The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-02-18
Movement in Interest of
Better Highways.
VIRGINIA ALIVE TO IMPORT.
ANCE OF GREAT WORK.
Gov. Swanson Makes Stirring
Speech Before Good Roads
Convention, Urging Greater
Interest and Activity on the
Part Of the People in Build
ing and Maintaining Better
Systenfsof Public Highways.

Our friends over in Virginia appear
to be alive to the interest of good
roads. Many miles have been built
in Il number OF counties and Others
are planning to follow the good ex-
ample thus set. Last week Good
Roads convention was held in Rich
mOnd and the reports made were
altoger her encouraging Gov. Swan
son was the principi SPEAKER. ard
from his speech as printed in the
News Leader we make the following
extract:
There are two features of Sta,e de-
velupment in which have earnestly
interested myself and giver ny best
efforts since my induction into the
office OF Governor. and these are the
increased educational advantages
and facilities and the betterment of
our highways There is nothing that
has been accomplished in my admin
istration, nothing that gives me
more pride and pleasure than the
great progress made in these two di-
rectiOns.
The educational awakening in this
State in recent years has been amaz-
ing and the results achieved have far
surpassed the anticipations of the
most sanguinc City, town, village
aud country have all been stirred and
made rapid strides towards superior
educational facilities. Splendid
schOOlhOuses, increased attendance,
better teachers, longer terms. bear
testimony everywhere to the splendid
work accomplished. The benefits to
the State On account of this have
been immense. The superior educa-
ton Of the children who will control
the future destiny of this State has
been mari ed. Wherever good schools
and suitable school houses have been
erected property has Immediately ad-
vancrd and the increased taxes de-
rived from this source will more than
compensate the expenditure made
The day is fast approaching when the
public school system of Virginia will
be surpassed by that of no State of
the Union. The campaign for better
and higher education in Virginia has
been won, and the day of its complete
victory only delayed.
1t is important now for the best in
terest of the State that the move
ment for the improvements of the pub
lie roads should be accelerated and
made to keep pace with the educa-
tioaI movement. Many of the diff
cultles heretofore confronting such a
the State in the last two years has
been making rapid strides in this di-
rectiOn, which are very hopfeul, and
if continued will result in great bene-
fits and blessings. Heretofore the
State had no road department., spe-
officially interested in road improve
ments; no source from which counties
and local authorities could procure
scientific information and well-equip-
ped and competent engineers. This
has been eliminated and the State
has wisely created a road department.,
with capable officials, and any COM
munity desiring to improve or con-
struct roads can get scientific infor-
nation, and procure free of cost the
services of competent persons. fully
equipped in road-building This will
enable the counties to save the loss
which has heretofore occurred by i'm
proper and unscientific construction.
WORK THE JAILBIRDS.
The State has passed laws utilizing
its convicts in the construction and
Improvement of it's public highways.
This has resulted in great good and
there should be a further extension
OF this system. The working of con-
victs on the roads has enabled the
public to receive compensation for