Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1906-02-07

schools until the money is provided
to acquire these needs. Virginia
can not afford to let these schools
languish, because dependent upon
them for education is the largest
part OF our population. No people
can achieve much in any of the
pursuits of life who are not blessed
with the benefits and advantages of
good education. There should also
beln the country more high schools.
where as thorough and splendid
an education can be obtained as in
the cities. No expenditure of
public money can bring greater
benefits than that bestowed upon
our primary schools.
Another matter connected with q
complete system of education is
the formation of travelling and
school libraries. The former of
these furnishes opportunity for
reading and study to the great
public, many of whom are unable
To purchase or procure books. The
latter provides books for the pub
lic schools, thus enabling the pupils
to have well-selected course of
reading. BY frequent change of
Libraries all can have a variety and
the expense incurred in the pur-
chase of books is small.
The aid extended by the State
can only be supplementary to the
work and efforts of the local au-
thorlties. As far as the revenues
and the financial condition of the
State will permit, she should will
lingly and generously aid in the
betterment of the public roads and
highways. But to appropriate
large sums of money on hastily
considered and experimental plans,
with no experienced department
organized for its expenditure.
would be wasteful. productive of
very little good and retard more
than advance the movement for
the Improvement of roads. The
State should first create a depart
ment of roads, equip it with scien-
titic men experienced in road con-
struction and let this department
subsequently submit a practical
and comprehensive plan. The
State could then extend Its aid
with the assurance that its money
would be intelligently spent and
accomplish good results. A de-
partment thus constituted could
constantly be utilized by the coun-
ties; could furnish information
how to construct roads scientifical-
ly and successfully; could supervise
their construction when requested;
could arouse an interest in good
roads throughout the State and in
duce the local authorities to under
take plans of permanent improve
ment. The money annually ex-
pended upon roads in this State, if
scientifically used, would give us
fairly good roads. This depart
ment could furnish the knowledge
and experience, make suggestions
and thus save much of the present
waste.
At once, as far as existing con-
tracts will permit, the convictS in
our penitentiary should be utilized
upon our public roads. Many can
proftably be employed by the
counties in working directly upon
the roads. Others, it seems to me,
could be used with great advantage
in crushing and preparing rock in
quarries located in the different
sections, owned and operated
either by the State or counties.
When the quarries are located on
the railroad | am sure the material
from them could he distributed
where desired very cheaply. If
the State operated the quarries the
material could be furnished the
countries either free or at cost, as
the finances of the State required.
The greatest expense and difficult
ties incident to the permanent i'm
provement or onr roads are the
prOcurements of crushed rock and
material of that kind. | believe
the operation of quarries, as indi-
would furnish this rock cheaply
and abundantly. Besides, in them
the convicts could be easily guar
ded, controlled and successfully
worked. The plan possesses ad-
yantages worthy of consideration
and trial. | hope this session of