The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1906-01-04


: speaking out In favor OF
81 d the BrownlowLatImerb bin
for National aid 10 high
Du way improvement This IL
more notably true of the newspapers
coming under the head Of the country
press-the great lever OF power in this
country; the maker, shaper and mold
er Of public opinion. the builder Of
public men and the force that can un-
make them in day. II Is not meant
that the city papers are st war with
the measure There are exceptions
that are well understood, but very
many of the dailies of the country have
espoused the cause of good roads. and
others are falling in line. Parrof the
host has crossed the food and part is
crossing now. Tie early-faunted bug
aboo of nstitutionaiIty has been
silenced, and the cry Of paternalIsm.
having nothing 10 rest upon. j. no
longer heard in councils that stand for
reason. There was never any consti-
tutionai barrier to National aid TO high
way improvement The same clause
establishment of postoffices author
ICES the establishment of post-roads.
These two coordinate bestowments
were created for the accomplishment
Of the same great end-that is. the con-
venience and happiness of the people.
But aside from the necessity OF build
ing good highways for the better dis
tribution of the mails through rural
districts, it should be borne in mind
that the agricultural classes. while do
ing more to sustain the credit OF the
Government and the financial strength
| Of its people than all other classes COM
bined. have had the smallest appro-
priations made for their immediate
benefit. The city population have long
been provided, at the expense Of the
Government. with messengers for the
delivery of mail as often as four. six
and eight times per>dat. The shipping
| interests have had the rivers and har.
| bors improved to expedite their bust
| ness. The cities have been provided
| with postoffice buildings of architect
| ural beauty and magnificence. Rail-
roads have had free use Of the credit
| of the Government with immense bod
les of public lands thrown in besides.
Ironmasters have depended upon the
| Government to construct great locks
and dams for facilitating the assem-
bling materials at cheap rates for
making iron. The tariff laws have
been shaped to benefit the manufac-
turers. No sane man objects to the
majority of such appropriations. They
were needed to foster and increase the
commerce Of the nation. But are they
more important to the great mass OF
citizens than good roads through the
country? Such roads cheaper food and
clothing. extend trade. make many
commodities valuable that would be
valueless without them; save time and
| indeed improve the opportunities OF
every citizen, whether he lives in town
Or country. Good roads through the
country would relieve the congestion OF
| populat ton in the great cities. Coun.
| try life, with its moral influences
would be made more and more attract
i've and pleasant. Homes would be
| sought after by thousands who now
live i'll crowded city tenements, and
| vice would be deprived of much of it,
malign influence. In short. through
Government aid in the establishment
Of good roads. every phase and feature
Of business, social and educational Life
would be UNNECESSARILY advanced "