The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1914-01-16

t
adjourned until 200 pm. Upon
reconyening, the resolution COM
mittcc was appointed. consisting
Of Messrs. Abbey, Pentecost, Rob-
inson Gwin, Owen and Hammer,
who retired to consider the reso-
lutlOns which were referred 10
them.
Mr.. j. c. Clair, Industrial and
Immigration Commissioner OF the
Illinois Central Railroad Company,
was then introduced and address
ed the convention upon the sub
Jet Of Good Roads, and specially
emphasized the great good to be
derived from main central high
ways, that could be easily tapped
with nrighborhood lines, giving
all parties the benefit at a mini
mum Of expense. He stated that
the Company he represented stood
ready at all times to foster and
assist in every way practical all
such enterprises. He spoke OF
the enormous cost Of the initial
transportation Of farm all pro-
ducts, the cost from the farm to
railroad, with bad roads being
about twenty to thirty cent, per
ton per mile "a compared with
the cost of railroad transportation
Of less than one cent per ton per
mile, but, with good roads, the
wagon haul can be reduced to
about eight to ten cents per ton
per mile, and in many instances,
less. Mr.. tlair's speech was
punctuated with much wit and a
great amount of good sense. He
was heartily in favor of using the
convicts in constructing the high
ways, and he thought the con-
Struction OF the one designated in
the call for this convention, first
of all. was particularly desirable,
because it would undoubtedly be-
come a part Of an interstate line
between New Orleans and Mem
phis, which was very much to be
desired. Mr.. Glars remarks were
well received and heartily ap-
plauded.
The committee on resolutions
then announced that they were
ready to report, and presented
the following resolutions, which
were adopted, the Carroll county
delegates voting mo-;
Whereas, there are more State
cOnviCts on the State farms for at
least nine months each year than
are required, or than can be used
p~r0fItably in the operation and
conduct Of the State farms, and
whereas, public convenience re.
CURES, and the development OF
the great agricultural interests Of
Mississippi demand the construc-
ton Of modern improved public
highways, and whereas a main
highway north and south through
the State should be run along
such route as would prove avail
able TO the delta section and the
western part Of the hill section Of
the State. therefore,
Be it resolved by the people of
the counties Of T%allahatchie, L.
flore, Holmes and Madison, in con-
ventlon assembled, that we favor
the use Of such surplus convict la
Dor in the construction Of main
public highways in the State Of
Mississippi, and respectfully urge
and request that the Senators and
Representatives Of the counties
named favor the enactment of
a law authorizing such use Of the
surplus convicts, and that they
use all honorable means at their
command to accomplish this re-
suit.
Be it further resolved that one
of the main highways to be con-
structed should be between larks-
dale and the city of Jackson,
through the counties Of Coahoma,
Tallahatchie, Leflore, Holmes,
Madison and Kinds, passing
through the cities and towns OF
Clarksdale, Tutwiler, Sumner,
Webb, Glendora, Minter City,
Schlater, Shellmound, Greenwood,
Cruger, Lexington, Tchula, Pick
ems and Canton, with branch lines
from the most practical points to
the State farms at Parchman and
Belmont. This route is desirable
from many view points, some of
which are:
First. 1t is on high level ground,
susceptible of construction at a
minimum cost, and is not subject
to overflow.
Second. Such a route can be
easily tapped with short lateral
lines to and from the hills.
Third. BY the adoption of the
route named for one of the main
highways, the cost would be con-
siderably reduced, by reason of
the fact that the Humphreys High
way, now being constructed be.
tween She|lmound aud the hills,
through Greenwood, under the
supervision of the United States
Government, at a cost of 1885,
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