The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1903-04-23
O.
O. ROAD S.
A Point Of History.

New York Tribune.
No nation has set achieved perma-
nent renown without good roads, or
ever built them and regretted 1t after
wards. No community in possession
of good roads would be willing to sur
render them upon the repayment OF
their cost and maintenance. OF all
the expenditures made by aggregated
bodies or by Government agencies,
while it may not be the least felt, it
produces the greatest good and the
greatest satisfaction to the greatest
number. Everybody uses good roads
the millionaire and the beggar, the
black and the white, the lame and the
blind, women and children-all enjoy
ard participate in the advantages and
blessings of good roads. They are tie
morning star of progress they are the
fountaln-heads of trade and commerce
they are the avenues over which pass
the main agencies for the dlssemlna-
ton of knowledge and the increase OF
intelligence, as we'll as the epjoymen
of eocial intercourse in rural life. They
provide the means for the performance
of public duty, of reaching local mar
kets, CT shopping points on the rail-
ways. They serve more country pee
pc IN the aggregate than the railroads
themselves.
+ The rapid extension of the rural
free dellyery system, now covering
800, 900 square miles and destined in
the near future TO he extended to the
49, ,OO0. 600 people living in the rural
districts, makes good roads necessity.
Why should the United States, thar
bas attained supremacy over all other
! nations in wealth and in world wide
influence in commerce and diplomacy,
hesitate to enter upon a work that VIII
bind its citizens to it with loyalty ex-
ceeding the loyalty Of the people OF
any other nation whatever? Why
hesitate to do that viii. 4 every person
desires to be done in some way? Why
hesitate when good roads are the most
important factors in carrying out the
wise provision for increasing the intel
ligence OF its citizens through rural
free deliversf No other highly civil
lied nation on earth has so many bad
roads as the United States. England,
France, Germany, Spain, Italy-all
have coed roads.
This government belongs to the peo-
pie. They instituted it foraheir own
welfare. They are the rulers. Con-
gres, is bnt one of the agencies they
have created to provide for their wants
and to execute their will. There Is NO
constitutional barrier to the building
of roads. The same clause in the con-
stitution that authorizes the establish
ment of postoftices authorizes the es-
tablishment of post-roads. These two
constitutional bestowments are coor-
dinate branches, created for the ac-
complainant of the same great end ;
that is, the convenience and happiness
of the people. But aside from the ne
cessity of building good highways for
the better distribution of the mails
through rural districts, 1t ehould be
borne in mind that the agricultural
classes, while doing more to sustain
the credit OF the government and the
financial strength of Its people than
all other classes combined, have had
the smallest appropriations made tor
their immediate benefit. The urban
population mas long been provided, at
the expense Of the government, with
messengers for the delivery Of mail.
The shipping interests have had the
harbors and rivers improved to expe.
|dite their business. The cities have
been provided with postofice buildings
the architectural beauty and cost Of
which surpass those OF any other ma
ton. Railroads have made use OF the
credit of the government. Iron mas
, ters hays depended upon the govern
ment to construct great locks and
dams Tor facilitating the assembling o
the materials at cheap rates for making
. iron. The tariff laws have been shapet
to benefit the manufacturers. No SAINT
man objects to the majority OF sucf
, appropriations. Thev are needed t.
foster and increase the commerce o
the nation. But are they more Inn
portant to the great mass OF the citl
) zens than good roads through tn
country Such roads cheapen foo'
and clothing, extend trade, make man.
! commodities valuable that are value
j Hess without them, save time, and, In
. deed, improve the opportunities Q
!. every citizen, whether he lives IN tn
! town or country or Is q sailor on tn
A THOUGHTFUL MAN.
= -. -