The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-08-08
GOOD Roads.

1t IS a matter of congrc tuiation that
the people of our state have already
passed through the stage of education
roads and tle desirability of having
them in every locality. Probably no
person within our borCers now would
for a m ccnlend that better puh-
lie roads fail 10 promote every phs3e
of human happiness, and that the de
gree of happiness thereby attained is
measured by the state of perfection to
which our public highways are i'm
proved. 1t is therefore useless to en-
lploy arguments upon that part of the
controversy, because ii has unmistak-
ably been settled in the minds of the
citizens of North Carolina. Their pres
sent great interest in public road build
ing and the desire manifested in all
portions of the state for information
upon the subject, evidence their de-
termination to e the benefits of good
roads which past experience has
brought to the more wealthy and pro-
gressive centers Of civilization.
Having settled this most important
fact in the progress of the campaign
for better roads, our people are now
confronted with the probably more diff
ficult problem of determining the wisest
and most practicable manner or arriv-
ing at a system Of road building which
will be suitable 10 our conditions as a
people n our progress as a state. The
Imost reliable and experienced road
builders agree with one accord that a
crushed stone Tor macadam) road is
the most economical in the end and the
most satisfactory at all times, and yet
the great cost OF construction will pre-
went a large majority of our counties
from attempting this method at pres
lent. Gravel roads are less expensive
and relatively less durable, while earth
roads or common dirt roads are the
cheapest and naturally the least salts
factory. However, in the progress
which our people are to make in road
improvement, there must be a gradual
improvement from the least expensive
roads to a system which will be sub
stantial and which the public sentiment
will demand as the resources of our
communities will allow.
But we must not lose sight of the
fact that earth roads or common dirt
roads can be brought to a high degree
or perfection and be made to yield sur
lprisingly satisfactory results if proper
Icare n entl are given to their
location, drainage and repair. "A child
must crawl berUle it can learn to
walk seems to apply with some force
TO the present road SITUATION In North
Carolina. While, of course, some Of
our Weather counties are spending
thousands Of dollars yearly for build
in and maintaining public roads and
are past masters in the art of road
building, yet the infection has not be-
come general IN the state, and out OF
our 81 counties, this intelligent modern
road improvement is carried on iii
probably not mole than a dozen sec
tons. A persons mas only to visit Ashe-
vile, or Winston, or Charlotte, or Raj
leigh, or Wilmington to discover tina
in any section OF North Carolina. from
the lowlands bordering the ocean.
through the more elevated middle sec
ton, to the rugged, mountainous coun-
ties, road improvement to a high state
of perfection is possible. and even prof
liable. He will also be impressed with
the fact that improved highways n
increasing prosperity go han IN hand:
they are twin brothers and are not TO
be separated: to some extend each is
the cause and each is the effect.
The North Carolina Good Roads
Association recently formed at Raleigh,
has undertaken with earnestness this
campaign of education for better pub
lie roads in the state, and has for its
object the spread of intelligent infor-
nation regarding every feature OF pub
lie road Improvement, especially the
methods 10 be employed in different To-
l~calities which viii yield the most salts
factory result.