The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1906-06-08

fwho has never considered anything
except the increase in taxes, stand
against the word of this honorable
gentleman?
It seems to me that il is almost a
contradiction Of nature to hear of a
farmer opposing the construction of
good roads, when it has been proven
that the increase Of land values alone
more than pays for the roads. IL a
farmer who opposes the plan could see
how twelve bales of cotton are hauled
where two formerly made load; If he
could realize that he could market all
his products In one-third the time;
how in the winter season when prices
are high and man and horse are idle,
he could easily market his produce;
that if he lives several miles from the
town how he could make such hand
some profit of his now almost worth.
less timber; if he would count the
value Of the extra wear and tear of
vehicles and harness caused by bad
roads. surely, if he considers we'll
these facts, he must change his Cpin-
ion and become an advocate OF good
roads without regard to cost.
One Of the heavy items of expense
to the government is caused by bad
roads in the operation of the Free De-
livery Service. 1t is now well-es-
tablished fact that one-half the money
would go as far as the whole amount
expended for this service, if we had
good roads. A rural carrier would be
in good position to discuss the con-
dition Of roads under the present sys-
TEN; but it does not take man who
has Travelled all over the country to
know that the present plan is an en-
tire failure. In this year in the month
of April there was hardly road lead
ing to town but had one or more i'm
passable mudholes in it, graced by
such signs as Danger, !" ''Impassa-
BILE" etc. | myself have seen no few
er than three buggies at one Jime
stuck fast in one mudhple. 1t certain
ly is time to go to work and do away
with such conditions. L hey are
enough to bring blush to the faces
of our people who claim to be progress
sive. When we think that the roads |
of our county are nothing more nor
less than drainage canals, we ought |
to agree that this must be remedied |
some time, and since it must be done,
why not now, and let the present gen.
Grafton enjoy the advantages?
To sum up all, Honorable Judges.
We ask you to consider well all these
offered by the good roads
plan-th freedom from dust in the
summer season, the immense saving
in time In making every journey, the
ability of physicians to reach people
quickly in cases of necessity, and we
believe that you will say that the pro-
posed plan, If carried into execution,
would give the greatest possible inn
petus to all concerned with the least
real cost.
But perhaps you might agree that
The good roads might be of great ad-
to the farmer, and be yet of
little advantage to the people of the
town. / ask, Ibid good roads do any
hing for Jackson?" A leading citizen
If that city said that Jackson has had
jhe greatest boom in her history since
The building of good roads. In the
rear 1900 Jackson had population OF
/ little more than 1900, now it is
estimated to have
population of $4,000. There are few
,r no houses for rent, builders are busy
ind the city to-day is one OF the most
beautiful in the State.
1t is also an evident fact that the
cost of living in towns would be great
y diminished by good roads, for wood I
Ind lumber could more easily be
to town, and all food products
,ould be marketed with much less ex-
,ense, allowing the farmer to sell
more cheaply Add these advantages
70 the increased value Of town proper
~, larger trade Of merchants, brought
bout by system of good roads, and
We feel that every one must say that
,he city man is an equal partner in
he benefits of this great enterprise.
Now, since all are equally interest
I'd. let each cooperate with the other
o make it possible to inaugurate this
In cur own county, coun-
" so we'll lowered by nature that if
We had good roads it would be one of
he richest and most desirable in the I
State. We have already seen how the |
rood road would enrich a community
md have discussed other material adj
1antages offered by having proper
highways intersecting our county.
But aside from the question of wealth (.
Ind Of material advantages, there is a
which should appeal to
very one of all professions and trades.
There is the satisfaction and peace of