Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-01-08
Good Roads Convention In Augusta.

From January 20 to 25 inclusive, q
Good Roads Congress will be held in
Augusta, Ga, and earnest efforts are
being made to influence the attendance
on masse of the people in tho numerous
counties surrounding Augusta. , Tho
railroads will put on special rates, and
speakers of national reputation will in
struct the people upon the economic
value of good roads, the roads of the
world, best methods Of construction, tho
legal necessities of this section, etc.
Addresses will be made by Hon. Martin
Dodge, director of the road division of
the United States Department. of Agri-
culture; by NJ. o, Eldridge, assistant
director of the division; w. II. Moore,
president of the National Good Roads
Society; Superintendent Machen, of the
United States FREQ Rural Delivery Sys-
tom; by Governors Candler, of Georgia,
and McSweeney, of South Carolina, and
the State geologists of Georgia, South
Carolina and North Carolina. Several
Of these lectures by exports will be illus
trated Secretary of Agriculture Wilson
has written from Washington that he
will also endeavor to be present. Efforts
arc being made to secure the attendance
of the South Carolina Legislature, which
will be sitting at that time. An invita-
tion has been extended to Admiral
Sohley, who will bo in Georgia at that
time, to be present, and his attendance
will be. secured if possible. Admiral
Dewey has also been invited. 1t is de-
sired to get q great outpouring of the
people to consider the important matter
of public road Improvement
A train of ten to twelve cars Of the
lat, 1T road machinery will be on hand,
in charge of the National Good Roads
Society, and road making and working
will be carried on for the five days under
the direction of that society for the
instruction of tho public. With this
machinery the most rapid, economical
and modern methods of road improve
mont will be shown. The public exer-
discs and addresses will occur on the Esd
and 24th. -
The greatest need of this section Of
tho South is good public roads. In this
particular we arc far behind the ago.
To illustrates: On most of the ordinary
roads of this section only two and three
bales of cotton can bo drawn by two
horses; in tho most improved road SEQ
tions of the United States from ton to
twelve bales Of cotton, or their enpiya-
lent are regularly drawn by two horses.
1t costs tho people in much of the terri.
tory surrounding Augusta from three to
five times what 1t should to haul their
products; from tlroo to five times the
investment in ,stook is required in this
territory asin good road sections to do
the same amount Of hauling.
1t is impossible to expect proper
profits or much development under such
conditions. 1t is a question OF trars-
portation;s transportation being at the
basis Of modern development. aPoople
will not emigrate to the section having
poor transportation facilities; nor can
tho youth reared in sucl q region be
retained. Under tine poor condition of
our public roads, lands have deteriorated
in value In competition with the superior
facilities of transportation Of othor geo
tions. The only way to rcolaim these
values and bring permanent development
Is toprovide public highways equal to
the best in tho country. Tho awakening
of tho public conscience upon this grave
matter olai,9e tho poss efforts of the
most patriotic mon Of tho section,