West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1905-05-11


leader OF the machine. II is no
necessary TO 20 To the eNttcne view
OF the author of Gulliver in assert
ing, that whoever would make two
ears OF corn or two blades Of grass 10
grow where one grew before would
deserve better OF mankind and do
more essential service than the
whole race OF politicians put toge
ther. But do believe the crops
of grass and grain might be doubled
without passing upon the fitness OF
the politicians pursuit, or falling
into the questionable habit of dis
appointed politicians sneering at
the class aud all it's characteristics.
Good citizenship demands prac-
tical men; the public demands them
the country demands them and our
State especially has need of their
time and talent at this particular
juncture, There is littlc demand at
this time FOR gentlemen who i'm their
relations to the public matters IN.
dulge in high llown sentiment in
stead OF practical common sense.
The orator who plays upon public
passion and fires people with the
ed of his needless eloquence, the
poet thrills the heart OF party with
factional song; the Journalist, who
makes his pen a weapon OF hate and
crushes opposition with ana,hema
and inveclive find little in our mo-
notonous public realities to call
their peculiar powers into action.
1t is true that upon Fourth of July
occasions the average citizen is
happy to have the eagle scream, to
see the banner flying, to have the
martial drum b a I, quicken his
pulses and fill his soul with brave
thoughts OF noble deeds and glory
won. He steps proudly forth, in
his presence, his consciousness, his
air, the sufficient, self.proclaim-
ed autocrat of the Republic.
| have said our State is in urgent
need of practical men. Homely,
substantial, unsentimental questions
are uppermost in our midst. Much
of public prosperity and content
ment del ends upon their prompt
and satisfactory settlement. Such
for example is need OF improvement
in our system Of highways. The
man who could readjust the grades
OF our mountain turnpikes would be
esteemed public benefactor, for
above the man who would elaborate
the categories OF the infinite in every
log cabin IN the State. Our legisla-
turc unconsiously perpetrates a sar-
casm upon the condition of the
roads by continuing as a part OF its
organization, a committee on roads
and internal navigation, as if our
turnpikes under the unbroken domin-
ion of mud and water, were equally
adapted to the uses of the OK cart
and exigencies Of the dug out. Tray
ell through the interior counties on
routes familiar TO many Of us, are
according to the report Of reputable
residents, each particular stone or
boulder between the terminent
points is loose and lying IN the mid
die Of the road is a WEAKNESS to the
flesh; and you will doubtless agree
with me that the man who shall
cause the denominations OF travel TO
disappear, an d intercourse be-
tween the sections, TO be made easy
and certain will have done that
which shall cause many generations
to rise up and call him blessed.
The land owner thinks the highways
should be repaired by labor, the
laborer thinks the property should
bear expenses And after thirty
years Of discussion the controversy
still survives.
Our highways have gone from
bad to worse so far and so fast, in
some quarters that people arc con
fronted with the alternative Of adopt
ing aerial navigation or abandoning
their acquaintance with one another
entirely. ] had a confidential talk
with one Of our legislators and cas-
ually asked him why we poor
fellows could not have a few favors
from our own representatives and
he emphstcally answered, oThere
Are None"
We need not expect any balm
from Gilead unless we send better
| physicians there.
FRANCIS A. DUNN
Will the Journal tell It's readers,
y