The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-09-10

lI(sl IGllI be expended in the estab-
lishment Of an improved
public road system in the State, the
expenditure would not be extravagant.
On the other hand, the State could
make no better investment. Such al
appropriation is. of course, out OF the
question. The Legislature is preclud-
ed from making such appropriations.
both by reason of the financial condi-
ton of the State and the laws govern
ing such matters. 1t is, however, with
in the power of the Legislature to ac-
complish in another way result
which. measured in actual dollars and
cents, is equal to such an appropria'
ton. We refer to the bill now pend
ing before the Legislature to emp!o!
the felony convicts Of the State upon
the public reads.
An opportunity Is now presented 10
. utilize the State criminals by working
them upon the public roads Throughout
the State, Systematically and scien-
tifically, so that in 4 few years Georgia.
instead Of being far behihd other
States, will be equal to, II not in &C.
vance Of, any other section OF the
country, Good roads are the arteries
of trade. the avenues Of wealth. Noth'
ing save education contributes so much
to the prosperity. happiness and COM
fort of the citizens. There are Few
things that add as much to the value
of property. What good reason ~
there for refusing to work the crimin-
ais of the State upon the public'roads.
so that the people may receive the
benefit of their labor? Absolutel!
I none. II It be urged that the State
will receive a revenue of $50 or S3oo
per head from each convict by leasing
them. the reply is that 1t Will receive
many times that amount in increased
values. increased taxes, extended bns!-
ness. improved citizenship. and en-
largcd prosperity by employing these
coavicts on the public roads.
Public roads, next to railroads. are
the greatest developers we have. VINO
| can estimate the value Of the Turn
! Dikes of Kentucky, Tennessee and VIZ
! ginia? Convenience to market, to post
offices, schools and churches is what
Is necessary TO make useful and per-
noanent citizens. Good roads furnish
all of these things. The tendency OK
! late years has been for people in the
country to flock towards the towns
: and cities. The reason for this IS oo-
vlous. On account Of the present pub
lie road system of the State, or rather
lack of system, they are unable often
times to market their products, they
have no educational facilities. they are
removed from churches and otherwise
subjected to Inconvenience that peo-
Die in the cities and towns Go not
feel. a good system Of public roads
Will do more TO remove these troubles
and satisfy the farming element.
which, at last, is the backbone OF the
country, than all other influences COM
bired. II the State Of Georgia Will
employ her criminals in the improve
ment of the public roads of the State,
instead Of receiving $500 per head Tor
their services, she will receive many
times that amount in actual increased
values, to say. nothing of the dement's
conferred upon her citizens. which cam
not be estimated in dollars and cents.
Georgia is q reasonably prosperous
State, but she would be tenfold more
PROSPEROUS II by reason Of perfect
system of public roads every foot OF
her territory was accessible TO market
and thereby rendered available for
homes. The criminals Of the State
those who violate the law-can do the
work that is necessary to establish
such a system. The Fielder bill now
pending before the Legislature. it
seems to us, is mcritorious in the high
est degree. The idea OF leasing the
convicts should be entirely eliminated
from consideration, unless made neces-
sary by reason Of inability to utilize
them all on the public roads. If there
should not be q demand at once for al!
Of the convicts, it might be that they
should be temporarily leased until
other provision can be made: but. for
the sake Of humanity, for the sake OF
civilization. for the benefit Of tae cit
izens Of Georgia ard for the good
name of this good old State. of which
we are all proud let us just as quickly
and rs completely as possible blot out
the lease system, which for so many
years has been burning shame and
disgrace to the good name Of Georgia.
Atlanta Journal.