The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-05-11


Senator Latimer, Of South Carolina has
ct times been criticized for what his crit
les have considered his advocacy of prac
teal means and measures too liberal to
comport with the ideas of democracy
which these critics hold. Because he
loses no opportunity to secure appropria-
tons or other benefits for his state, some
OF the men who were candidates against
him for the United States senatorshp
charged him with being headed toward the
republican camp-the route taken by his
senatorial predecessor. Senator McIau-
rim. That these criticisms had no effect
upon South Carolina democrats was evil
denced by Senator La.:,ner's triumphant
victory IN the demcratic primaries. He
now expects to ne criticized by some peo-
pie for the advanced stand he has taken
In favor of federal aid in building a sys-
TEN Of good roads throughout the coun-
try. but the prospect of criticism has no
terrors for him.
Senator Latimer passed through Atlanta
his return from St Louis, where he
was one of the leading speakers a the
annual convention OF the National Good
Roads Association. He has spent several
days here as the guest of his kinsman,
George NJ Brown. The newspapers of
st Louis, in their accounts OF the Good
Roads convention say that Senator Lati-
mer made of the distinct hits. In
controversy with Governor Cummings, of
Iowa. he is credited with having CLEANED
up that doughty political warrior of the
west; and from all accounts the reception
given the Carolinian was fully as pro-
hot DIV
Welt.
And all on account Of his strong advo-
cacy 81 specific plan for promoting the
good roads movement--a plan which APP
pealed to his audience as both effective
and practical.
Other speakers who had preceded him
had pictured the necessity of better roads
throughout the agricultural sections of
the country. and had painted glowing
word-pictures Of the benefits which would
certainly follow such development There
was not dissenting voice-indeed there
could be none-upon this proposition. But
there was nothing new in It. Every dele
gate to the convention had Ions been
convinced OF the necessity for better
roads and Of the great benefits they would
he TO the localities through which they
pass and to The country at large To be
told these things over again. even by
President Roosevelt. created therefore
only mild enthusiasm; but when the sena-
tor from South Carolina came out boldly
I'm favor Of 4 plan which seemed both
practical and possible the convention
gave him great ovation.
Briefly stated the plan advocated Is
for the federal government to bear one
half the expense Of road building. the
state legsIa ture one-fourth. and the local
county or township to bear the other
one-fourth
The plan is practicable and am sure
{; would bring the best possible results"
said Senator I.atimer in discussing IT,
After 7 had outlined nay ideas to the St
Louis convention. Governor Cummings
undertook to criticize the plan on the
ground that It was paternaIistic, but in
the short time allotted to me for reply.
think shattered his arguments pretty
effectively. Al least the convention seem
I'd TO think so. IT is perhaps natural that
the first impression this suggestion makes
IS that it Is paternallstic to a degree that
would seem to bar democratic support
hut even a short analysis Of It Will CON
vince anybody that 1t is a plan which
should receive the support OF everybody
honestly DESTROYS Of helping the people
nd the country.
II am not disposed TO be 81 narrow
constructionst in politics. I am not one
81 those who are always seeking reasons
for not doing things. We have had men
IN congress from the south who would
not demand their fair share OF appropri-
ations because they were opposed to the
system by which the revenues of the gov
eminent were raised. but f.atlmer IS not
one Of that sort. I do not ask that my
state be given its share, I demand It; and
50 long as I am in public life l shall con
tlnue to demand It.
That. however IS not what started to
say. The good roads movement Is neither
= matter OF & single state nor IS it sec
tional except in so far that the greater
need for road improvement IS In the agrl-
cultural states of the south and west /
favor the setting apart IN the national
asury OF q good roads fund, not to be
used IN indiscriminate road building, but
30 be used in cooperation with the state
and local government on the principle
OF helping those who help themselves
The roads Of the country are the great
highways OF internal commerce. The
federal government has undertaken the
case OF the har30rs and the navigable
rivers because these are highways OF com
1asrce. and has IN the past given most
liberal aid to the construction Of trans
continental railroads. In the same way
& can contribute TO the perfection OF the
country roads upon which a very large
per cent of tho products of the country
have in the first instance TO be hauled