State to lock
shields as did the Roman soldiers, and
let us near our grand old State onward
in this work to that measure of accom-.
plishment to which our conditions en-
title us.
1T was Mr.. Webster who said let our
object be our country, our whole coun-
try, and nothing but our country be.
lieve that that lofty sentiment will be
the shibbolelh Of this convention. To
bo charter membcr III an organization
having such high and worthy purpose is
indeed disling uishcd honor, and the
progress made here will be TO US all
source OF satisfaction and gladncss dur
ing Tho approaching, joyous Christmas
tide.
II bid you in behalf Of the Pearl OF
q Nlx., DID
pleasures and privileges of the conven
tiOn, and to the rewards and triumphs
TO follow the work here to be begun"
The response to the welcoming speech
was made by Mr.. w. ii. Moore, presi-
dent of the National Good Roads asso
citation, who delivered an impressive ad
dress upon the subject of improved high
way and tho methods of obtaining them
MIR. Moore insisted upon thorou ,Ih and |
efficient organization as primary means |
Of securing good roads, and he gave a |
concise history of the national associa. |
lion which was organized few years |
ago with headquarters in Chicago. |
Thirty nine States were represented in
this organization, and an application |
was made to Congress for an appropria
lion Of $3.50. 600 to promote the organiza.
lion in all the States, which had the |
L
and secretary Wilson, of tho agricui- |
rural department. Congress appropria-
led more than $50, 100000 to tho rivers
and harbors last year, and gave only
b2O, 600 for the furtbcrance of the good |
roads movement in this country.
MIR. Moore dwelt at some length upon
The several plans for obtaining money
with which to improve the public roads,
and three as worthy OF consideration.
First, he advocated as a practical and
effective plan Of raising money the levy.
ing Of rs cts. upon every hundred dollars
worth of taxable property to cxpend
upon the roads. Second, what Is known
ss State aid, where the State appro-
PIRATES one-third, tho town or county
one third and the abutting property
owners one.third Of whatever amount
may be agreed upon, which mode of tax
and other States. Third, the issuance Of |
county bonds for road purposes and |
lhis method was urged by Mr.. Moore as
the most satisfactory after al, because 1t
was an equitable distribution OF the cost
upon all people, who Guild realize The
benefits and advantages OF good roads |
ut once, and postetity could aid in pay
ing for them.
1TCblucuL DlOOIC Wdo qulIC COulpllmCu |
tary In several instances, and praised !
very highly the action OF the Southern
Railway in making provision for the |
tours Of the GOOD Roads special" in
its territory, explaining the interest of
In the bettcrment Of the high. |
ways. He gave much credit TO Green.
Vile for its enterprise and activity in |
this movement, and for its progress In |
modern road making with improved ma
He also alluded in fattering |
terms to Anderson County. saying that |
its citizens were confident 1t was the |
best county In the United States and he |
was not here TO disprovo It, The Ex !
position In Charleston also received |
much commentator from Mr. Moore,
and he is greatly impressed with its
value and Importance to the State, which |
will continue to derive benefit from the |
Exposition long after it's gates are per
mancntly closed. Mr.. Moore advised
that the State organization bo postponed
until February, when a Good Roads
convention will be huld in Charleston,
and suggested that Piedmont associa
tion be organized at this timo
Capt. ID O.. Hayward, OF Colleton, was
next introduced to the convention. and
made an earnest speech In advocacy OF
the good roads movement He told OF the
roads down in his section, and said they
were often "the substance OF things hop