The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-03-30
The Announcement of Mr. Brdx-
ton BeaChdm for Congressman at
LARGE from the State of Florida


service, have had to be abandoned.
The evolution of the government
has been towards a better under
standing of the needs of the Union.
The perfection of the Union OF the
several states can only come through
a perfect understanding of the many
parts and an equal care for the
needs of the varied sections.
| Powers Of Congress and Road Build.
ing.
1t has always been admitted that
congress may lay taxes to build and
improve lighthouses. public docks
and all such properties. whereof the
United States is to hold the title.
The general improvement of har-
bors, on the other hand, the consti-
tuition meant to leave to the states.
allowing each to cover the expense
Dy levying tonnage duties. The
practice for years corresponded with
i this. The inland commonwealth,
however, as they were admitted,
Justly regarded this unfair. unless
offset by governments aid to them
lin the construction of roads, canals
and riverways.
II may be mentioned. also. that
the war of 1912, revealed the need
of better means Dor direct communi-
cation with the remote sections OF
the Union. Transportation to De.
troit had cost fifteen cents per pound
Of ammunition. $50 per barrel for
-four. All admitted that improved
internal routes were necessary. The
question was whether the general
government had a right to construct
them without amendment to the
constitution. The wings. like the
old federalists. affirmed such right,
appealing to congress power to es-
!tablish post roads, wage war. super
wise interstate trade, and conserve
the common defense and general
welfare. As a rule the democrats have
always denied such right. Some of
them justified outlay upon national
rivers and commercial harbOrs un-
der the congressional power of rails
ing revenue and regulating COM
mcrce Others conceded the right
.Silness of subsidies to states even
for lettering inland routes. Treas
ury surplus at times, and the money
appropriations which, by common
consent, had been made under Mon
roe and later for the old national
road. encouraged the whig cOnten-
ton, but the whole question was
taken out of politics by the rise Of
the railroad system after 1892. The
national road had, however. been
built across Ohio and Indiana on its
way to st. Louis, and was made over
in 1880 to the states through whicn
II passed.
This. in brief. is the history Of a
measure OIL the greatest import 70
the nation, which at one time was
to the fore, and has been left In the
background only because, in the
rapid development of national re-
sources other measures have seemed
the more important. 1t must be I'M
derstoOd that this Is not 4 measure
that any party. not even for party
success, has declared without the
pale of the constitution and as not
belonging within the function OF the
national government.
Good Roads Again to the Fore.
My contention is, that the growth
OF the country and the consequent,
new needs OF our day demand the
giving of this great measure It's
proper perspective. Ii cannot be
successfully denied that the future
happiness, cOntentment and pros
pcrity OF the American people de-
ponds more ON good roads than on
any other type o. construction for
INSTRUMENTATION. | do not b,,-
lleNc. at this time, with the already
constructed railroads, that any adj
ditional number of railroads would
mean SO much to any large section
OF this country as system of thor
oughly modern highways would
mean to the people, and no other en-
dcavor would be ireighted with
greater possibilities for increasing
the wealth of the country people.
Rome made an empire-not SO much
by the Roman sword as by the net
work of Roman roads.
N one will take any single coun-
ty in this great state. in the less
favored section of the state, and will |
make q calculation in the saving of
teams and vehicles. the increase in |
the tonnage Of hauling, the increase
In the number of trips per day, the |
greater cOntentment on the part of
the rural population. the culture,
from ease oil communication with
centers where women and children
can observe the habits and customs
of more advanced civilization, l am |
persuaded that such an one will con-
clude that the greatest need of our
great state, at this time is more
extended and better highways. II
am persuaded that the bringing of |
this issue as factor in the build |
ing of the nation before the congress
OF the United States will be the
playing of part in the political de-
'elopment of our government. as in
portant and as beneficial as any
played by our great father in the
more formative period of the nation |
and of the constitution. I, therefore,
come be.bre the people of this COM