The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-27
MONTGOMERY COUNTY ROADS,
And Particularly Those In the South
 End.
Mt. Carmel. Ala.


 Mt. Carmel, Ala, March 25, 1905.
 Editor The Advertiser:
 We had hoped not to ask for more or your valuable space for discussion of days another article from one of your townsmen on the Pettus Road in which some statements are so at variance from the true status of affairs from more to reply. If the author of the article desires fair and dispassionate discussion of the merits of the direr- ent roads to engage the attention or deal plainly and candidly with his sub ject, in a manner tasteful to the pub lie, adducing facts to back up his con- tentions rather than an indulgence in such characteristic harangues and in trigues. If the Board by majority of three have failed to adopt your plans and specifications in toto, and has dared to spend some little Of the peoples money on roads most In need of improvement, and that will yield to the people of the county the greatest possible returns for the amount ex- pended why marvel ye?
 Yes. you have had a good deal to say in the building of some of the roads in our county in the last few years. and large share of the expen- ditureS being on the road leading your way, you kindly like 1t. You want to continue to direct the Board in their deliberations along the line of road building and since you failed signally in this role recently, you have resorted to your present tactics of vttuperation. We are glad you mentioned that great and good man whose memory we all cherish. Colonel Gilchrist. No one questioned the wisdom of his views on road building in this county. He believed and worked for the building munities of the county where the peo- ple are without railroad facilities. He contended in his time that the exten- sion of the Mobile Road to the Pettus Road, thence the Pettus Road to the Crenshaw County line, and the build ing of the Carter Hill Road to the county line near Pine Level, would do more good for Montgomery than any he was right. These two routes drain into our city a vast territory between the l.. and N. Railroad and the A. C. |. Road on the one hand from Highland Home, Panola and all of North Cren- shaw County and Sandy Ridge, Hick- ory Grove and other points throughout east Lowndes from which number or public roads converge to form the Pet tral Railroad and the A. C.. L.. on the other hand as far as Pine Level, orion and other points between these rail- roads
 These roads are the means of ent- rance into our city of hosts of people from these fertile sections who In win ter can no more reach the railroads than the city over bad roads. On thls account Gmpassible roads) there Is want of production of tons upon tons of farm produce which otherwise would be and which Is much needed to make our county and city as progressive as should be. Were these two great arte- ries completed our city's trade would be increased by thousands Of dollars within our own borders and the peo- pie of these more unfortunate districts made infinitely more happy, intelligent and prosperous Those farmers along the railroads can ship their corn, cot ton, hay oats, fruits and other pro duce at any time of the year regard less of the condition of our public highways and when these commodities are available for market And they can ship their produce and receive their supplies by freight at any time or the year where they are more than tWen- ty-fiVe miles from the city, as at Gra- dy. LaPine, Bradlyton, etc, cheaper than they can feed their teams to haul it. We who are cut or from the rall- roads and likewise the city in winter by almost impossible swamps and roads need not produce more of some commodities than Is required TOT use In the family, because we cant get them to market when they should De mar keted The building of good road right alongside of railroad because 1t is cheap is no argument at all Tn its favor, save in the eyes or those who live along the railroads VT whose m terests lie largely along railroads. One mile of good road in thickly popu- lated section remote or inconvenient to railroad Is worth more to the coun- ty in the way of building up our coun- ty and city as a progressive whole than five miles along by the railroad track. Whoever heard of wagon or other vehicle coming from Rutlege or Luverne to Montgomery on the Rocky Mount road from Highland Home through Strata since the railroad was cry know where the wagons cfme from, therefore it is little wonder they fail to rally to your support as You think they should to induce the Board to spend their tax money for the con struction of roads right along by the railroads. He says an offieer of a gov