The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-29
FUQUAY ENDORSES THE
 OVERTON AMENDMENT
Former Mayor of Alexander City Is anch Advocate of Any Practical Plan That nsures Better Roads for the Rural Districts, Enhances Value of Farm Properties and
 Makes Farmers Generally More Prosperous.
BY JOHN J. THORNTON.

brought before the people of Alabama for settlement at the polls which has more to do with the immediate benefit to every citlzen than this proposed overton amend ment to the constitution, which provides that the net proceeds of the state convict fund be applied to the construction, re- pair and maintenance of public roads, and that the legislature may also make additional appropriations for that purpose.
 'I was born and reared Is miles out in the country upon a rugged half-kept to conceive how any thoughtful country land owner. tenant or wage hand could withhold his hearty support from this Overton amendment.
 Tt IS also impossible for me to conceive how any merchant, business or profes- sional man, doing business in a town de- pendent upon country trade, could think for one moment of depriving the agricul- tural classes of improved highways by casting his vote against this amendment, for it is fact that the towns and cities of Alabama prosper only in exact ac- cordance with the conditions of the sur rounding country from which they draw their trade; hence the old adage:
 " Prosperous farmers-hourishing towns l" Starving farmers-damn poor towns"
 Tt is also fact that in other states, and certain counties in this state where good roads nave been built, the values of land increase from 50 to 300 per cent. The farmers become more contented and happy with these comfortable surroundings their farms and stock raising self-sustaining because contentment is the mother of happiness and frugality. Such farms and such surroundings aod many thousands of dollars more in taxes to the general treasury for the maintenance of schools and other needed appropriations.
 Tt is deplorable fact that in the march of events we observe hundreds and thousands Of sturdy farmers leaving their farms ana Hooking into the towns. This IS the suicidal act of industrial economy ard there is deep laid cause for such an industrial death. l will ask the reader to do as 1 have done, for l have tried to De thoughtful as well as observant Ask these farmers why It is they have left the farm and have come to live in town. Nine-tenths of them will say their farm- ing interest is so handicapped and encum- bered with roads almost impossible, mak- irg life in the country an effort in gals of misery, their schools and churches a niakeshift. From inconvenience they have decided to move to town to educate their children and tr.- to make living some low Mark that word, for I have heard men of stamina use it with that degree of the pathetic that would appeal to the fine sensibilities of the demagog who clamors to make the laws that are to govern the uestinies of these plain coun- try people. Somehow! Somehow! Just think of it.
 T again repeat. Contentment is the mother of happiness and frugality If we build public highways the agricultural in- tegrity of Alabama can be preserved. Then contentment, the mother queen, will sit entnroned, and happiness and fru- gality will be insured to the agricultural classes of Alabama. When this end is at tained every plowshare and every wheel of providence will turn, beautiful churches and school houses will go up like magic in the country and the present order of events will reverse. Inousanus of the young men and women who live in towns and cities will seek the country home of such environments, with it's delightful have been focking to the towns to edu- cate their children and to make living
 somehow somehow"
 .'Yes, l state with emphasis, the Over- ton amendment must be ratified into law"