The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1910-09-08
GOOD ROADS;
GOOD SCHOOLS
BETTER HIGHWAYS MEAN MUCH
TO COMMUNITY.
CHEAPER TRANSPORTATION
AND IN MANY OTHER WAYS CON-
TRIBUTE TO PROSPERITY.

advantages of good roads Vas written
for the National Grange by Logan
Waller Page:
A person rarely takes to a propO-
sitiOn until he is convinced Of its
merits, or that it will have a benefi-
cial effect on his interests. This is
true in every line of business and in
every phase of life, and it is espec-
tally true when the proposition in
wolves the expenditure of money and
labor. The improvement of our pub
lie roads requires the expenditure of
both money and labor for improving
our roads first of all must be
convinced that it will inure to their
beneficial interests and general well
fare.
This has been one of the greatest
obstacles to road Improvement. After
more than ten years Of active cam
paigning to emphasize the necessity
for the work, it's Importance has not
been fully realized by the people. Some
of them, in fact, many OF them,
thoroughly appreciate the vast eco
nomic and social advantages which
will result from good roads, but the
majority do not. A reversal of this
majority will be the greatest achieve
ment yet attained by the agitation for
road improvement and the only meth
cd whereby that may be accomplished
is through a systematic education Of
the people as to the benefits which
will accrue to them.
The advantages of good roads ex-
tend to every citizen, whether he lives
in city or country; and to every en-
terprise, whether it be agricultural,
manufacturing, or mining. All are
more or less dependent on the COM
mon highways as an avenue of the
commercial transportation, and in
proportion as these highways are i'm
proved so as to facilitate t~ransporta-
ton they are benefited thereby.
These benefits have been carefully
computed and estimated in dollars and
cents, and so enormous have they
been thus demonstrated to be that
they present a convincing argument
to any thinking man of the Importance
and necessity for road Improvement.
But there are other elements of
advantage which more urgently re
commend the improvement of our
roads. Advantages which deserve
far more serious consideration than
any financial advantages which we
may gain, and which cannot be meas
ured according to any monetary stan
dard, but must be looked for in the
elevation of our citizenship and the
moral and intellectual advancement
Of our people.
Most of our cities and towns have
good streets and Crivevays, which IA
~cilitate business and recreation. The
people live close together and social
and friendly intercourse is easy. The
schools and churches are within easy
reach of all. So our urban population
has ample facilities for business. for
recreation. for social intercourse and
for attendance upon church and the
school.
1t is different, however, with two
thirds of u people who are engaged
in agricultural pursuits and live away
from the centers Of business and pop
ulation. They have not the paved
streets and good roads of the cities
and towns. They live apart from each
other and have no roads such as af-
ford easy and convenient means Of
~transacting business. Of social inter
course, and regular attendance upon
church and school. To them will flow
the maximum of benefits from i'm
proved roads. Improved roads will
bring them in closer touch with the
centers of progress. 1t will give them
enlarged ideas and assist them 70
adopt the new methods which are 30
necessary for them to keep pace with
the march of progress along other
lines, and as they advance so will
Il civilization. AS they advance %
will u entire country, and in co al
ratio.
Good roads would revolutionize our
country schools. Contrast the lot OF
the country child on his way to school
in winter with hat of the city child
with a few blocks Of paved streets TO
walk. Our country child, with satchel
over shoulders and lunch basket in
hand, must leave the cheerful fireside
OF home from half an hour to an hour
before school opens i'm order to be
there on time. The roads are wet and
muddy many months of the year. The
country is open and the cold winds
are unmerciful in their attacks upon
him. So that, by the time he reaches
the school house, which is often
ullSClenClICdlly ventilated ana poorly
heated, his feet are so cold and his
body so chilled that he is unfit for
study or recitation during most of the
day, and the exposure and chilling of
the body invite pneumonia and other
diseases.
These conditions cause broken and
irregular attendance. They create an
aversion in the child for the school
room instead of a pride in punctual
attendance and studious advancement.
Not only this, but a mother hates to
see her children trot off t o school two
or three miles away in cold, bad
weather. She fears that the injur-
ious effects upon the body from the
exposure will do greater harm than
the beneficial effects upon the mind
will do good. She realizes that a Wig
orous mind al only dwell in a healthy
body, and that II will be a misdirected
exercise OF maternal care to force
her children to school under condi-
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