The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1905-07-15
FARMER ANDPLANTER.
GOOD ROADS MOVEMENT.
A Matter That Every Farmer In
the sunny south In In
terested In.


studious man can persuade himself
that government aid to good roads Is
not a national necessity. affecting all
sections of the country and all classes,
and therefore demanded as good pub
lie policy. Many OF the very foremost
men of the country have declared In |
its favor, and the feeling is constantly |
growing that it should prevail. or
course, here and there, We find 1t OPP
posed by specious argument and
strained interpretations of the consti-
tuition, but this opposition can not
stand in the face of the practice Of the
government in road building many
years ago, and at this day, in Porto
Rico, where we have constructed more
highways in the past five years than
did the Spaniards in four hundred
years; and in the Philippines, where
we are building highways every day
in the year. There is more serious
consideration being given to the sub
ject of good roads to-day than any
other that can be named, and as
question fraught with vital concern to
the internal commerce Of the country,
and to its religious, educational and
social advancement, It is sure thing
that the call for national aid will have
to be heard.
1t is not the farmer alone who Is al
fected by bad roads; trade conditions
are disastrously affected wherever bad
roads exist. Good roads are necessary
to every avocation and every interest
The cost of bad roads has been SO
often presented that repetition would
not strengthen argument The main
fact is the clear fact that bad roads
are a curse to the nation and dis
grace to our boasted Americanism
There is necessity for government aio
to better roads, and 1t ought to DC
extended with the least possible delay
In every civilized country butours gov
eminent has fostered improved high
ways. Wherever improved highways
have been built the people are happier
and the country more prosperous. IL
the United States there has been mar
yelous progress Notwithstanding bat
roads. We would have progressed
thousand fold more under an improves
system of highways. A change l
needed here. The common road
should be made adequate to the neces
stiles of the country. There is no spe
cial class in the discussion. 1t is
great economic question, rapping loud
" for recognition. and as all the pee
pie are involved. the government
should step in and cooperate with tn
state in its solution. While man
prominent men are now active in sur
port of the Brownlow-Latimer bills 10
national aid, the people In their pr
mary capacity have a duty to then
selves to perform in this matter. E'
cry citizen knows how to press II
question on his congressman. IN
good roads camp-fres should
lighted in every constituency in II
states. The proposition is strong
congress. Let its friends get to wor
and make 1t stronger by direct con
munication with those we send to r
Aect the public will in Washington.
the people who have made the goverl
ment what 1t is. and upon whom the
rely in every crisis, can not be heal
In the national councils. then u
Caesars Of the day have grown Z
great on public meat, and we sot
shall have fallen upon still evil time
Nv. p. B.. in Progressive Farmer.