The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1905-01-12
The Mountain Lab0red and Brought
Forth a Mouse.

EDITOR GOLD LEAF-Your disappoint-
ing paragraph reporting the meeting OF
citizens which was held last week to con-
slider ROAD IMPROVEMENT has attracted
no little attention. In both public meet
ings in which this matter was discussed
in the county, 1t was regarded as most
impOrtant-indeed paramount-to con-
slider the permanent improvement OF the
county roads To merely repair the
many roads ramfying through the coun-
ty would be but temporary work, hence
would in the end prove to be the grossest
extravaganza even if but $1,000 was
voted for such expenditure.
So many benefits will be derived from
Permanent Good Roads and so little
benefit would follow working roads
merely for use in summer that it's to be
regretted that the short policy of the few
gentlemen who talked over the matter in
Henderson last week should have pre-
vailed That a majority at that small
talk held in Henderson should decide ito
ask the Legislature for authority to vote
on the question of issuing bonds not ex-
ceeding 500, OOO'' and committee was
appointed to look after the matter show
an amount of Indifference to the question
that is astounding When all adjoining
counties have moved and are moving in
the matter to give the farmers good
| roads to their market towns; an oppor-
tunity to mingle with their neighbors
| during the winter months and perma-
nent good road for the school children OF
| the county, the county of Vance through
| it's spokesmen at a meeting at Henderson
| has decided that the work can be accom-
plished with $2O,OOO-or less.
| With afirst class, wellequipped railroad
right across the street from their residen'
ces in Henderson which they can take at
| convenient hours OF the day, what do
| they know of the necessities of the cOun-
try people?
| The country people are denied the priv.
| ilege of regular mail facilities because Of
| the frequency of rains and the absence Of
bridges. In case of sickness it g q journey
to go in quest of a physician and wheI
he visits q patient in making out his bill
he takes into consideration the almost
impossible roads.
With Permanent Roads. all the heavy
hauling could be done in the winter
months SO that when the spring opens
the horses could draw the plow and b.
fresh for the work $40, 900 might make
few smooth roads leading to Hender
son which would be most enjoyable tt
those whose idle time is in the summer
months when farmers are tending thei
fields and keeping close at home. But thu
mud roads in winter would continue a
time when the farmers market thei
crops. OF course they would have tt
haul their products to their market tow
whether the mud was up to the axle O.
not and when their teams will be up tt
their bellies in mire in crossing the creek
whose fords are bottomless. For 1
county which excels even the mountain
counties of North Carolina in the posses
sion of the very worst roads, we are ask
ed to vote $40, 900 to sprinkle over tn
many roads of the county which vii
only be beneficial during dry season.
The true way and doubtless the man
ner which our delega ties in the Legislator
will proceed, will be to write to and OF
tain the views of intelligent farmers il
, different localities of the county-an
govern their action accordingly. Their
, should be four points in the county de
) cided upon which the roads are to reac
by the shortest line straight as the eagl
, flies, thus shortening the mileage and dt
:, creasing the cost for keeping the road
, up. 1t cannot be expected that tn
newly worked road can reach ever
| man mouse. 0rdncn fOaUS IedulllS
the Permanent Road will soon claim tn
1 attention of those whose homes ar
slightly removed.
: The amount of $50, 900 would be sma
enough to expend on roads in Vanc
county. This would give forty miles a
$3.50 mile, which is the lowest figur
Permanent Roads can be built for. Whe
we consider that Mecklenburg county tn
I pioneer county of Permanent Roads
North Carolina, has over 100 miles will
5 in it's borders, Alamance and Durhal
5 counties are close second to Mecklenbur
! and when one county in Alabama ha
: already spent one million dollars on Pc
!. manent Roads, the county of Montgon
= ery-it's difficult to understand why
) county which has so much to recommen
! it as home and because of the fertilit
l of it's lands should be delegated to tt
-, rear to await the millennium before
' takes steps to improve the condition (
g its people and adding to their prosperit
). and happiness.
; TAX PAYER.