The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1902-01-14

poor roads is $76.29." On the basis Of
this calculation the average annual
loss from poor roads is seventyasix
cents per acre. 1t will be seen that
the loss from poor roads would soon
pay for the building Of the good roads
and after replacing the amount paid
for their construction, the good roads
will continue to pay. .. ..tl
OF course, it cannot be expected
that South Carolina should do as
much as some of the States have
done, but any action which may be
taken, looking to the .betterment Of
our roads, will be Of great benefit and
in the long run will actually save
money Most Of the work done by our
Chaingangs upon the present roads is
simply thrown away.
The building Of public highways is
as much of a science as railroad
building, apd in order to build roads
will require money, and in order to
secure money there will have to be
provision for raising it by taxation.
The Good Roads Convention, which
was recently held in GreenVine,
passed = resolutions requesting the
Legislature that each county be
given the privilege to determine by
election the right of such county to
levy tax, not to exceed two and one
half mills on the taxable property OF
such county, if so much be necessary,
in order to build good roads, and that
such counties as desire TO do so be given
authority to issue bonds to construct
and maintain their public highways
and be authorized to issue bonds
upon so deciding by county election,
A resolution was also passed at this
convention requesting the legislature
to enact such laws as will encourage
the use of broad tires, and also that
the County Chaingangs shall be put TO
work exclusively on building good,.
permanent roads. These suggestions
are practical business propositions
and viii work great benefit to the
State if carried out, and recommend 4
that, they be followed. Il
It is most gratifying to note the in
,terest which has lately been taken by
the people of South Carolina on this
subject. Most Of the counties Of the
State are awakening to realization
of the Importance Of the subject AMI
much is being accomplished.
In this connec 1en the work which
has been done and is now being done
by the Southern Railway in this diree-
ton deserves commendat and no
doubt much Of the good which has re-
suited from this awakening is due
partly to its efforts. 81
Any action looking to the better.
ment Of our roads which, IN your
wisdom, you may see fit to take, will
be SO much done toward the promo
ltion of the general prosperity OF the
people. Whatever plan you adopt
should be efficient, economical and
equitable. And that You should adopt
some plan is patent to every thong Mt
ful citizen. 81 Z. & i Z
s5 CHILD LABOR.
In my last message directed your
attention to the Importance Of giving
careful consideration to the question:
of Child Labor in our manufacturing
establishments. With the rapid growth
of manufacturing Industries In oSis
State this has now become a question
that directly concerns the people OF =
South Carolina and problem that
is demanding solution. The solution
should work no injustice upon the
mill owners; nor should the health
and the future happiness and pros;
perity Of the children, who viii In g
few years be citizens and voters, be
neglected. Nothing should be done
that will injure the manufacturing IN
terests, nor retard the progress and
DEVELOPMENT Of South Carolina ID
material growth. e !.
There is no doubt that to keep the
small child confined at labor in the
mills is injurious to the, child, physl-
cally and mentally. Without time or
recreation, play, exercise. sunshine,
school, things so necessary for the
growth and healthy DEVELOPMENT OF
the child body and child mind; notn- I
ing but labor and toll from before
sunrise until after dark, is compelled
by the laws of nature to dwaT the
child mind and the child body, be-
cause it is in direct conflict with the
laws Of nature, and will have It's IN
fluence and effect upon the citizen
ship Of the future.
Even looking at the situation from
a cold business point Of view, 1t is
DGLLeC sLQdL we SuOu4o. A0I A% .NN7a
labor. In good many instances the
mill owners themselves have realized
this fact, and have prohibited child Ia
Dor in their mills Looking to the NJ
ture, they know liz order to have skill
ed labor in the grow UP man and wo-
man, it is necessary that the child OF
the present shall not only not be
dwarfed physically and mentally, By
close confinement ind labor during
the tender years Of youth, but that 1t
shall have all the advantages ofered
by the schools Of the community. IN :
some cases the parents who work IN
the mills are required to sign a scon-
tract to force their children bet8een
certain ages to attend the pubic
schools provided. There are mill towns
in this State which are models IN seV-
erything that goes to make an IDEAL
The mills contribute
largely for the education Of the chill
dren and in some of these communal
ties you will find as good school build
ings as in any Of the larger towns ana
cities. Besides, the mill owners pay
their part Of the school tax, when
goes into the general fund, and the
most pleasant relations exist between