St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1902-03-08
THE ROAD QUESTION.
Scientific Men Are Now Engaged in
Making It Clear.
What the Departne emit of Agriculture
Ii Doing to Aid the People In
the Construction of Solid
Highways.
Especial Washington Letter.

are as markedly directed as are
the currents of the air and ocean.
Order is the first law of the universe.
All things are planned. Moses, Aaron,
Caesar, Scion, Lincoln, Mckinley, all
soldiers and statesmen of history,
were conceived and born years in adj
vance of the time when they should
play their part upon the stage of the
world.
That water may be turned into wine,
and the miracle be performed before
our very eyes, the rains descend in
the springtime percolate the earth,
ascend the roots, stalks, stamen and
pistils, until the grape is formed, and
in the autumn time we see the water
of springtime turned into wine. The
invisible forces delicately and perfect
~ manipulate the water, the earth and
the vine, and they do it all with abso-
lutte precision and perfection.
Thirty years before the war between
the states, otherwise known as the
war of the rebellion, Ericsson was
born; so that when it became time
for the revolution of naval warfare
the man was on this earth with brain
already prepared to evolve the IRON
clad monitor with revolving turret;
the proper kind of battleship, built at
the proper time, and steaming the wa
tiers of Hampton Roads at the very
moment when the presence of such
vessel was necessary to turn the tide
of human affairs. for the making of
the fulfillment of Webster's words in
behalf of union "now and forever, one
and insepara ble."
With the development of the intelli-
gence of the inha bitants of the world
came steam, and then electricity, and
now wireless telegraphy for tran smit-
ting intelligence across the watery
wastes is disclosed. All of the wonders
of the world are disclosed gradually,
just as they are needed and not too
soon. The businesses of nature go
hand in hand for mutual helpfulness
to mankind. Railroads in the eight
eenth century would have been too
soon for the advancement of the cause
of universal liberty. Railroads would
have been successfully used against the
colonial armies, and the stories of
Saratoga and Yorktown would have
been different.
During the past quarter of cen
fury the minds of the people of this
country have been more and more
dwelling upon the subject of good
roads, and the time is now at hand
for the accomplishment of that idea.
Wherever the armies of ancient Rome
went in their conquering career they
built good roads, some of them to-day
being in existence as monuments of
the enterprise of the sturdy progeni-
tors of the present enfeebled and vi
cious race fourishing in the same at
mosphere and upon the same soil
where Cicero, Pompey, Livy and many
other of earth's greatest men thrived.
For the proper transmission of let
ters the development of rapid railway
mail service became necessary with the
growth and expansion of the republic.
Now that the farmers are demanding
and receiving their mail by new
system, the rural free delivery, the ne
cessity of good roads is increased; and
the idea which has been spreading for
q quarter of century is becoming an
actually. The men for the work were
born many years ago, and they are
now in the harness jus: as it was in
tended that they should be.
give years ago I began the study
Of systematic road making says the
secretary of agriculture. "That was
before the idea of rural free deliv-
cry was entertained, excepting by
very few isolated individuals without
any concerted purpose. From various
portions Of the country deceived COM