The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-06-25
~&M@6s5Sc
S6WWD - 8
Dl S1cNlizSp.
s M0MDS3;;S'
X n>@e@H1
GVv
The National Convention.

The National convention.
~ OLONEL !. B. KILLEBREW,
of Tennessee, writing for the
" Manufacturers Record, gives
the following graphic account
Of the great National Convention for
| good roads at st. Louis:
No more successful convention was
ever held in the interest Of any indus
/ trial movement than the good roads
| convention that was held in st. Louis.
In the number and intelligence OF Its
delegates, in its enthusiasm and work
ing capacity, in its unanimity and sim
gleness Of purpose, in the number OF
able speakers and freedom from parti-
san or political influences. 1t was sell
dom If ever equaled.
Two thousand delegates from nearly
every State and Territory in the Union
attended the convention. From the
first day to the last the most dominat-
ing idea was the necessity Of govern
ment aid in the construction of rural
routes-government aid to be condi-
toned upon an equal mount Of local
aid as set forth in the Brownlow bill.
The best evidence. however. was in
| the adoption of the declaration of prin-
| ciples and resolutions on the last day
Of the meeting. There was not a dis
senting voice in that large assemblage.
The declaration Of principles as set
forth asserted that the building OF
good roads in the United States is now
of paramount importance to nationa!
prosperity and commercial supremacy;
that the harmonious cooperation OF
township, county. State and national
governments is needed in furtherance
Of this end; that though b appro-
priations hitherto made by Congress
for the improvement of the rivers and
harbors were beneficent and commend.
| able, vet the time has come when the
agricultural districts should be assist
ed in the matter of building highways,
so that the benefits Of the free mail
delivery may be extended and thus
promote q higher order Of citizenship
and also meet the evcr-growing neces-
sites of the great agricultural inter
ests Of the country, upon which lis
prosperity and growth depend.
The principle Of State and county
cooperation was commended. II II
was more than once emphasized that
it is as much the duty Of the general
government to assist in the building
Of highways as it is to improve the
rivers and harbors.
The resolution favoring national AID
is to be presented to the Congress OF
the United States by 4 committee COM
posed of one member from each State,
to be selected by the secretary OF the
National Good Roads Association.
The building of the Memorial road
from Monticello to the University OF
Virginia in honor Of Thomas Jeffer'
son, who signed the first bill for the
construction of a national highway on
March 90, 1906. was unanimously ap-
proved and Endorsed by the conyen-
ton.
Among the most distinguished speak.
ers at the convention were President
Roosevelt, William j. Bryan, Senator
Latimer. Of South Carolina, and o
ernor Cummins, Of Iowa. Mr.. Roose-
Welt and Mr.. Bryan both spoke OF the
necessity Of building better highways
for the nation, and though neither
| committed himself to the proposition
of advocating government aid. yet the
inference was clear that both would
favor such expenditures. Senator Lat
inner made a strong and unanswerable
argument in favor of government aid.
! There will be 10 more earnest worker
! for good roads in the next Congress
than Senator Latimer.
The President made some good
points. Among other things he said:
1T is the habit of road building that
gives to 4 people permanent greatness.
THE development of the iron road
has been all that one could wish, u
It is mere presumption to consider good
railways as substitutes for good high
ways.
1--WE want to see cities built up but
not at the expense of the country dis
tricts.
"If the winter lean to the average
farmer a long line Of liquid morasses
through which he must painfully force
his team il bent on business, and
through which he must wade OF swim
if bent on pleasure; If an ordinary
rain storm means that the farmers
boy or girl cannot use their bicycles.
you have got to expect that those who
live in the rural districts will not find
farm life attractive.
1--WE should all encourage any check
to the unhealthy flow from the country
to the city"
This movement in favor Of govern
ment aid is gathering strength day by
day.
SUMS Antics at Sunset.
Curious determinations Of the suns