Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-06-06
Saturday, June 6, 1903.

He gave the people to understand that
If they would have good roads they
must go down into their pockets and
pay for them. He thought the best
way to do this was by the issue Of
bonds in sufficient amount to allow at
least an average Of $500 for each mile
Of road to be improved. He thought,
however, that there was nothing wrong
in the principle Of government aid to
the public highways, and he announc-
ed 1t as his intention to do what he
could to interest congress along this
line. The people listened to his
speech throughout with close attention
and gave him liberal applause. He
took a hand primary on the question
of voting S mill taxes for the purpose
Of improving the roads and the tax
carried without dissent.
Hon. F. H. Hyatt, of Richland coun-
ty, made the next talk. His remarks
have been summarized by the Rock
Hill Herald, as follows:
He said he had not come to Rock
Hill to make speech, but he was
glad to have an opportunity to have
q little heart -to-heart talk with the
people of York county. He was glad
to observe the great interest shown In
the good roads movement In York.
He then told Of the experience OF
Richland county with good roads and
made most practical talk.
The present law allowing the use OF
q q To-
suit of the agitation in favor Of good
roads.
The work was started In Richland
by the action Of some public spirited
citizens living out In the country Of
fering to pay half the expense OF
convict gang. They started with six
convicts and the work has grown ever
since.
He was q member Of the county
commissioners in Richland when the
first macadamizing outfit was pur-
chased. The people bitterly opposed
the commissioners at first, and went
80 far as to have the grand jury return
an indictment against them. The COM
missioners held on, however, and In g.
short time the people saw the COM
was stopped and the people gave them
solid support.
Soon, however, It was found that the
macadamized roads were too expens-
i've and the commissioners began ex-
perimenting with clay and sand. The
experiment proved success, q sue.
cessful formula was found, and now
Richland has good roads all over the
county that have been built cheap.
Richards roads are talked about all
over the state, and are pointed to- as
examples in publications issued by the
United States government. The cost
has not been excessive, and 1t has in-
creased the value Of all our lands, and
what we have done In Richland you
can do in York.
The last State Good Roads conven-
ton asked the legislature to pass q
bill giving the people Of each county
the right to vote on either bonds or q
special levy for good roads. The bill
was not passed and he wanted the peo-
pie to urge the importance Of the bill
upon the members between now and
next session. We have got to have
better roads in order to improve the
condition Of the people who live on the
farms, for our farms are becoming de-
populated. To get good roads will
cost money, and each man must help
and do his part. South Carolina must
not lag behind, for the good roads
movement is spreading over the coun-
try. New York has appropriated $780,
900, 900 for good roads and the state
Of Pennsylvania four weeks ago ap-
propriated $6.000,000 for the purpose.
In Richland the macadam roads cost
Oh an average Of $4,000 per mile, and
the mixed sand and clay cost from
$500 to $500 per mile. ,'.-'.;..ii- ;s,,s,f'.s
He concluded by driving his argu-
ment home with this question, (Which
is the cheapest, and which Is the cas-
lest to pay, the mud tax or the road
tax?" This point made deep impress
sion.
He interspersed his speech and illus
trated his points with anecdotes and
stories, and made a most entertaining
and instructive speech, that was most
faverably received, and received lib
eral applause as he took his seat.
Senator Tillman followed Mr.. Hyatt.
He too told the crowd that the only
way to get good roads was to pay for
them; but he was very emphatic In,
his opinion that there was no need to
waste any time looking for aid from
the national government. He took is
sue with Senator Latimer as to the plan
the junior senator had proposed, and
seemed intent upon destroying to as
great an extent as possible the good
impression his colleague had made.
Then he gave his attention principally
to politics, explaining at length the
part he had played in making the
house yield to him in his efforts to Sc
cure the claim that South Carolina
had presented against the national
government. He took occasion to
say with reference to Mr.. Latimers
government aid proposition, that II he
should see any opportunity to steal
money from the treasury for the pur-
pose of building South Carolina roads
he would give all the assistance he
could. The last part Of the senator's
remarks were received with applause
by his admirers, and in silence by 9TH
ers.
Noting the evident unfriendliness of
Senator Tillman, with regard to his
ideas, Senator Latimer felt called up
on to say few words In reply. He
called attention to the fact that Sem
ator Tillman had previously advocated
propositions involving this same prin-
ciple Of government aid to the roads
and he intimated that the senior SEN
ator had now turned against views
that he had formerly entertained him.
self.
The most carefully considered speech
Of the day probably was that Of Hon.
D. E. Finley representative of the
Fifth congressional district in con-
gress. He has for years appreciated
the advantages to be derived from bet
ter roads in York county, and being
entirely familiar with all the condi-