Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-19
Miseella,.eolls 8eaaing.
As TO GOOD ROADS.
Mr.. Latimer Makes 4 Strong Speech
In Senate.


last Friday in support Of his bill pro.
viding for Federal aid in the building
Of better roads:
First. Because the history Of road
building demonstrates that a complete
system Of public roads has never beer
constructed in any country except BY
the aid Of the general government o,
that country, and during the one hun.
dred years Of our national life the
United States has not proven an ex'
ception to this rule.
Second. Because the revenues Of
the government are raised largely up.
on articles consumed by all the people
thereby distributing taxation equally
and as all the people should contribute
to the construction and improvement
of the roads 1t is only by Federal aid
that this can be accomplished
Third. Because 1t Is the duty Of the
Federal government to bear its just
proportion Of the expense for the con-
struction and improvement Of the roads
which 1t uses for the delivery Of the
mails and for military purposes in time
of war, and which are the arteries OF
Interstate commerce.
Fourth. Because better roads are g
national necessity; they closely concern
the general welfare Of the nation, and
are therefore a proper object Of ma
tional aid.
Fifth. Because a surplus Of about
$3.50, 100000 is lying idle in the treas
ury, which belongs to the people and
should be expended for their benefit In
a manner which will accomplish the
greatest good to the largest number
and because the power to borrow mon
ey at low rates Of interest, II 1t be found
necessary to supply the money In this
way, enables the general government
to undertake this improvement with
greater advantage than the states OF
the people.
am convinced that 1t is only by
Federal aid thet we will ever have
good roads uniformly throughout the
country. The government must stim-
ulate and aid the people in the work
It is the history Of road development
in every country. Small sections OF
roads may be built in various sections
but we can never advance in this res
pect in proportion to the needs OF the
people unless we can secure govern
ment aid.
It must be apparent to anyone that
the real cause Of the poor condition OF
our roads is the exemption OF about
two-thirds Of our popuation from any
taxation whatever, for this purpose. II
cannot be said that all the people are
not equally dependent upon them OF
that they would not all reap the bene-
fit of any Improvement made in our
road system. It Is likewise true tha'
the burden Of building and maintain
ing the roads ought to be distributed
equally among all the people. Under
the present system that total burden
falls upon those who are already taxed
to a greater extent, considering their
means, than any other class. They are
not able to raise the money necessary
to improve the roads.
To build an improved road along
modern lines costs from 500 to $40C
per mile where sand and clay are
used, and from $4,000 to $4,000 pei
mile for macadamized roads, depend
ing on the distance the material has
to be brought. have found, after g
careful estimate, that the amount OF
money expended each year under the
present system averages about s12 pei
mile. It Is impossible, with this amour,
of money, to construct or even I'M
prove the public roads. The money
is scarcely sufficient to keep them ir
passable condition. Where is the Lal-
ance Of the money to build improved
roads to come from? 1t must be raised
in two ways:
First. The states must levy a taa
for the purpose on their total wealth
large enough to raise one-half Of the
cost. This tax will range from to IL
mills, according to the taxable wealth
Of the state, and, In my judgment
would have to continue for five years.
Second. The Federal government
ought to appropriate the other half out
Of the general treasury.
The question will naturally be asked:
II the people who are taxed for road
purposes now are not able to be taxed
to any greater extent, how will they
pay the additional tax which will be
necessary to raise the states half OF
the cost Of improved roads? The an
swer Is simple. When the government
has made this appropriation the people
will then be willing to be taxed suffi.
ciently to raise their half. because the
money to do the work, coming not
only from the corporations and cities
of the states, but from the government
will be spent in the local communities
giving employment to labor, teams
and wagons. enhancing the value OF
products, cheapening the cost Of pro-
duction and transportation, raising the
valuation Of land and putting money ir
circulation.
Take, for instance, the farmer who
owns 100 acres of land. valued at $3(
per acre, and who has farm animals
farm implements, and other property
amounting to $1,000, making his tota
taxable property $4,000. Levy mil
tax, as I propose, on the property. ane
it will raise $50. hold that under the
provisions of this bill there are three
ways by which he would make 100 pei
cent and pay his taxes. This farmer
will haul at least SO tons over the road: