The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-05-26
Roads and Farm Values.

u bill for the Improvement of
1o< highways and the editorial
comments upon it. 1t is
manifestly true that the public high
ways, like public education, should be
maintained by the State, for the well
fare of the State is largely dependent
upon the intelligence Of its people, and
the ease of communication created by
good roads. Coming as an agreeable
announcement, too, is the fact that the
National Grange, at its recent annual
session, adopted resolutions favoring
the bill. I certainly hope the various
State oranges will follow the Tribune
Farmers suggestions. and adopt strong
resolutions favoring the bill. This Will
have a two-fold effect. 1t will call the
attention of the members Of the order
TO the bill and its many advantages.
drawing out their support, and it will
cause it's favorable consideration by
the members Of Congress.
There is also a great need Of educa-
ton among the people as to the advan-
tages to be secured by good roads.
This lack Of true appreciation Of the
value of good roads to the people Of
the farms. and of the rural communi-
ties. has hindered favorable legislation
in the East. A law recently passed
by the Maine Legislature affordinG
State aid to towns in building perma-
Is hoy hnnn - & ~
tage of by many Of the towns that
would lie much benefited by such
roads. DR.. Jordan once said that we
often heard people say they could not
afford this thing or that thing. but that
he had always noticed that what people
really wanted they could afford to
have. So, as soon as our country peo-
pie really want good roads, there will
eral sums Of money to secure them.
It is not often considered that every
article produced for the markets of the
world, either in its raw form or rs
finished product, is transported over
the public highways. We see reports
Of the enormous earnings Of the rail
ways Of the country and wonder at
them, but if we could see the earnings
of the carriages, Of the materials they
handle. over our country roads care
fully computed and placed alongside OF
them, they would dwindle into insiS-
nificance in comparison.
The value of our farm lands is large
ly dependent upon their nearneSs to
markets or shipping points. and When
ever any time is saved in the transpor-
tation Of their products by the i'm
provement of the highways, they are
placed practically that much nearer the
market.
Indeed. there are deeper, more potent,
reasons for SeneraliZing our system OF
road building and placing it under one
head. The country home, with its
boys and girls, with its purifying and
refining influences. with its means Of
aftording remunerative occupation for
the young. is the standard of excellence
and the bulwark Of safety for our
country. AS our highways are i'm
proved, as the means Of communica-
ton are made better, the country
homes will increase. they will resound
more than ever to the voices Of happy
childhood and the hum Of that creative
industry which is at the foundation Of
all the industrial resources Of the
country. Yes, push along the Brown
low bill. and at the same time set in
motion the ball that shall awaken and
enthuse the people as it goes, so that
when the bill becomes law there
shall be readiness to take full adyan-
tage of its provisions.-B. Walker Ne
Keen, of Freyburg, Me-, in the New
York Tribune.