The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-04-20

The Go Ahead Farmer-Since this new
road was built I can haul a load of 5000
pounds to MARKET and make two trips in
tho time 1t took me to make one on the
old mud road. Then, too, ] can haul in
wet weather, when l can't pillow.
His Horses-1t is just play TO haul this
hre!
era, sketchbook, u or rod, is deter
mined by the condition of the public
roads. And no one denies today that
the consideration OF recreation, espe-
| cially Of those Wholesome outings
which fine roads promote and bring
within the reach Of men of moderate
means, Is among the most important
nay. most vital-to-the general welfare.
Yet, again, leaving the question Of
mere recreation, as we leave that of
mere commercial gain, we still meet
countless sound arguments that war
rant expenditures ON our highways.
There Is the matter Of rural mail de-
livery, which affects In Its turn not
only the contentment, but the intelli-
gence, Of agricultural populations.
Quite as intimately related and yet
more vital Is the matter Of country
schools, whose upbuilding and growth
must depend upon their accessibility to
pupils in sufficient numbers. CONNER
oial ends lose their significance for tho
moment when these two points are un
der consideration.
Rejecting upon the considerations
enumerated, as we'll as upon others
presenting themselves, one is readily
convinced that the good roads move
ment, rs 1t has now come to be called,
cannot too speedily or too vigorously
sweep across the entire country. But
most especially should every corner of
the agricultural south and west be
ready to welcome and promote 1t.
A notable measure In connection with
this revolution is the utilization Of con-
Wet labor upon road building and i'm
proyement in fact, the confirming of
that labor entirely to such public works.
This experiment is being tried Just
now with county convlcts in various
sections Of several southern states, and
excellent results are shown where the
measure is carried out with due intel
ligence apd care, the supervisors Of
such labor being chosen for their prac-
teal acquaintance with the scientific
| PiihSipiCc VI lOuu WoIhllB ulu Iuuh-
ing.
The county Of Fulton, in the state of
Georgia, may be taken fairly to repre-
sent the recent progress made in road
building in the south, with the uti.liza-
ton of convict labor in a way that
does not compete with private effort
and yet keeps the convicts in robust
physical condition, at wholesome occu-
patton, where they can somewhat serve
the commonwealth and be least bur-
densome to 1t.
Half q dozen years ago there was not
q five mile stretch of really good road
in this county, for 1t lies In a broken
II hilly region. Today you can take
tai city in every direction and follow
any Of them FIVE, ten and even fifteen
miles beyond municipal limits, bowling
pleasantly along over comparatively
level ebert roads, where all heavy
grades have been cut down and de-
p%ressions filed, thus rendering the
driving that was lately dangerous now
safe and exhilarating.
While h cost Of constructing Full
toms new highways has been immense,
1t is compensated for in the increased
volume of taxable values on property
touched by these roads. Pleasant drive
ways from the handsome country man
sions now springing up in great num-
bers from a dozen to twenty miles out
of the city connect with the main
roads or lead to little way stations OH
the local railroads and trolley lines
that multiply as the fine and perma-
nent country highways create an in
creasing demand for such accessories.
Can n better investment of county
funds be suggested than Fulton and
other counties pursuing q similar plan
have made In the past five years?