The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1905-09-28

uEEsGs, WTifES rs Toll
\ Y lows In Coed Roads Mag
azine. Ii has occurred
TO me TO say 10 the
friend OF national aid to- good roads
that | am In receipt Of informal ton
from all parts OF the country Of the
most encouraging character. aud car
rying assurance that the subject has
firmly fixed itself in the minds OF the
people. The sentiment in its favor is
growing stronger all the time. and I
feel more today than ever before that
the movement viii ultimately be sue
cessful.
National aid to good roads. rs a
plain. practical business proposition,
has more meat in IL for the general
welfare than a hundred river and har-
Dor bills or the requirement OF any or
all new territory TO be found between
the rivers and the ends Of the earth.
The entire constitutionality Of the
proposition is now almost universally
admitted, and the necessity for ii in all
parts of the country is SO urgent that
Congress cannot long refuse to recog-
nize it as national obligation.
The continued and continuing force
of the movement, however. must de-
pend upon the people themselves. The
people are sovereign under our sys-
TEN. Here they make and unmake
men. 1t is occurring every day. The
popular will is the commanding force
in a republic like this. The right Of
petition is recognized principle of
our government If the people de-
mand national aid to good roads, ma
tional aid to good roads will come The
man and the hour will arrive together.
There can be no two opinions about
that.
The commercial bodies favorable to
some such legislation as is proposed in
the Brownlow and Latimer bills
should strongly address themselves to
the work. 1t is more important to
them than any other probable public
measure could be. Every trade union,
local board Of trade, farmers organ
ization, and other defined body in the
country should take like action. In
counties throughout tie Union public
meeting should be held and the popu-
lar will expressed in formal memorials
to Congress. 1t is, too, a perfectly le-
Ultimate subject for church and school
authorities to be heard upon. because
church and school interests cannot
thrive as they should thrive in land
of impossible roads.
Railroads are interested, and should
be heard, because good wagon roads
increase the tonnage to be handled by
railroads. Manufacturers of all sorts
of road vehicles, whether horse or
motor, and Of every kind and charac.
ter of farm and other machinery have
much at stake in the success of the
| movement. The stock raisers, fruit
growers and dairy interests are all in
volved, because the wagon roads are
their means Of communication
Lawyers and doctors and the clients OF
| both need to speak for attention
Town and city people who get their
all to eat from the farms have a money
as we'll as social interest in good
roads. The subject is important to
every calling and condition, and when.
ever voice can be raised in it's favor
it should be done. Whenever a news
paper is published it's columns should
be invoked in arousing public senti
ment. No means or method of reach
ing Congressional attention should be
neglected. Let us have a reawaken
ing and thorough shaking up. Con
| greSS will not go ahead of the people
as has been wisely said, but Congress
| will hear and heed the people. Send
| petitions and memorials to each indi
vidual Senator and Representative in
Congress. Write personal letters tC
| them. Make the demand as a right
belonging to the people. Herald il
from the housetops and in the streets
| in the highways and the byways
Make it strong. Make it pointed
| Make it earnest This is movement
of the people: it belongs to the PEG
| pie; the people have a right to be
| heard. Their voice is, as it always
| has been, omnipotent
l know Of no surer way to success
| of the movement for national aid to
| good roads than through agitation.
| know of more effective way to agitate
the subject than that suggested. Those
| who favor national aid can do much
to strengthen it in Congress if they
will, and l have cruedly outlined what
l consider the best method of reach.
| ing the desired end. Let every friend
| of the good roads national aid move
| ment get busy-from the centre clear
| round to the sea.