The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-02-22

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY D. 1902.
THE QUESTION OF GOOD ROADS.

ehNb SAOulQ NDiuiuiI4 hitit ~ ibt-
spread interest or cause more intelli-
gent discussion than the subject OF
good roads. At this time of the
year, when the highways Of Virginia
are well nigh impossible, tits no easy
task to construct any manner of
grading necessary for road improve
ments, but discussion of the subject
is in order.
This subject is now attracting a
large share OF public attention in all
parts of the country, and we have
referred TO it editorially on auumber
of occasions. 1t may be- remarked
that there are good roads and good
roads as a result ofefforts in that d.
rection, but theexperience Of the ma
jority Of the people throughout the
Soutl has been chiefly with that class
OF good roads which have been costly
in the making and temporary in du-
ration, inadequate and wholly de
lusive in thepromise improvements
with the compensation and labor
that is bestowed upon the work. or
course this has had a very discour-
aging effect on the people, and natu-
rally so, if the subject has not been
intelligently discussed. Indeed some
have almost reached the point OF
losing faith in the possibility OF sub
stantial improvement. The deplor-
able state of our roads cannot be de-
MED nor can an excuse be given for
their existence.
Virginia seems to be at the present
time on the eve of better days, not
only in commercial and industrial
matters, but also in road improve
ments The old method of man
taking hoe, spade, rake or pitch
fork. and meeting the road overseer
at some given point several times
during the year, and by his efforts in
conjunction with his neighbors seek
ing to make permanent improve
nsnts on the public highways, Is
farce. and no permanent good can
thus be accomplished. We admit
that a temporary Improvement Is
made. but we fail to remember To-
calitv where these antediluvian
methods have ever accomplished per
manent results. This work cannot
beaccomphshed by individual efforts
nor bv thecollective efforts OF few
individuals. 1t must be by systemat-
ic aud scientific plans, with proper
materials under the direction OF men
skilled in road building When
city or corporation officials decideto
improve streets they donotcall upon
the people who reside on those streets
TO come 70 their rescue, bringing with
them whatever utensils they may
have about their homes, but they en-
pIov the most skilled men they can
fnd- and as d result our cities have
rood streets How can we logi-
cally expect the roads OF the country
TO be equally as good by the efforts
OF men unskilled in labor?
Virginia is blessed in having
an abundant natural supply OF
desirable material for the construc-
ton of good roads, and we can but
think that the present bad condition
OF our public highways is largely due
to in difference and neglect on the
part Of the people.
Aside from the standpoinsof pleas
ant travel and the comfort OF the
traveller, we are of the opinion that
every section whose roads are prop
.erly made will soon advance in wealth,
culture. refinement and civilization.
The people Of this State are to be
congratulated on having in the Gov
ernor's chair at this time a man who
is thoroughly in sympathy with this
much needed improvement; and he
seems to be very ambitious to have
his administration marked as the
one to inaugurate a system OF good
roads. 1t is a laudable ambition
and we rejoice that there's seemingly
some hope of the contamination OF
This plan. II during bis administration
the highways OF this Commonwealth
are permanently improved, the people
win have cause for congratulating
themselves on making Andrew Jack
son Montague their Executive In
these days we apparently live too
much in the past, satisfied to go along
IN any old way so long as that way
suits us, and perfectly Indifferent as
to the future. Many OF our houses
are careIessly built and have the APP
nearance OF having been erected Tor
one generation only, and our roads
as q rule to be used only during the
same time. We ought to have an
ambition to build for the future. IL
i true that we do not expect to live
forever, but we ought to plan for
fnfure generations just as our fore
fathers did. That we should plan
for the future, rather than thepresent
Or days gone BY, is a self-evident
npoposition. What better monument
I - r xr.----...-