The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1904-01-01
GOOD ROADS.

and development in many particu-
lars, but one of the basic necessi-
ties of an advanced civilization is
still good roads-country roads of
the ordinary kind over which far
mers carry their produce to ship
ping points, and on which all travel
and intercommunication of a local
nature is dependent. Nothing adds
more TO the welfare of a community
than good roads, and they are nee
essary to make the railroad and
steamboat lines of proper avail.
A very quiet but persistent move
ment is in progress all over the
country now, having for its object
the Improvement of public roads.
There are organizations for the pur-
pose of promoting the cause, but it
has its chief support from the far
mers of the country whose conven-
fence would be greatly served, and
whose profits would be much in
creased if good roads were general.
The recent farmers convention at
Jackson passed a series of resolu-
lions advocating government aid to
good roads. The resolutions ''em-
phasized the fact" that it is not de-
sired that "the government build
the highways of the country, but
only assist those counties and dis
tricts which will undertake to raise
money for the purpose"
The argument was made that tht
government spends millions of dol
lars annually for the improvement
Of rivers, and has subsidized rail.
roads with grants of public lands,
and that a greater benefit would bt
derived from the improvement OF
the public roads. The establish
ment Of rural mail routes was cited
as another reason why the govern
ment should have an interest il
road improvement. The cOuven
ton adopted this among other reso
buttons:
"Resolved, That we demand OF
our Senators and Representatives H.
Congress that they support any bill
looking to all appropriation of tbs
government funds in aid of The
common roads of the country. be
%lieviDg as we do that these initial
sources of commerce need legisla
tive aid as we'll as that which pass
es over the great rivers and through
the harbors Of the seaboard amt
lakes"
There could be no doubt of the
constitutionality OF the %appropria-
ton of public moneys for this pur-
pose. The government did in ear
ly days undertake the construction
of public highways in various paris
of the country. The general benef
that would result from road i'm
proyement is not to be questioned.
The cities would be benefited ar
much as the country, of course, be
cause facilities for reaching marker
are necessary for building the mar
ket. The good road movement is
in every particular commerdable.
The question of government aid
will encounter opposition from the
sticklers for the Old-time states
idea, who insist not only on
the right of local self government,
but in bearing their own burdens of
improvements. The ques-
ton in it's true aspect is one OF
economy only. If the government
has the money to be used for such
purposes there could be no rational
objection to appropriations for road
But, without regard to the ques-
ton of national aid, the movement
favor of good roads is II that
deserves the greatest encourage
Counties and localities
should not await government aid,
but use to the utmost their own ex-
triton to build good rOads.--Banner.