Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-09-24
IMPROVEMENT OF ROADS
Gen. Nelson A. Miles sayu II Marki
Line Between Barbarian and
Civilization.

The recent retirement Of Gen. Mile,
after a long and illustrious career, and
the more recent mention of his name
as a 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:
81 know ef no one element of civiliza-
ton In our country that has been
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
n circumstance Of glorious war tc
occupy the honorable position of 6
sovereign citizen, and while conducting
the affairs of his plantation was presi
dent of a transportation company. Thu
author of the declaration of independ.
ence, the founder of one of our grea
universities, and the eminent statesman
who gave to us this vast empire wes'
OF the Mississippi, was right when h,
said, In a letter addressed to Humboldt:
IF 10 mora ram I'm orattya cn1onHfH anf
noble for the people to spend money
on canals and roads that will build ant
promote social intercourse and CONNER
cial facilities than to expend it on armie!
and navies.' He was right again wher
he said, in a letter to James Ross: .
experience great satisfaction in seeing
my country proceed to facilitate inter.
communications of several parts b.
opening rivers, canals and roads. How
much more rational is this disposition
of public money than that of wagin,
war!'
During the past hundred years tn,
people of this country have devoted
capital, industry and enterprise tt
the construction of great commercial
railways than have the people of an.
other country.
"Our government has expended NOR
than $40, 000, 900 for the improvement
of our harbors and waterways. If sucl
expenditures of the national treasur
have been made in the past for the de
velopment of railroads and waterways
Is 1t not now most appropriate that tn
improvement of our roads should receiv
national attention and government aid
"Any measure that brings to the home
of the American people the daily new
of the world, that gives the sovereig
citizen the truth concerning the affair
of his own country, that affords him
knowledge of the conditions and neces
stiles of his W people, enables hir
to discharge his duties Of citizenship
benefits the entire country and give
strength and character to the nation.
"The wealth of the nation m pr
marily from the ground. The factor
and foundry utilize the products of tn
soil and mine. AS agriculture is on
principal industry, so the great mas
of our rural people are Il main de
p%endence; their patriotism, their pub
lie spirit, their welfare must ever be tn
salvation and glory of u republic
Therefore every measure. whether b
the national government, the stat,
county or municipal AUTHORITIES, that ca
promote their welfare should be earnes'
ly advocated"