Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1916-08-10
GOOD ROAD TALK. :

Mr.. Editor: | know OF no pub
Iic interests which now need at
tention more than does the pub
lie roads OF this county, 1t seems
that there is an apparent indif-
ference on the part OF those in
power to an extent-not inten-
tional, ! take it. butnevertheless
it exists. 1t seems that there is
a spirit on the part OF our peo-
pie to the effect that the condi-
ton OF the roads has sufficed for
those Of the past, and it is good
enough for US and our posterity.
Our county, one OF the very best
in North Carolina, has been es-
tablished nearly seventy years,
and thousands OF ourforefathers
have passed away after having
put in their allotted time on the
public roads of Watauga county,
just as we are doing, yet without
regard to the very best grades
possible, and the permanency of
the work done, when done, by wi
denining, macadamizing, drain
ing, culverting and bridging,
hence nothing but a repetition
OF the same sort of work goes on
and at the same rate will be for
time indefinite.
The country on all sides of us
is awake. Why not we? By ref
erence to Chap. 122, public laws
of 1918, Sec. 1; also the Acts OF
1915, Chap. 237, and Gregory's
Biennial Revisal, 1915. Sec. g..
691, we can see at a glance that
the legislature has prepared a
way by which we can, if we only
will, Rave not only a temporary
but a permanent good condition
Of our public roads throughout
our entire county. Boone being
the center Of the county. andpre-
sumed to take the lead and place
an example before US for the bet
terment OF our public condition,
why not, under these provisions.
Boone take the first steps, and ii
it will do is and start out the
work from that pointfor the per-
fecting of road conditions, then
l have no doubt that o III 9 7
townships will follow and within
a very few years have our public
roads in such condition that al
ter having Travelled double the
distance one would not beso wor-
ried as under present conditions
after having Travelled hall the
distance. [Good suggestion this,
but the writer will take notice
that Boone has. since the heavy
rains taken over $4,000 in stock
in the B. 4 B. R. Turnpike, for
the sole purpose ofgiving an out
let for our people, not wholly
as an investment. We consider
the pattern laid for the remain.
der of the county.-Democrat. ]
Take the public road leading
from Cove Greek TO Boone, a dis
tance Of only eight or ten miles
and one can ordinarily travel q
distance OF 20 to 80 miles on the
roads Of Avery county wi t h
much more ease and in a very
much shorter time. and with
double tue weight, all because o.
the difference in the condition o.
the two roads, notwithstanding
Avery being an infant and Wa
tauga being of full age and as
serting her real manhood, al
though shall not assert that w
should attempt to take on too
much burden, and particularly i
we were so youngasis is oursplen
did neighbor-Avery.
Ihave no other object in view
than that we may 60 to think
ing for our very best public in
terest with regard to our roads
as these are the most used I %
all purposes for the whole peo
pie than almost any other ont
improvement in a country ant
further that we may 90 forwar(