The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1902-08-12
Ins Merala and Je2rs
BUILD GOOD KO
q. .U:,L. Eh!T p.

Just at the present LlIllc I4IS1o 10 Aio
question that is of more vital lmpor-
tance to all the people of this county
and of this State than that of good
roads. From whatever standpoint the
subject is viewed, its Importance re-
mains the same. That we should have
them at whatever cost, all think '1g
people admit.
AS purely business investment they
will pay. Figures from other States
which have built good roads prove this
beyond the shadow of a doubt. '1t has
been estimated that in forty counties in
Indiana where good roads have been
built, the average increase in the SELL
ing price of land, due to existing i'm
proved highways, is S6.48per acre. The
estimated average increase per acre
that would result from improving all
the public roads is $500. The esti-
mated average annual loss, per 100
acres from poor roads, is S76.2S. On the
basis of this calculation the average
annual loss from poor roads is seventy
six cents per acre" This only relates
to the increase in the value of lands,
and does not include the greater saving
in the wear and tear in stock and We
hicles, and says nothing of the pleasure
to be derived.
AS a factor in the mental and moral
and social advancement of community
they are of equal Importance with any
other. For there is little use to have
schools and churches and neighbors un-
less they can be reachedwithout great
inconvenience.
In a discussion of this subject there
is one other thing, and it is not the
least by any means, that should be
taken into consideration. For several
years past there has been a great flow
of population from the rural districts
into the towns and cities, and these
have rapidly builded up at the expense
of the surrounding country. This is an
abnormal condition and cannot but
work harm to our State. When the
farmers of the South are happy and
contented the South is bound to pros
per. When among this class of her
people there is general discomfort, a
widespread belief that they can i'm
prove their condition by moving into
the towns and working in the mills or
following other pursuits, there is dan
ger ahead. Where lies the evil and
what is the remedy? The farmers will
tell you that although they have schools
and churches, there are times when,
owing to the condition of the public
highways, they can be reached only
with the greatest difficulty. They want
their children to have the benefit of q
good education and to grow up under
the influence of the church. Both may
be secured in town, and to town they
come. At certain seasons Of the year
they are almost entirely cut off from a
market, and of course, the loss that is
sustained is heavy. With these incon-
veniences staring them in the face, and
with the belief that they can improve
their condition by moving to town and
working for wages they leave the farm.
What is the result? The farms, OF
course, suffer. The towns for a time
receive new impetus from the new
blood that is infused. But it is not for
long. For the surrounding country is
the towns foundation and when that
suffers the town must eventually suffer
with it.
AS we have shown, the main evil lies
in the condition of the public roads.
With the system of free rural mai
delivery now in use, if having gooc
roads the farmers and all the people Of
the rural districts would be as much ir
touch with the outside world as those
who live in our larger cities. Every
convenience and every advantage that
life can afford would be theirs. There
would be no occasion for discomfort,
and there would be none. All classes
and all trades would feel the effect In
fact, the South can never take the
position she should occupy. until she has
good roads.
Then it is the duty of the county to
build good roads, and to begin the work
at once. In addition to the present
chain gang system and communication tax
we believe that tax of one mill on all
property should be levied for this special
purpose. If this is done the commu-
tation tax should remain at S1.00.
1t is easy to see how this solution
would be wise and just. Atpresent the
corporations are paying practically
nothing for the support of the roads.
Good roads are of as much benefit to
them as to any individual. The town of
Newberry, which pays about one third
of the taxes of the county, pays nothing
for the support of the county roods.
Good roads would be of as much benefit
to the town as to the people who bring
their products here. Whatever benefits
one, as a matter of course, benefits the
other. Then the town should be taxed