The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-23
EetterS to tbe Gdftcr
Good Roads and the Surplus.

Editor The Advertiser:
 I notice that the Governor is threat ening to call a special session of the Legislature to dispose of the surplus now in the State Treasury, and that he tn inks 1t should go to the public schools. do not agree with that idea favor good schools and plenty of them, but our schools are already provided for in a measure and the appropriation has been recently increased while there are some other things upon which the welfare and prosperity of our State de- pend, which are receiving no consider ation at the hands of our State govern ment.
 The permanent improvement of the public roads of our State is q matter which not only should command the at- tention of our law makers but is one. the neglect of which should cause the people to hold them answerable for a failure to do their duty.
 The State of New York has taken the ao of Bonds the S eaact M amonnt o which have not before me, the pro- ceeds of which Is to be used In the inn provement of the public roads of that State, and while am opposed to bond Issues. think Alabama should awake to the spirit of progress in the march of civilization and at least do what she can without issuing any bonds.
 Some of the counties in Alabama are making an effort 10 improve their roads and without exception, so far as I know, the result has been an increase
 
 county property. If the State will sup plement what the counties are doing and offers its aid as an lnducement to other counties to do likewise, great re- suits will follow; white people will be induced to return to the country, agri- cultural method will be improved, bet follow and greater benefits come than from any other source to which the same amount of money could be ap- propriated.
 ha in, ha "a fa ury. as I understand 1t, is largely the result of convict labor. There have been numerous efforts by the several counties of Alabama to work convicts on the public roads, but In nearly every case the effort has been disastrous, as the work done by them cost great Even now. when the State is making SO much profit out of it's convicts, the county coonvicts are. as rule. unprotit- able: and So,,y my prSposit,ion, Is that the (State and county) and work them and after the payment of all expenses. the surplus to he devoted to the permanent lmprovementIo the public roads of the State, no county to receive more than Is expended out of the county treasury for the same purpose
 One result of this would be an in crease in property values several fold in many counties, and in the increase in the Income of the state resulting, the schools as well as all other things de- pending for support upon tax9 tion would receive perpetual benefits far In excess of that which would result from a direct appropriation of our surplus to the schools. It would require the ser vices of one much more eloquent than myself to properly present the many real benefits which the people of our State would receive If my suggestion should be adopted. To those who would carry out this suggestion. the good roads of our State would stand as a monument and history would write them down as being henefactors to the people. indeed. Respectfully.
 H. T. Benton