The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-04-21

| fOlnQ III the 1nlSeTdUle Gull
II dition Of the highways over
fSIl l@N which the farmer has to
transport the products Of
his energy. 1t is no wonder that the
boys and girls want to leave the farm
and go TO the city when they have to
tramp through mud ankle deep several
| months of the year to and from school
and church. If there is anything that
is calculated to disturb the serenity OF
the human mind it is to travel over
road muds in the winter season VIXEN
| there is danger cf miring down with an
empty wagon every few hundred
fyards.
1t is remarkable that country that
has made such wonderful progress
along so many lines should have given
so little attention to its public roads.
The United States leads the world so
far as agricultural production is con-
cerned. This is attributed largely to
the excellent system Of public educa-
ton and to the progressive spirit and
ambition of the American people. Why
! roads have not received greater con-
sideration is q hard matter to under
| stand, since they are, after all. the
chief highways OF commerce. That
the United States is woefully behind
! in the matter of public road construc-
ton is shown by the fact that France
has built 23.603 miles Of wagon roads
and Italy more than 5000 miles. In
some States the matter has been taken
up seriously, and it is believed that
New York will shortly issue bonds to
the extent of $50OO0,000 for the pur-
pose of improving her public high
ways.
In some sections of the South adj
mirable roads are to be found, but, for
: the most part, road construction is an
unknown art in Tennessee. One Of the
best ways for community to add to
its wealth and productiveness is to
improve its public highways. People
are going to locate where they can
travel back and forth from market
with the greatest ease and comfort.
J uc SOllSll utllOll VI SuDu lOihS 40 NV
Il tax; it is simply an improvement Of
ones property, for the history Of the
movement shows that it has always
! increased the value Of the adjacent
! property The farmers Of the South
are interested in good roads. 1t means
much to every one of them, for they
all have something to take to market
] and if they had good highways to
/ transport it over. tlfey could take it
there in half the time. and the saving
in time and labor effected would be
enormous. because the wear and tear
on the wagon and harness and work
stock would be reduced to minimum.
If the farmer would sit down and con-
slider that he spends about whole day
! to take third of load Of grain to
market. lie would see what an enor-
mouse tax he pays to "King Mud" 1t
is strange how willingly the people
will submit to indirect taxation, and
how strenuously they object to paying
q small direct tax for the development
Of public utilities that will be of the
greatest benefit to them.
The good roads question has assumed
i a National Importance. and bill has
recently been introduced into Congress
to appropriate s24,OOOOO0 to build
demonstration roads in the several
States Of the Union. 1t is proposed to
divide this money on the basis of pop
ulation, except no State shall receive
less than $250,0O0. On this basis. Ten
nessee. for example, would receive
S5S5,000, and in order for the money
to be available, t. would be necessary
for the State to appropriate q similar
! amount. This would give a fund Of
more than S1.OOO,00O for the copstruc-
ton Of public highways In the State
within the next four or five years. and
would enable many miles Of permanent
road to be constructed. 1t is only nee
kind suggested to be built to convince
the people Of its value, and in view of
all that Is to be gained by the con-
struction Of first-class highways. and
the fact that they affect the interests OF
every citizen. the present movement is
to be commended-Southern Agricul
turIst
Unanimous For improvement.
In a recent report State Commis-
sioner Macdonald, Of Connecticut, says
that State is almost unanimous for
| road imnroyement" Since 1895 when