The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-05-04
THE GOOD ROADS CONVEN
TON AT NEW ORLEANS.

Below we give an excellent edlto
rial from the Times. Democrat of the
30th, on the second days doings OF
the Good Roads Convention held in
that city for three days. The i'm.
portance Of the assembling of this
convention must have been wide
spread when we notice that every
parish 10 the State was represented
from one to six delegates, and there
il no doubt that good results will
follow from this meeting. A State
Good Roads Convention was organ
lied and branches will be formed in
every parish, which will go immedi-
ately to work togive more attention
to such an important matter that has
been sadly neglected in the past.
~The Good Roads Convention
openedsits session yesterday al Odd
Fellows Hall; aud the opening was
so suspicious and enthusiastic as to
assure the success of the convention
in arousing the interest OF the peo-
pile of louisiana and securing such
Legislation and other action as will
give us good roads throughout the
State.
The attendance was large, far
larger than expected, there being
some 200 delegates present from
thirty one parishes of Louisiana,
together with a large number of
visitors from Mississippi and Ala
bama, who came to New Orleans for
the purpose of learning all they can
learn here of road building.
1t was not alone in Numbers that
the convention was strong, but in
the character Of the men present.
Few gatherings in the State have
/, brought together larger number of
representative men, leaders of public
opinion; aud the interest shown and
enthusiasm aroused carried the first
days session through. with vim
that promises the best results.
The proceedings opened with ad
dresses OF welcome by Gov. Heard
and Mayor Capdevielle. The Gov
ernor came from Baton Rouge to be
present at the convention, and spoke
earnestly az to the importance of
better roads in Louisiana, and prom.
Used his cordial assistance and CO.
operation in any movement to secure
them--and this, it is needless to say,
IS most encouraging to the road
campaign now inaugurated in Louls-
lana.
President w. III. Moore Of the
National Good Roads Association,
who was largely instrumental in the
good roads train being sent from,
Chicago here, and in the holding Of
the convention, pointed out that
good roads are becoming each year
a more important question to the
American people; and he expressed
the opinion that they would in time
be one of the leading issues in poll
tics, the people requiring men elect
ed to Office to do all in their power
TO secure good roads. Mr.. Moore
has been working earnestly for bet
Ter highways. and the association of
which he is president has accom-
plished much good. He urged the
organization Of a Southern Good
Roads Association to be a part Of
the Nation Association, to arouse
interest 10 this question throughout
the South and to cooperate in the
construction of better highways; and |
he pointed out all that good roads
mean, the saving of millions of dol
lars yearly in transportation to aud |
from market of products and sup
plies, closer intercourse between
neighbors and pleasanter social
life.
Hon. Martin Dodge, head of the
road inquiry bureau of the Agrieul
tural Department, recently created
for the purpose of furnishing infor
nation in road construction and |
similar subjects to all inquirers, |
spoke earnestly in favor of organiza.
ton and co cooperation.
Hon. Andrew Pattnllo, member
of the Canadian Parliament and
president of the Canadian Good |
Roads Association, gave an interest
ing historical account of The move
ment for good roads, and pointed
ont how much had been accomplish.
ed by better highways and their in.
fluence on civilization and develop
ment. He showed how greatly
good roads contributed to the pleas
ure of country life in Europe, as
we'll as TO the wealth sof countries
like France aud England, which |
keep their highways in good order.
The speeches were instructive aud |
interesting, and aroused the enthu
siasm of the delegates, aud seemed |
20 Undue them thoroughly with the
importance of good roads. When
the convention visited the sample
road, constructed by the National
Good Roads ASSOCIATION at Carroll !
ton avenue, and saw the good work |
done there at little cost and without
paving material, the delegates were
able TO see that important and yalu.
able as good reads are, they are not
beyond the revenues of this or any
other community.