The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-06-14

land equity. therefore. everybody
should contribute TO the cost OF their
construction and maintenance burt
an equal distribution of this cost can
not be secured under State laws and
methods of taxation. Our national
| revenues are raised largely from
duties, paid on consumption, and are
| thus more equally distributed anon
! the people. Hence, an appropriation
| of money from the Federal treasury
| to bUiid and improve our roads would
/ force every consumer to bear a pro-
! portion of the cost. 1t is not asked
| that the Government bear the whole
cost, but only a part of it: and this
| IS the only method whereby we may
hope to secure a national system OF
improved roads. with an equitable
distribution of their cost among those
sharing in their benefits and bless
ings.
Mr.. President, the amendment /
have offered does not increase the
amount of the appropriation made in
the post-office bill. II merely pro-
poses TO divert from the sum appro-
priated for the rural delivery service
the small amount of $500. 600. to be
used as provided in the amendment.
do not undertake TO lay down any
rule, or prescribe any Of the details
by which the money NAV be expend-
ed 1t is proposed to leave kat to
the cooperation of the post-Office and
agricultural authorities. They were
selected in order to have the benefit
CT the experiments that have been
made by the good roads division of
the Agricultural Department and the
experience and knowledge of the ru-
raj delivery division in the Post-Of-
fee Department The methods and
means of putting into operation the
rural delivery service was left to the
Postmaster-General, and so were the
means of putting into effect and
operation the irrigation system left
TO the Interior Department
This appropriation seeks to ascer-
tain a practical demonstration of the
effect of road Improvement in the
rural delivery service in cooperation
with the States and counties, and the
benefits and advantages tC the ser
vice by reason of the Improvement I
do not believe any efforts as to de-
tails in the execution OF this plan
ceUfd be prescribed by law.
A number of States, under their
make appropriations for road con-
strlction and nGintena7ce. Ths
State of Alabama is in this sitTa-
ton: but the last legislature. realiz-
ing the great Importance of public
roads, and the inadequacy of present
methods TO improv e and maintain
them, submitted an amendment to
the constitution. authorizing apprO- |
priations for road construction. which |
will doubtless be adopted by the peo- |
pie at the polls in November. In
that event. Alabama will at once be
able TO contribute its share, in CO.
operation with the National Govern |
meRt. along the lines of the amend |
ment ] nave submitted TO the pend |
ing post-office bill in the improve |
ment of the roads in every county in |
that State. The State OF Kentu"E~ !
will vote this year on similar |
to their constitute and
perhaps there are other States. |
where the constitution does not per
nit the use of public funds for in
ternal Improvement
Our people should receive govern
mental assistance in their struggles,
as far as the legitimate functions of
government Will permit. No more
urgent and acceptable aid can be eX-
tended than liberal appropriation
for improving our roads. This would
prove a benefit to our cities and a
blessing TO our rural districts. Many
modern improvements have con-
tributed TO the amelioratiOn . the
hardships of farm life, but much re-
mains vet to be done. Good roads
will add more than any other one
thing Give cur farmers GOOD roads,
and with the telephone and rural de
livery bringing him in easy contact
with the outside world and with his
daily intercourse with nature. he
will prove the most prosperous and
,ontented and patriotic citizen on the
A uaarfcap continent
Mr. President. | am -~-'-'--- plea
'or the farmers. net because they are
better than any other class Of our
peoDle. but because they are 80 90
They do not ask eO~ snecial favOrs,
put demand a square deal and fair
treatment. II
Mr. President. the educational side
Of the question is sufficient to con-
troll my action, if no other interests
we're involved. A system of efficient
public schools can never be maintain
ii until the roads in the rural dis
-ricts are improved. until the dis
graceful cabin. now used % . scheol
house. gives place 10 more impos-
ng structure located in centers r.
over which waves the
s Or 80 Our cOun+-V inSnirin0 conf