Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1903-05-20
Good Roads Convention In ST. Louis.

held in the interest of any industrial
movement than the Good Roads Conven-
tion that was held i'm ST. Louis from April
9th 20 goth, inclusive. In the number
and Intelligence Of its delegates, in its
enthusiasm and working capacity, In its
upaDimity and sipgleness OF purpose, In
the number OF able speakers and freedom
from partisan or political influences, IL
was seldom II 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 dominating idea
| was the necessity of government aid In
the construction Of rural routes--govern-
ment aid to be conditioned upon an equal
Brownlow bill All the speakers, with
the exception of one or two, dwelt upon
this idea, and the laundering applause
that followed each speaker left no room
for doubt rs to the sentiment of the con-
| vention on this point. No less convinc-
ing was the ominous silence or courteous
frigidity that followed the speakers that
did not give their full support to this pre-
dominating idea.
The best evidence, however, was in the
adoption of the declaration of principles
and resolutions on the last day of the
meeting. There was not dissenting
voice in hat large assemblage. The dec
laration of principles as set forth asserted
that the building of good roads in the
United States is now of paramount i'm
portance to national prosperity and COM
mercial supremacy; that the harmonious
CO operation of township, county, State
and national governments is needed in
furtherauce of this end; that though the
appropriations hitherto made by Con-
gress for the Improvement of the rivers
and harbors were beneficent and COM
mendable, yet the time has come when
the agricultural districts should be as
sisted in the matter of building of high
ways, SO that the benefits of the free
mail delivery may be extended and thus
promote q higher order of citizenship
and also meet the ever-growing necessi-
ties of the great agricultural interests of
the country, upon which its prosperity
and growth depend.
The establishment throughout the
United States of complete and perfect
organization for this purpose was recon-
mended, and the delegates assembled
were made representatives of the national
organization of the Good Roads Associa-
tion to carry forward this local organiza-
ton. The work of the office of the pub
lic-road inquiries was endorsed, and the
sense of the convention was that it's op-
pOrtnnities should be enlarged and its
usefulness extended by larger appro-
priation.
The principle of State and county CO.
operation was commended, and it was
more than once emphasized that it is as
much the duty of the General Govern
ment to assist in the building of high
ways 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 committee composed
of one member from each s. tie, 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 Jefferson, who signed the first
bill for the construction of national
mously approved and endorsed by the
convention.
Among the most distinguished speak
ers at the convention were President
Roosevelt, VIM. j. Bryan, Senator Lati-
NOR, Of South Carolina, and Governor
Cummins, of Iowa. Mr.. Roosevelt and
Mr.. Bryan both spoke of the necessity of
and though neither committed himself to
the proposition of advocating govern
ment aid, yet the inference was clear
that both would favor such expenditures
Senator Latimer made a strong, earnest
and unanswerable argument in favor of
government aid. His words fell upon a
highly-appreciative audience, and the
walls of Odean Hall resounded with ac-
clamations at intervals throughout his
address, and at it's close the applause
continued for several minutes. There
will be no more earnest worker for good
roads in the next Congress than Senator
Latimer.
The speech of Governor Cummins was
disappointing to the Iowa delegates.
Without an exception they were in favor
of national aid, but Governor Cummins,
while not opposing such Congressional
appropriations, thought the wisdom of
such policy at least problematical and
its propriety doubtful.
The President made some good points,
Among other things, he said:
ut is the habit of road building that
gives to a people permanent greatness.
"The development of the iron road has
been all that one could wish, but it is
mere presumption to consider good rail-
ways as substitutes for good highways.
1--WE want to see cities built up, but
not at the expense of the country dis
tricts.
IF the winter means to the average
farmer long line of liquid morasses
through which he must painfully force
his team If bent on business, and through
which he must wade or swim if bent on
piOdoulc, IL au ololuoIy IdiuStOTHn iuodIS
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.
"WC should all encourage any check to
the unhealthy flow from the country to
the CITY,"
This movement in favor of government
aid is gathering strength day by day. It
will reach such proportions by the meet
ing of the next Congress that no Con-
gresham, who has any regard for his
own popularity, will be able to resist it,
Several conversions occurred during this
national convention. Several who came
prepared to resist the movement were
astonished at the depth and unanimity of
sentiment among the delegates of all
political parties. The impulse is gather
ing strength, and he who would not be
swept away must move with it.
When the proposition for government
cooperation in the building Of highways
was first broached its wisdom only
touched few minds that rose high above
others in economic thought. But with
the movement Of time its wise provis-
ions we're caught and reflected from the
lowly hills and deep valleys of thought
until now the whole country is bright
ened with tho beneficenco of it's purposes,
except in the case of few politicians
who are 80 wrapt in the obscuration of
the fogs of their own greatness, or it
may be vanity, that no light. however
bright, is able to pierce the profound
darkness of their prejudiced minds.-J.
Il. Killebrew, in Manufacturers Record.
OA9ToREA
1ha Vial Va, H..