Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1903-07-11

Scripture Authority for their Mis-
sion.
There was very encouraging at
tendance at the good roads conven-
ton In Commencement hall Friday
night, a great many ladies being pres
ent In spite of the Sultry weather.
Hon. Geo. c. Sturgiss who has been
chosen president of the first good
roads association 10 the state presided
Two musical numbers were the attrac-
ton at the opening Of the session.
Mr.. Anton Kaspar played violin
solo, and was heartily encored. Mr..
Wrightson sang the Stein song and
had to respond to an encore.
The many visitors were charmed
with the representatives OF the State
University Music School,
Hon. B. B. Dovenor Of Wheeling
was introduced as one was more IA
miliar with building fences than
roads. Mr.. Doyenor advocated issu
ing bonds for road improvement, say
ing that increase in values Of taxable
property would enable Us to pay off
the bonds without any increase in the
tax rate, If the bonds are made to run
20 years. And he said they should
run 20 years, SO that people who come
after us can help pay for the good
roads they will get to use.
Mr.. M. O. Elbridge who was to have
given an illustrated lecture having
sent a telegram that he could not be
here, Mr.. Chas. T. Harrison, road ex-
pert, who has been in charge Of the
model road construction here was in
troduced for a talk on practical road
construction Mr.. Harrison said he
is a road builder instead OF talker,
but he gave very entertaining illus
trated talk.
He said he is a missionary in the
good roads cause and quoted scripture
authority for his mission, citing two
references, where it said the crooked
ways shall be made straight, the val
leys filled up, the hills pulled down,
and the rough places made smooth.
When he declared that the govern
ment road men are here to teach the
people to mend their ways, some one
suggested that it was highways he
meant, to which the speaker assented.
Mr.. Harrison showed by stereopti-
can pictures, and explained in very
lucid manner, the way roads should
be constructed. The illustrations
were from the good and bad sections
on Keck's Hill. The photographs
were taken and slides made by Mr.. w,
e. Rumsey of the Experiment Station.
They were very fine ones, showing up
well the sections of model road recent
ly completed.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session of the Good
Roads Convention was productive ofre-
suits. The committee on permanent
organization made its report, and reco-
mended the election of the following
officers; President, Hon. Geo. G, Stur-
giss; Secretary, Hon. Jas, III. Stewart;
Treasurer, Prof. Thos, e. Hodges and
five presidents, to be named by
the members present from the five
congressional districts These nomi-
nations were endorsed by the conyen-
ton, and the officers declared elected.
Mr. Sturgiss. took the chair and
made one of 0his Enthusiastically
strong logical convincing speeches,
going straight to the point, and show
ing thorough familiarity with the sub
ject ia hand. His remarks are worthy
of preservation, and che NEW DoMIN-
ION regrets that they cannot be pub
lished in full at this time for lack OF
In 1nc1nn ho in
Martin Dodge, Director of the Office
of Road Inquiries, United States
Government, who spoke in the sub
ject of good roads,.at some length.
Articles Of Association were drawn
up and submitted by the Committee,
and the West Virginia Good Roads
Association was permanently organ
zed with headquarters here,
MORNING SESSION.
The feature of this mornings session
Of the convention, was a speech by
Hon. John B. Killebrew, Of Tennessee
1t was notable effort from any stand
point, and as an argument for road
Improvement lacked nothing. The
speaker was roundlY applauded. Aftel
be had finished, Director Stewart made
motion that all the formal addresse:
be printed In a bulletin TO be ISSUED
from the West Virginia Agriculture
Experiment Station, This bulletin
will deal with the good roads conyen
tion ln detail, and will form one o
the best pieces or literature on The
subject ever printed. All tae pro
ceedings have been recorded in detail
by stenographer, and will be elabo
rated for publication.
At the close OF the meeting, Hon
M. 2. Meats, speaker OF the Hous,
offered set OF ringing resolutions
expressive Of the purpose, aims ant
sentiments Of the Convention. Thes
were unanimously adopted, and viii
form part of the good roads bulle
tin.
SenatorsN. B. Scott had been callet
upon several times during the conven
tion and had spoken briefly. Thi
morning, he delivered a formal address
on the subject. 1t was one of th
best during the whole convention
Coming from d man in the highes
branch Of the United States govern
ment, itsaugnrs well for the cause 0
good roads INVEST Virginia.
At three o'clock this afternoon
ahonf AZ of the visitcre nil 4 IT. -