The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1903-09-25
IMPROVEMENT OF ROADS.
Gen. Nelson A. Miles Says 1t Marks
Line Between Barbarism and
Civilization.

The recent retirement of Gen. Miles
after long and illustrious career, and
the more recent mention of his name
as candidate for political honors, gives
especial interest to his public utter
ances. The most important made by
the general recently was one on good
roads and national greatness delivered
at the time of the dedication of the st.
Louis exposition. Among other things
he said:
Il know of no one element of civiliza-
ton In our country that has been more
neglected than the improvement of our
roads; yet this is the element that
marks the line between barbarism and
civilization in any country.
The founders of our government
strongly advocated the necessity of
opening up and improving the means of
internal communication. The immor-
tai Washington retired from the pomp
and circumstance of glorious war to
occupy the honorable position of a
sovereign citizen, and while conducting
the affairs of his plantation was presi-
dent OF a transportation company. The
author of the declaration of independ-
ence, the founder of one of our great
universities, and the eminent statesman
who gave to us this vast empire west
OF the Mississippi, was right when he
said, in letter addressed to Humboldt:
1T is more remunerative, splendid and
noble for the people to spend money
on canals and roads that will build and
promote social intercourse and CONNER
cial facilities than to expend 1t on armies
and navies.' He was right again when
he said, in a letter to James Ross: 4
experience great satisfaction in seeing
my country proceed to facilitate inter-
communications of several parts by
opening rivers, canals and roads. How
much more rational is this disposition
Of public money than that of waging
war!'
During the past hundred years the
people of this country have devoted
more capital, industry and enterprise to
the construction of great commercial
railways than have the people of any
other country.
Our government has expended more
than $40 ,000, 900 for the improvement
Of our harbors and waterways. If such
expenditures of the national treasure
have been made in the past for the de-
velopment Of railroads and waterways,
is it not now most appropriate that the
improvement Of our roads should receive
national attention and government aid ?
amy measure that brings to the homes
of the American people the daily news
of the world, that gives the sovereign
citizen the truth concerning the affairs
Of his own country, that affords him a
knowledge Of the conditions and neces-
stiles of his own people, enables him
to discharge his duties of citizenship,
benefits the entire country and gives
strength and character to the nation.
1.-THE wealth of the nation comes pri-
marily from the ground. The factory
and foundry utilize the products of the
soil and mine. AS agriculture is our
principal industry, so the great mass
Of our rural people are our main de-
pendence; their patriotism, their pub
lie spirit, their welfare must ever be the
salvation and glory of our republic.
Therefore every measure, whether by
the national government. the state,
county or municipal authorities, that can
promote their welfare should be earnest
ly advocated"