The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-21
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which would prove of benefit to the peo-
Die of the State AS at present expended
the money set aside for good reads is not
used to the best advantage because OF the
need of intelligent administration.
WITH The PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA
SC far as the question OF mS,ans is con-
&C. ned, he believed that those people
ato help themselves are the people pest
f,lped. The National Government VIII
dulibtless undertake the road question
III years 10 come, but at best it would
not be for some years. Meanwhile the
peop,c of Virginia must look after the
matter for themselves. Here again the
Governor emphasized the need OF intel
li:.ent work in consideration with the
matter. So far as the borrowing OF
money by the State is concerned. 1t would
he useless until such scientific admins
tration is secured.
There are three plans, said the Gov
ernor, by which the money needed lor
Eccd roads can be secured: Cd BY
direct levy OF the counties; (0 the issue
o. bonds by the counties; 60 State ala.
He referred to the crowded condltlon or
the Penitentiary, and declared that the
overflow could be lessened by putting the
cenvicts to work on the construction of
roads. or else on the preparation of road
material The point Of view, said the
Governor, should be not the cost Of good
reads, but the cost OF bad roads. The
State cannot stand the cost of the pub
lie highways as they exist at present.
Tie evils arising from the bad roads are
!nany, and a few of them were recited
by the Governor. Bad roads cramp the
raising of crops, since the farmers can
net get them to town through the i'm
p:lssable stretches of mud now called
reads in Virginia. The rural population
is falling off, the people coming to the
cities on account of the bad roads, which
make social life unbearable. Indeed, the
public highways in Virginia are a social
and industrial blockade. The falling off
in the attendance on the country schools
was another noticea Bile result Of the bad
roads.
INCREASE CROPS.
Good roads would increase crops, would
benefit the country people and the cities,
and particularly the latter. The cities
must have good roads: they are abso-
tutely dependent upon them. So far as
the cost of securing these roads is con-
.erned. there isn't a country in America
Or abroad that has ever had to increase
axes to meet the debt caused by appro-
priating money for the Improvement OF
the public highways. In every instance
he increase of value arising from good
roads had so increased the income Of
he State that it was sufficient to meet
he delft without levying taxes.
In conclusion the Governor declared
that the people interested in the good
Dads movement should put themselves
% work, arouse the sentiment of the
lcople of the State and then go after
he Legislature, and it would be COM
oelled to enact favorable laws Great
enthusiasm was excited when the Gov
amor asked the delegates to render it so
hat he would have an opportunity to
sign his name to some good road law for
the people of the Commonwealth.
MAYORS WELCOME.
An address on behalf of the city of
Richmond was delivered by Mayor Rich
ard NJ. Taylor. He said:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen Of the State
Good Roads Convention:
Your coming together in the capito'
city of the State shows that you appre.
ciate the opportunities offered and IA
cnities afforded for the Improvement OF
the public highways. Throughout ths
southern country practical work has bee
shown in this direction. To-day we glad.
ly accept the help given us that wi
show the improvement in road-buildin
that will benefit our entire State NJ,
privilege. however. is to extend a wei.
come to you on behalf of our city Gu,
entire community join with me in thi,
welcome. and feel as though this gath
cring will rebound to our common welfare
The city is open to YOU. our people ar
glad to see you, and when your labors
are over l know You will bear kindl'
remembrance Of US and carry to you,
homes the satisfaction that Richmond
=. {<>o
70 visiting friends
,, THE COUNTY'S WELCOME
On behalf of the county of Henrico, tn
convention was welcomed by Mr.. S. P
WadGill, clerk of the Henrico Count,
Court. Among other highly interesti~s
.hings Mr.. Waddill declared that in th'
work of constructing good roads the con
vict labor Of the State should be EN-
nlored If there be question of tn
employment of this labor in road. buildine
ION an economical nnint of view. there
IAN be no doubt Of its being economi call.
| 'r1ploved in the uuarryine of stone arIf
| rushing of it for the highways of tn.
state The want of this nateral is o.
| IF the chief considerations in nermane-;
! Improvement # the Good Roads Bill
/ IN the Legisla tu-e had been enacted int
aw. said AR Waddill. it would havt
eeen the dawn of q brighter CAV in this
! state, not only III intelligent road-makioy
but it would haze prevented the wastefu
and useless expenditure of much the
IS ROW Contributed for road purposes il
many localities in the State It is &
| aslse of qualification that the aid Of tbs
General Government Is enlisted in thi'
| work and that 1t has awakened to tn.
necessities OF the situation
| Mr. MOoREs ADDRESS.
Tn reply to the welcomes of the roof
-naas train TO the city and county. Colo
! nci w H Moore president of the Ma
! tional Good Roads Association. delivered
an address which aroused the very
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